The house felt a little empty for a few days after my son's return to his Northern home. School restarting occupied us however.

The new social worker made the trek North a week into January to visit my son's home, this passed without incidence although I have some personal reservations. She, in turn, produced a report on each of my children that contained no real surprises, just one challenge, her ideas about future contact. I was praised, however, several times.

I waited until the ex mother-in-law's statement arrived before I started work on my court document. She had grudgingly agreed I was doing a much better job of looking after my daughter than the ex, but then tried to stir it by saying I was a cross-dressing alcoholic who had been suspected of 'certain things'.

Of course it was the ex m-i-l who had first told social services I was a danger to the very kids I am protecting. These days she claims she only found out very late how bad things were at the former marital home so hadn't been able to say anything before the custody hearing last August. Poppycock.

In the meantime, during January, I was made Health & Safety Officer of my daughter's school PTA and asked to become a governor (school board member). As part of this I have to be vetted. No problem.

From mid January I started receiving mail at my home but addressed to the ex. I recognised the return address as the main UK offices of GE. I didn't open any of the envelopes but knew they contained invoices or final demands, unfortunately I didn't know who they were from exactly, GE processes accounts for multiple companies.

I forwarded the first envelope to the ex, and asked my solicitor to send the next two via her own solicitor. I also wrote to the address to find out what I could. I had a reply a few days ago, the UK credit card arm of an Iberian bank, have acknowledged they were writing to the ex (we share the same initial and surname so there was room for doubt) but they couldn't fix the address without her written agreement. I've replied asking for evidence to support the change of address that prompted all this mail. If she did it deliberately then it is fraud. Simple as that.

I finalised my own court statement after meeting up with my solicitor. We have emphasised that this needs to be the end of the process, for the sake of the children. The SW agrees completely. The ex won't accept she's lost them.

My statement was pretty simple but laid into the ex m-i-l over her questionable support for false accusations over the past three years.

I collected my son from Euston Station in London on Saturday and brought him to the coast for a few days. The following morning we left, with his sister, for a trip to see their mother and nan. Well, that was the idea as the ex didn't show. We've had no excuse and I'm not digging for one. My son was rather proud as he had predicted that would happen, he is as disenfranchised as a kid can get.

What concerned me was that this day trip occupied ten hours, eight travelling and two visiting. Not ideal for nine and twelve year olds. I have flagged this with the SW and my solicitor.

My son returns North on Thurs or Friday, to be decided. I was then due in court for a three day hearing on Monday 21st. We have whittled down the issues to two main ones (residence and contact) and all agree one day is enough. Then today the court says our booked time isn't available so it all goes back to March 8th.

So another few weeks. Maybe the ex will have sold the house by then? Maybe.

Topsy