Note: this chapter contains homophobic views.

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"Mr and Mr Panayiotou-Jones?" The headteacher, Mrs Lowry, peers around her office door, to see the men sitting in the waiting area on chairs. Her gaze then flits to Esme's parents. "Mr and Mrs Cartwright?" The four parents rise from their seats, following Mrs Lowry into the office. She offers all of them their own chairs in front of her desk, before getting settled into hers behind it. "So, do you all know why you're here today?"

"I think we do," Esme's mother, Tanya, remarks sarcastically. "But I'm not saying it."

"Tanya," Esme's father, Marcus, warns her. "Stop it."

"Don't tell me what to do," Tanya demands under her breath. She looks back at Mrs Lowry, smiling in an exaggerated manner. "Where's our darling daughter?"

"The students will be present shortly," Mrs Lowry informs her. "Mrs Hall has just gone to get them from their class. They've got a substitute this afternoon, so she can be present for the meeting."

"Lovely," George comments, relieved that someone who actually bore witness to Esme's nasty words will at least be able to fend for him and his family. "I hope Kieran has had a nice day today."

"Hopefully he hasn't been too nervous about this meeting," Levi adds.

"So," Mrs Lowry continues, opening up the file which is already sat in front of her. "Just before the students get here, I'd like to just quickly run over a thing or two. Mrs Cartwright, would you consider yourself a homophobic individual?"

"Absolutely not," Tanya responds. "Just truthful."

George folds his arms across his chest, glancing up at the ceiling nonchalantly. "And there lies the problem," he murmurs.

"What did you say?" Tanya challenges.

George snaps his gaze to the snarky woman. "I said—"

"Ah! Kieran! Esme!" Mrs Lowry interrupts, on cue, inviting the young students to sit down with their parents. "It's lovely to see the pair of you."

"Hello, mate," Levi greets his son. "You alright?"

Kieran nods, not wanting to respond verbally as not to disturb the silence among the group while they get settled. He looks to Esme, who is seemingly just as nervous for this discussion as himself — though he acknowledges, in essence, it is potentially worse for Esme because she is the one in trouble.

"Take a seat, Mrs Hall," Mrs Lowry says, before averting her eyes back down to the documents before her. "Okay, now we're all here, let's get started properly. So, the first report of Esme making comments about Kieran's fathers was right at the start of the new school year — a few days into September. Is this correct?"

"It is," George answers. "I got pulled aside by Mrs Hall after school to tell me what had happened."

"And what did happen?" Mrs Lowry looks to Kieran, gently encouraging him to speak. "Kieran, would you like to tell us what happened."

"Um." Kieran flits his gaze to the side, to try and recall the day. "Esme saw my daddies walking out of the school together, a-and she said it was weird for someone to have two daddies. And that it's bad for them to love each other."

"This is true," Mrs Hall agrees. "I was actually present when these comments were made. Actually, during the class, I explained to the students that love is acceptable no matter who you love. I told them that a man can love a man; a woman can love a woman; or a man can love a woman."

"Yeah," Esme adds. "Mrs Hall drew stick people on the whiteboard with her pens."

"Well remembered, Esme," Mrs Hall praises. "That's exactly what I did."

"But the comments didn't stop, did they, Esme?" George intervenes. "You carried on saying things, despite knowing it wasn't very nice."

"Don't talk down to my daughter like that," Tanya snaps. "It's not your job."

"Don't feed her lies about people in my community, then," George retorts, maintaining his composure excellently. "That's not your job either."

"It is if it's affecting her education, like this," she hits back.

"Please, Tanya," Marcus whispers. "Don't do this."

"Anyway." Mrs Lowry clears her throat, as a means of diverting the conversation back in a peaceful direction. "Kieran, was there any other times Esme made these comments about your fathers?"

"Yeah," Kieran replies. "She did it at lunch time one time. She said the same stuff again. And then she said some stuff last week after school — when I was waiting for Daddy to come and pick me up."

"This is the time I overheard her myself," George explains. "She was saying the same old, same old stuff about how Kieran shouldn't have two fathers. And she was saying that I only have a bad job because I'm gay, or something crazy like that. I don't even dislike my job to begin with." He laughs a little, unsure on how the two subjects correlate.

"Don't say that word around my daughter," Tanya snaps again.

"What word?" Levi asks, genuinely bewildered by her statement. He glances to George, who appears to already know exactly what Tanya is insinuating. "Wait, really?"

"You know "gay" isn't even a bad word?" George informs her sternly. "It's literally a term to describe myself and my husband."

"Exactly." Tanya laughs, as though George's words serve to solidify her point. "All of it is exactly what's wrong with the world. That's why I'm so angry that Kieran would report all of this and get my baby girl into trouble. It's disgusting."

"Actually, Mrs Cartwright," Mrs Hall interrupts. "Kieran is the victim in all of this. And so are Mr and Mr Panayiotou-Jones. It is yours and Esme's damaging viewpoints that are to blame for this mess. And besides, Kieran didn't report it at any point. I overheard Esme's initial comments, and Mr Panayiotou-Jones overheard her later comments. It was my decision to file the report about it."

"So you're just as much to blame," Tanya hisses. "Teachers like you should be fired. You're no good for these poor kids you're "teaching"." She uses her fingers to create inverted commas to emphasise the latter word.

"Mrs Cartwright, you're being blatantly homophobic to another student's parents," Mrs Hall explains calmly. "This is definitely a cause for concern in and of itself. But the fact you clearly show no remorse for this attitude is even more concerning, and does not set a good example for your daughter."

"My daughter is just fine, thank you." Tanya scoffs, looking to her child. "Aren't you, Bubba?"

Esme nods sheepishly, simply wanting to appease her mother to avoid any potential repercussions. She looks over at Mrs Lowry, deciding to talk herself. "Mummy shouted at Kieran after school last week, and said that it was his fault."

"No I did not," Tanya lies. "Hasn't Mummy told you not to tell lies, Esme?"

"She's not lying," George defends. "I walked into the school grounds to collect Kieran, and saw everything."

"Bullshit!" Tanya asserts.

"Mrs Cartwright, please watch your language," Mrs Lowry demands softly. "Children present."

"I don't care!" Tanya huffs. "I'm being lied about. And by my own daughter, too."

"Actually, Mrs Cartwright," Mrs Hall begins to elaborate, "I overheard this too. You were so loud outside the classroom, that I heard you from inside the classroom. And I must comment that you were using language that is just not suitable for little ears."

"So was this piece of work!" Tanya points to George. "He was cursing like there's no tomorrow."

"I covered Kieran's ears so he wouldn't hear me," George defends. "And besides, I wasn't talking half as loud as your foghorn mouth was."

"You've got some fucking nerve," Tanya responds.

"Mrs Cartwright!" Mrs Lowry repeats. "Please refrain from using foul language."

"Please, Tan," Marcus chimes in again. "It's really not worth the hassle. You need to calm down, otherwise they're not going to take what you say seriously."

"And what about you, Mr Cartwright?" Mrs Lowry averts her eyes to Esme's father. "What are your views on this situation?"

"I think it's getting out of hand," Marcus admits. "I think it shouldn't have started to begin with. Truth be told, I've never agreed with what my wife has been telling our daughter. But when somebody is so stuck in their ways, it's hard to get them to change their mind. You know?"

"Finally, a voice of reason," George sighs, relieved. "It's reassuring, to say the least."

"I'm so sorry this is happening, mate," Marcus apologises. "Trust me when I say, I've had absolutely no part in this. In fact, I've been trying to tell Esme the opposite of what her mother has been saying."

"Well, we really appreciate that," Levi answers graciously. "It's a shame that there's people who think that what myself and Kieran's father have together is a bad thing."

"Exactly," George adds. "So thank you for standing up for us and speaking against your delusional missus."

"Did you just call me delusional?" Tanya gasps, over-dramatically. "This dickhead did not just call me delusional."

"I believe I did, actually," George responds. "Because you think the world is going to bow down to you and your views. My husband and I love each other dearly, and unfortunately, there's nothing that you or any other homophobic person can do about it."

"You reckon?" Tanya challenges.

"I reckon," George retorts. "I'm sorry if it's not the answer you wanted, but in my eyes, this meeting doesn't seem to be going in the direction you wanted it to."

"You're testing every single last one of my nerves," Tanya states, visibly seething with rage. "You think you're so amazing. Like you're god's gift."

"I've never once said that," George corrects her. "But I suppose, if you were to look in the mirror, you could say that. You just need to take a long, hard think about everything. Evaluate where your hate comes from, and change it. It's not difficult to be accepting of other people."

"It is when it's you I'm supposed to be accepting," she snipes. "You're a piece of work."

"You're getting boring now," George laughs. "Just because you can't accept that you're wrong about this. You just can't swallow your pride and admit you're wrong, can you? It's immature, and as it's already been said, it's a very poor example on Esme."

"Being queer bastards is setting a poor example," Tanya spits. "Those poor kids of yours probably question where they went wrong in life to end up with you guys."

"I love my daddies," Kieran pipes up. "They're the best daddies I could ask for."

"Thank you, mate." Levi smiles. "We love you, as well."

"Our children have more love and security than they could ever have dreamed of," George assures her. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Esme, with a mother like you."

"Are you doubting my parenting skills?" Tanya demands. "Are you really fucking doubting them?"

"Love, in case you missed it — this entire meeting is to express the fact we doubt your parenting skills," George chuckles. "Or, should I say, lack of parenting skills."

"I've fucking had it with you!" Tanya yells, leaping from her seat seemingly out of nowhere. She makes a beeline for George, before grabbing hold of his collar and yanking him up off his chair. She tightens the neckline of his shirt around his neck, closing up his windpipes enough for him to splutter for air. "How dare you waltz in here and claim I'm an unfit parent to my daughter! And how dare you—"

"Mrs Hall, get security, quickly," Mrs Lowry exclaims, over the top of Tanya's outburst. "Mrs Cartwright, let go of Mr Panayiotou-Jones, immediately!"

Marcus leaps up to try and separate the pair. Levi also springs into action, desperately trying to pull the crazed woman away from his husband. He can hear her hurling abuse at George, and George is powerless due to his lack of ability to breathe.

"Let go of him! Get off him, now!" Levi demands.

Tanya pushes Levi away, resulting in him tumbling to the ground in shock. He is luckily uninjured, but is too stunned to react any further in aid of his partner. He turns his head to see the two children fearfully watching, as Tanya aggressively throws a punch at George's cheekbone. He jars from the impact, crying out from the pain shrilly. Tanya also forces Marcus away from her, causing him to fall back into a chair harshly. Thankfully, the school's security guard enters the room, tugging her away from George hurriedly. He collapses to the ground, gasping for air after his attack. Levi glances across at him, breathless in an entirely unique way. The two teachers; the two children; and Esme's father all observe in silence, until the latter is finally able to speak.

"I-I'm so sorry," he utters: even he is surprised at how his wife has behaved today. "I'm—I'm appalled at her. I really am."

"It's not your fault," Levi reassures him. "It's not your fault you married a psycho."

"Are you alright, mate?" Marcus asks George, helping him up from the floor. "I'm so sorry she did that to you. I didn't know she had that in her."

"It's fine," George responds, his voice strained from the assault. "I'm just glad she's gone, now. Although I'm fairly sure that punch she gave me is going to leave a mark."

"It does beg the question as to why you married that," Levi laughs. "I'm guessing she wasn't like this back then."

"Oh, she was," Marcus explains. "Well, not the violence. But she's always been strongly homophobic."

"That must be a nightmare to live with," George adds.

"Well, it won't be for much longer," Marcus assures them. "We've split up this last week or so. I'll be moving out soon. I can't handle her anymore." He flits his eyes to his beloved daughter. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this, Baby. But Mummy and Daddy don't love each other anymore. You've seen all the fighting, haven't you?"

Esme nods her head, painfully aware of the reality of what she's witnessed the last few months in her home. "Yes, Daddy."

"I'm so sorry you've had to see it all," Marcus apologises sadly. "But I love you so much, okay?"

"I love you too, Daddy." Esme hops off her seat, before heading to her father to give him a hug.

"Let me explain," Marcus begins, choosing to elaborate on his personal story. "I met Esme's mum about twelve years ago. She was always homophobic, even before she met me. I used to be the same, but now I feel very strongly about the LGBT community. You see, I went to prison back in the eighties for a homophobic attack. I was with a few mates back in Reading. We thought it was funny to chase after these two guys who were just minding their own business. And we just knocked the living daylights out of them. We got caught because some corner shop had CCTV which showed us on there. That was evidence enough, I guess. The numerous years of prison gives a guy plenty of time to think about what they caused, and how much they ruined someone's lives. If I could find them today, I'd tell them how sorry I am for what happened. I was a dumb kid back then. I've grown since."

George and Levi turn to look at one another at precisely the same time as each other; both their faces express all they need to say, without a single word being uttered. A silence falls over the room; the pause makes Marcus uneasy.

"Uh, did I say something out of turn?" he asks politely.

"... No," George answers, in total astonishment at what he's just heard.

"No, you didn't," Levi adds, just as surprised as his husband. "It's just a small world, that's all."

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Chapter twenty-five! Was that what you expected? xx