Sad news

I learned a few days ago that my brother David has split up with his long-term partner Tina. I was at my Mum's at lunchtime when he called. It was all over on Boxing day apparently and that now figures because Dave came round with the kids on his own. He's been in a bad way - drinking and not eating. They are still living under the same roof at the moment, although Tina has been staying with her Mum on and off. David keeps threatening to just move into a cheap dive somewhere in Southend for the sake of getting out but Mum obviously doesn't want that and offered to have him live back at theirs to perhaps save some money so he can put down a deposit on a flat. What a mess, although it could be worse if they had been married. It's a real shame especially when there's three children involved. Ebony is 11 and from Tina's previous relationship so she's already had enough upheaval in her life. Kasey is six and Ronnie is two.

I hope things aren't going to get awkward between them and that the split stays amicable for the sake of the children. It seems Tina has already been a bit vindictive as Mum was due to look after Ronnie last Thursday but she went over Dave's head and rearranged for her mum to babysit instead. I do hope she doesn't make it difficult for all of us to see the kids because we haven't done anything wrong.

I don't know what's going to happen now but at least Dave has been over to Mum and Dad's for a chat and a good feed. He is still trying to cope with his twelve hour shift work, four days off, four days on with nights every other shift. He told Mum that he hadn't slept for 25 hours and was still working at machinery, then driving home from London he felt he was falling asleep at the wheel.
I know it sounds harsh but he has to get his act together - he won't do any favours for himself if he drinks heavily, he has to eat and sleep. If necessary, get signed off by the doctor.

So sad...