WEST COURT – NEWTON

WEST COURT – NEWTON

We eventually decided to look for a property to buy. We looked at so many properties and finally settled on West Court, Newton, West Lothian (Search with lawyers).

We had happy times there the girls enjoyed their visits and kept asking me if they could come more often. Hamish had always intimated that if I wanted a child that he would be willing out of marriage. I was not happy with that and I wanted to wait until we were married and also perhaps wait a short while after so that the girls would settle down and be part of the family. We were married at Abercorn Church on 7 December 1996. I asked the girls to be bridesmaids. They were thrilled and after that I asked them to come on honeymoon with their father and I. We went to South Africa (Cape Town and Jo’burgh) It was one of the best holidays we have had. We all had a fantastic holiday.

I spent every weekend with the girls. We would bike ride, walk through the Hopetoun Estate, Horse Riding at Tower Farm, Iclandic Riding in Carlops. We took out a membership at Dalmahoy Country Club and we swam there almost every weekend. I can only remember Hamish coming with us on three occasions in the 2/3 years we had a membership. There were many times when I had other arrangements at the weekend but Hamish always make it difficult for me to go out in the evening or during the days at the weekend. His usual excuse was the girls need you and your responsibilities are here with us.

Ruairidh was born on 8 January 2000 and at that time we were contemplating changing the girls’ schools. Hamish was not happy with them being so close to Fiona. The girls were moved to Kilgraston, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. (day pupils). At this time we encountered problems with Hamish’s ex wife. The girls wanted to spend more time with us and I have to say I was not entirely happy with this as I had not really anticipated looking after them on a full-time basis. Hamish did mention on quite a number of occasions that he wished them to live with him and that they would be better of in the long term. I can remember him saying he wished Fiona had been knocked down by a bus as she was such bad influence on the girls (there is supporting evidence in their divorce

and in the Child Residence Order to clarify all the history e.g. why the girls came to live with us.