#the dance moves? unlike anything weve seen before

[4giorno]

actually me watching the ringing evil phone mv just now

[camillemontespan]

jealous heart [drake walker x mc]

Pairing: Drake Walker & Camille (my MC in the game)

Synopsis: Camille goes in search of Drake in the palace library which also doubles as a bar, so obviously he can be found here. She finds him... and Kiara. But how can she be jealous when he isn’t even hers and she is still in the running to be Queen?

‘Okay, so today you are getting to know King Constantine and Queen Mother Regina. You need to show how much you want to be Queen and also show how much you have learned about Cordonia. This is a big day, Camille. Any issues and this will reflect on you, on House Beaumont, on our entire position in the competition.’ Bertrand was filling in Camille on today’s activities while she was trying on numerous outfits.  ‘Remember: you live and breathe Cordonia and are so grateful to be taken away from your old life as a waitress in New York-’ ‘But my old life wasn’t so bad-’ Bertrand held up a hand. ‘They don’t need to know that. Besides, you were a waitress in a dive bar and lived in a studio apartment.’ Camille’s shoulders sagged. She caught Maxwell looking at her, a pained expression on his face. ‘Bertrand, maybe I can take it from here,’ he said. ‘You go and deal with more pressing Beaumont affairs.’ Bertrand glared at him. ‘’This is a pressing Beaumont affair.’ Maxwell slyly pointed at Camille, who was staring at the floor. Bertrand turned pink. ‘I’m sorry Camille if I’ve upset you. Sorry. I’ll go.’  He left the room. Maxwell stepped closer to Camille.  ‘Camille, are you okay?’ She looked up at him and he saw with shock that there were tears in her eyes. ‘No, Maxwell. I’m not.’

She sat down shakily on the chaise-lounge and clasped her hands together. Maxwell sat down beside her. ‘What’s wrong? Is it because Bertrand said you lived in a studio apartment? I’ve heard those are very different to palaces.’ Camille shook her head. ‘No, although that did sting a bit. I just feel like my heart isn’t in this competition. Like, it’s somewhere else.’ ‘Somewhere else?’ Maxwell ventured. Camille sighed. ‘Someone else.’ Maxwell drew in a breath. ‘Um... can I ask who?’ He tried to push down the hope he had. He had had a small crush on Camille since he had gotten to know her. She was always kind to him and funny and treated him like he was worth something, unlike everyone else who viewed him as the village idiot.  ‘I’m falling for Drake,’ she said quickly, wanting to get the confession over with. Maxwell’s eyes widened. Forget his own feelings, she liked Drake! This was huge!  ‘Camille! How long have you liked him?!’ ‘A while... it’s been a slow burner.’  Maxwell gulped. ‘Would he make you happy?’ Camille looked at him, her eyes sad. ‘I think he would. I can be myself with him.’ ‘Does he know you like him?’ Camille broke eye contact and stared ahead of her. ‘He does. We’ve had... moments. But he seems to believe I’m delusional and that I can’t ever love him. That he doesn’t deserve to be loved.’ Maxwell frowned. He had never seen Drake as the type to be emotional. He always saw this sarcastic, frowning man who enjoyed whiskey a little too much and never wanted to join in with his dance parties. He closed his eyes and all thoughts about Camille ever liking Maxwell back were gone. Though he liked her, he could see now that he had been blind. He thought back to the moments when Camille would insist that Drake join her, Maxwell and Hana for a drink. Or the times in the ballroom when she would sit beside Drake in the corner while everyone else danced. Or even when Camille would be joking around with Hana and Maxwell would glimpse Drake looking at her, a faint smile on his lips.  It was so obvious now. And Maxwell wanted her to be happy.  ‘You should find him,’ he said. ‘Tell him again how you feel and how happy he would make you.’ She frowned at him. ‘What about House Beaumont?’ Maxwell smiled. It was typical of her to think of others before herself. It was one reason why he liked her. ‘We’ll manage. I’ll think of a money making idea to keep us afloat. I just want you to be happy.’ ‘But the competition... Liam...’ she whispered. ‘There’s so much riding on this.’ Maxwell shrugged. ‘Liam could always pick Olivia. Go find Drake.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘Thank you, Maxwell.’ He squeezed hers back ‘Go get him, tiger.’

She wandered round the palace trying to find him until she worked out that he must be in the library. The library also doubled as a bar, which made her want to kick herself because of course he would be in the bar.  With new resolve, she made her way to the library.  She entered and stopped short. She saw him instantly - her eyes always found him first in a crowded room. It was always the way. He was near the back facing her and was emptying his whiskey glass. She was about to walk over to him when she spotted another woman sit at his table, her back to Camille. The woman handed him another drink and Drake smiled at her, toasting his glass with hers. The woman looked to the side and Camille drew in a breath. It was Kiara. 

Kiara had admired Drake since the day of the barn raising when Drake had helped her from being hurt by a beam. This act of kindness and the fact he had also been shirtless at the time didn’t hurt. Camille had spotted it instantly and had tried to ignore it. She had mentioned to Drake that Kiara seemed to like him but he had frowned and said he wasn’t interested. Now, it looked like he was. She watched them as they spoke and Kiara let out a shrill laugh when he said something. Camille’s heart contracted which she hated. Drake could spend time with other girls. He didn’t belong to her and she had no right to be jealous, especially when she was still in the competition to be Queen.  She watched as Kiara leant forward and pushed a stray lock of hair out of Drake’s eyes. He caught her hand and placed it back on the table but it was enough for Camille to audibly gasp. He looked up and saw her in the doorway before she could escape. His mouth dropped open and he rose to his feet. Before Kiara could turn around to spot her, Camille turned and ran away from the library, back to her room, tears springing up in her eyes.

It was only two minutes later when her bedroom door knocked. ‘Montespan?’ It was him. Camille stayed put on her bed, breathing harshly. He knocked again. ‘I know you’re in there.’ She groaned and braced herself. standing up to open the door. He stood over her, his face pale. ‘Montespan, it’s not what it looked like.’ ‘It’s alright Drake,’ she said, moving to shut the door. He brought his hand up and blocked her from shutting it in his face. ‘No, it’s not. Let me explain.’ She beckoned him inside and she sat down on the bed, watching him as he paced the floor. ‘I don’t like Kiara. I was in the library having a drink and she asked to join me, I would have preferred to be alone but hey, she was fucking persistent and kept speaking in French until she wore me down.’ Camille shrugged. ‘You can have drinks with whoever you want, Drake. You don’t have to justify it to me.’ ‘I do, though. I don’t want you to think that I don’t-’ He broke off. ‘Don’t what?’ ‘That I don’t care,’ he said. ‘I care about you. A lot. I don’t care about Kiara.’ Camille stood up and moved to him. ‘I can’t ask you to not spend time with the other girls, especially when I’m in this competition. I’d be a hypocrite.’ ‘I told you I would still be here. When you make your choice, I will be there, ready to accept whatever you decide.’ She looked up at him. He looked distraught. She placed a hand on his cheek. ‘I want out of this competition, desperately-’ ‘I know, Camille,’ he sighed, saying her first name. ‘But think of how that would look. How embarrassing for Liam. The press would drag your name through the mud. I can’t have you pull out for me.’ ‘But,’ she said, her voice wobbling. ‘I want you. You know I want you. You make me happy.’ Drake pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. She inhaled his smokey smell of leather and the taint of whiskey. ‘You make me happy too,’ he whispered. ‘More than anything.’ ‘Drake, if he proposes to me, I’m saying no.’ He looked down at her, his eyes burning. ‘He would be hurt. He’d feel betrayed, I’m his best friend.’ ‘He can marry Olivia,’ Camille said desperately, remembering what Maxwell said. Drake ran a finger along her jawline. ‘Somehow, I feel that he doesn’t want to.’  She sighed, clenching her fingers on his shirt.

‘We will work this out,’ he told her.  ‘Not right now but once things become clear, we will work it out. Don’t worry. I’m with you on this.’ She nodded and his lips brushed hers. ‘I promise I won’t speak to Kiara alone again.’ Camille shook her head. ‘That’s not fair. Besides, I know you don’t like her that way. I just saw you both and felt jealous.’ ‘But you know I don’t like her?’ he said, confused. ‘I meant jealous because I wish we could hang out in the library having a drink, being close and not having to watch ourselves. I wish we could spend time together in public without causing gossip. I felt jealous because Kiara can do that with you whenever she likes and I can’t.’ Drake rested his forehead on hers. ‘Maybe one day in the near future, we can.’ ‘Maybe.. it’s not certain.’ ‘Then, let’s just enjoy this moment for now. We’re alone, together. What do you want to do?’ She smiled. ‘Honestly? Something cute. Like a couple would do. Maybe we could order in pizza and watch a movie. Touch each other while watching the movie maybe? I have to meet the King and Queen later today but it will be nice to relax.’ Drake grinned. ‘Pizza delivered to the palace it is. What movie?’ ‘What do you like?’ ‘Anything, as long as I can watch it with you.’ She smiled and squeezed his hand. ‘I want this to be over. I want this out in the open.’ Drake kissed her softly. ‘Soon. But let’s just enjoy this for now.’ They spent the next two hours eating pizza and watching a rom-com. Drake hated rom-coms but he put up with it for her because they made her smile and he liked to see her smile. If he could help her in any way to feel relaxed, safe and happy, then he would watch a million rom-coms. He wrapped his arm around her tighter and she nuzzled into him, smiling, all worries about Kiara gone. 

[ktrsss1fics]

Cheeseburger in Paradise: Two.

She had seven missed calls.

Two were from her mother and the rest were from him.

From the time she turned off her phone on a plane in Los Angeles to the time she turned it back on in a town car in Aruba, Niall Horan had called her five times.

Georgina Ferguson couldn’t believe it.

Before they left, they made a plan. One person would leave their phone off to use as a back up just in case. Brittany’s phone had died just before their connecting flight so it was up Georgina to keep them safe. She scanned through the text messages that had accumulated while she was in the air in search of the address of the house they were going to be staying at. Niall had ordered the girls a car so they didn’t have to worry about relying on strangers in a foreign country. Georgina had seen too many abduction films and knew she needed to have an exit plan just in case. She typed the address into Google Maps and turned on the Find My Friend application. If something went wrong at least someone (mainly her mother and Dave) would know where they were.

As Brittany made small talk with the Australian driver, three notifications popped on her phone. Two voice mails and a follow request from Find My Friend.

Niall had called her five times. Niall had left her two voice mails. Niall had requested to follow her - just in case.

Brittany’s comments from the plane swirled around her head. Niall liked her. She didn’t want to believe it. He was just some annoying boy who knew how to push her buttons. He laughed too much and cared too much and spent too much time trying to get her attention.

Maybe Brittany was right.

Maybe he did like her. She was just too stubborn to see it.

Georgina placed her phone to her ear and was instantly met by an Irish accent. The first message was wishing them a safe flight. The second was checking in and updating them on what everyone was up to.

“Who was that?” Brittany asked as Georgina hung up the phone.

“Messages from Horan.” Georgina said looking out the window before going back to her phone.

“What’d he say?” Her friend asked.

“Dave’s phone died so we need to call Horan if we need anything. Everyone is just drinking by the pool.” Georgina said in a low tone. “He wants us to go through the side gate when we get there.”

Brittany nodded. “What was the other one?”

“Wishing us a safe flight and reminding us about the car and the address n all that.” Georgina said checking their surroundings.

“That’s considerate. Isn’t it?” Brittany smirked.

“Extremely.” Georgina replied dryly.

“I’m calling it.” Brittany smiled. “You’re going to like him by the end of this trip.”

“You’re delusional.” Georgina mumbled.

“Could say the same about you.” Brittany teased.

“You are just as bad as my mother.” Georgina grumbled as a nice neighborhood came into view.

“I’m just saying G.” Her friend smiled.

“I’m gonna write that on your tombstone.” Georgina shook her head.

“Yours is gonna say–” Brittany started to say until she noticed the house they had stopped in front of.

It was something out of a travel brochure. A tall iron fence with intricate embellishments stood around a massive multistory house.

“He spent way too much on this.” Brittany said in awe.

“What do you mean?” Georgina asked sliding some money over the front seat to the driver.

“He said he’d take care of it all but this is just too much.” Brittany said getting out of the car.

“No one else is paying for this?” Georgina said surprised.

Brittany shook her head as she grabbed her suitcase. “That I know of.”

“That’s not fair.” Georgina said. “I mean I know he has the money for it but like he shouldn’t have to pay for it by himself.”

“Are you sympathizing with Niall Horan?” Brittany teased.

“Oh stop.” Georgina said grabbing the rest of their things from the car.

“He’s not that bad of a guy you know.” Brittany said.

“If you keep this up, I’m ignoring you for the rest of the trip.” Georgina said.

“Just give ‘im a chance.” Britt said as Georgina shot her a dirty look.“Last one.”

The two women gathered their belongings and headed for the gate. Some overly played dance song was blasting from the backyard letting them know they are in the right place. Georgina punched in the code to unlock the gate.

As the two women stepped foot on the property, Georgina’s stomach filled with butterflies. She knew why it was happening but she didn’t want to believe it. Niall Horan didn’t have feelings for her. She was sure it. This was just Brittany’s way to get her to cooperate. This was just a ploy to create a drama-free environment for the two weeks they were away.

At least that’s how it seemed.

They rounded the corner of the house to find a full fledged diving competition taking place in the pool. Drinks were being shared by the bar. One couple was using a lounge chair as a very public make out spot.The one person she didn’t want to see stood out in a pair of bright yellow swim trunks.

She was screwed.

Brittany made her way to her boyfriend who was acting as a bartender. Georgina left her luggage by the house before taking a minute to collect herself.

She could do this. Right?

Without a second thought, she headed towards her friends. Greetings were briefly shared with everyone around the bar.

She watched as Niall got out of line for the diving board and headed towards her. A few curse words were mumbled under her breath causing her best friend to laugh. Georgina looked up to find Brittany watching her.

“Remember what I said G.” She whispered. “Be nice just for the trip.”

Georgina attempted to think of a snarky comeback but the most popular member of their group had appeared and was hugging her best friend.

The sound of the excitement in his voice made her body tense up. She didn’t understand how someone could be that happy all the time.

Before she could she critique his every move, a pair of blue eyes was staring back at her. She put a fake smile on her face and got ready for to play a part.

“Fergie.” Niall smiled pulling her into a hug.

“Hey Niall.” Georgina responded as nicely as she could.

The young man stepped back and studied her face closely.

“What?” Georgina asked confused.

“Y'alright?” Niall asked scanning her features.

“Yeah why?” She asked still not understanding what he was doing.

“You called me by my first name.” Niall explained. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t sick or anything.”

Georgina rolled her eyes trying to fight a blush from forming. “You’re so annoying.”

His signature laugh filled the space between them.

“So what’s that about?” She asked nodding to the line at the pool.

“Jamie said he was better than Tom Daley.” Niall said.

Georgina couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “He’s such a twat.”

“Right?” He said with a laugh. “We thought it’d be a fun competition.”

“Who’s winnin’?” She asked somewhat interested.

“Surprisingly Mags is.” He said nodding to a girl in a red bikini.

“She used to be a ballerina.” She said. “That makes sense.”

“She did?” He said smoothing over his wet hair.

“We’ve discussed this before you goof.” She said trying to be playful.

“I’m sorry I don’t remember every conversation we have.” He sassed.

“You remember my order at In N Out but you don’t remember our friends childhood hobbies.” She shook her head. “Tsk tsk Horan. Shame on you.”

Niall’s lips turned up into a big smile. “Let’s go get you settled brat.”

“So we had a bit of an issue yesterday when we got here.” He said once they got inside.

“What happened?” Georgina asked.

“I had sort of planned out where everyone was gonna stay but uh the couples ganged up on us and took the entire second floor.” He explained running a hand through his hair nervously. “It’s kind of a mess and now we are stuck down here. Just because we aren’t part of a pair doesn’t mean our opinion is invalid.”

“So you mean to tell me that you are paying for this monstrosity of a house by yourself and those drunks out there told you where you are going to be sleeping.” Georgina marveled at the thought.

Niall sighed. “She told you?”

“Yes but we’ll get to that in a second.” Georgina said. “You’re too nice to them Ni. You should have gotten first pick and then they could have fought for whatever was left.”

“I know I know. It’s just they are all so used to getting what they want and I already made them wait to come on this trip so I just let them.” He said sounding insecure.

His eyes fell to the floor realizing he might have said too much.

“They are kind of bullies.” Georgina said trying to lighten the mood. “Like that night when we went to Santa Monica and they said they got to take the first Uber home because they didn’t want to be split up but like you were gonna puke and Ash was nearly dead so you deserved the first one.”

“That was bullshit. It was a short ride to Keith’s place and they couldn’t be apart for what was it.. ten minutes?” He shook his head. “Absolute bull shit.”

“So what did they leave us poor singles with?” Georgina asked with a smile.

“Well uh two rooms on each side of the first floor. One shares a bathroom with Keith and the other shares a bathroom with me.” He said quietly.

Georgina was quiet.

“If I’m honest, Keith should have been left at home. He is being a real creep and talking about all the women he’s going to bring back.” Niall went on to explain. “So I wouldn’t choose that one. I mean if you want, I can switch to that room and you can keep the two over here.”

“Stop being a people pleaser Horan.” She said.

“I just want everyone to enjoy themselves and I’m worried they won’t.” Niall admitted shyly. “If me changing rooms will help, I’ll do it.”

“Keep your room. I get to take showers first. Got it?” She smirked grabbing her luggage and walking past him.

Niall stood still for a moment. He wasn’t used to this side of her. She was usually a little standoffish and cold. But here she was joking around with him.

He couldn’t believe it.

“So which one is mine?” Georgina asked pulling him back to reality.

“Uh the one on the left.” He said nodding towards the door in front of her.

“How much do I owe you?” She asked stepping inside the room.

“Fergie…” Niall started to say but she cut him off.

“Unlike the rest of their friends, I wasn’t raised to be disrespectful.” She said quietly. “I can’t let you pay for this entire trip by yourself.”

Niall watched her closely as she spoke - his eyes full of admiration.

“How much can I chip in?” She asked.

“I appreciate the offer.” He said sincerely. “But-”

“No buts. I’m gonna pay for something. Whether it’s part of the rental fee or for groceries or for drinks when we go out.” She said stubbornly. “We all have well paying jobs there is no excuse for them to think just because you are who you are that they deserve to get off without paying a dime.”

Niall cheeks turned rosy as the woman in front of him continued to rant about their friends. He had never seen her this passionate about anything. Not only was it slightly attractive, it was also really nice to see someone care about him.

Money wasn’t an issue. If he wanted to rent a mansion in a foreign country for a week, he could. But the fact that she was concerned about him spending too much meant something.

“You know what Fergie?” He said softly.

“Hmm?” She mumbled glancing up at him.

“I’m glad that you’re in my life.” He stated sincerely.

“Why’s that?” She asked placing her suitcase on the bed.

He shrugged, “You actually give a shit.”

She didn’t know how to respond. He took the moment to explain.

“I know I can come off a little strong sometimes and I can be a bit persistent with things but like out of everyone you give it to me straight.” Niall said trying not to show how he actually felt. “There is no bull shit with you. If I’m being a twat, you let me know. If I’m being too clingy, you let me know. If I’m being too much, you let me have it.”

Heat danced across her body as his words floated around her. This was not happening. Niall Horan wasn’t admitting how much he appreciated having her in his life. This wasn’t real life. She was still asleep on the plane and this was all a dream.

“I uh just wanted to let you know I appreciate it.” He smiled.

Georgina still didn’t know how to respond so she resorted to what she did best.

“You kind of forced yourself into my life so I’ve had to learn to adapt.” She teased making him smile even more.

“That’s how I make all my friends.” He joked. “Just annoy the shit out of them until they get use to me.”

“Sounds about right.” She laughed.

“Want me to give you a minute to like relax?” He asked trying not to over stay his welcome.

Georgina shook her head. “I’m good. We can go back with the others if you want.”

Niall headed towards the door. “Want a tour?”

“I’m only allowed on the first floor so I don’t need to see the rest.” She said following behind him.

“One day we’ll get the credentials to make it up there.” He assured her.

“Or we could just find more single friends.” She suggested.

“You do have a point.” He nodded.

“Why aren’t you as drunk as the others?” She asked as they stepped outside.

“Didn’t want to risk something happening to you and Britt and having no one to come help.” He admitted shyly. “She didn’t call me when she said she would so I got a little worried.”

“She almost made us miss our bloody connecting flight.” Georgina complained.

“How?” He asked trying not to laugh.

“Her phone charger was in her checked bag and her phone died so she wanted to buy a portable one at one of those shops.” Georgina explained. “The queue was outside the shop and she still wanted to buy it.”

“Is that why she didn’t call?” He asked looking over at their friend.

Georgina nodded as she watched Brittany dance along to the song that was playing.

“Sorry I called so much.” Niall said slightly embarrassed. “She told me she’d call in between flights and she wasn’t answering so I was hoping you’d pick up instead.”

“S'fine. I’m sorry I didn’t pick up.” Georgina apologized. “We decided to keep one phone off so we wouldn’t end up having two dead phones.”

“Smart idea.” He said glancing back at her.

“Well now that we are safely here do you wanna get something to drink?” Georgina asked keeping her eyes off the boy beside her.

“There are plenty of beers in the fridge.” He said turning towards her. “And they made some tropical juice thing with rum if you want that instead.”

Georgina scrunched up here nose trying to make up her mind. Niall found it cute.

“Or there’s water.” He added trying to help.

“Water’s for fish Horan.” Georgina joked. “Bring me something that’ll get me drunk.”

With that, Niall laughed his way to the bar to make her something to drink.

[viralhottopics]

We’re very close. We couldn’t not be: the secret to a friendly divorce

This month sees a spike in couples filing for divorce, many of them vowing to stay friends. But is it really possible or worth the pain?

A few weeks ago, a man came to stay at my house and he and I made so much noise at 1am that we feared we might wake the children. The next morning at breakfast, we had to explain ourselves and apologise.

The man was my ex-husband, and he was telling me an anecdote in the early hours that had us both in fits of laughter. We separated in January 2009, and divorced a year later. He has since remarried, and lives in another city, but often comes to visit our three teenage sons. We have spent several Christmases, Easters and birthdays together.

If liking and being nice to your former partner is the essence of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martins conscious uncoupling, it could be said that my ex-husband and I are living that dream. In the three years since they announced their much-ridiculed approach to family life and relations post-marriage, the idea of the friendly divorce has become increasingly mainstream. As Helena Bonham Carter said of Tim Burton, her former husband of 13 years, I think well have something very precious still. Actor Kate Beckinsale is so friendly with her ex Michael Sheen (the father of their daughter) that shes often seen hanging out with him and his girlfriend, Sarah Silverman.

And then theres the rise of the divorce selfie, taken outside the courtroom, showing smug ex-marrieds beaming away together in the spirit of a bright future ahead of them (with a caption such as We smile not because its over but because it happened). January traditionally sees a spike in calls to family lawyers from couples wishing to uncouple. The first question for many is: can you really have a happy split?

Divorce coach Carol Sullivan thinks so. She runs Divorce Negotiator, which operates throughout England and Wales. Unlike solicitors who represent the separate parties, Sullivan assists both husband and wife and, to stop the escalation, maintains transparency between them. She claims to save a typical couple 80% of the cost of going to a solicitor, and 50% of their time. So far, she has helped more than 1,000 couples, many of whom apologise to each other and go out for drinks despite their decree nisi.

People are doing divorce differently that is, better, Sullivan says. They are more aware that the only winners are the lawyers, and bitterness and vengeance dont get anybody anywhere.

Of course, most people would say theyd like to divorce well, at least in theory, usually for the sake of any children involved. But, in practice, anger and hurt usually muddy the waters.

I am insufferably smug about what my ex-husband and I have managed to pull off, but I wont pretend it was instant. The parting of the ways was painful beyond anything I had ever experienced, but we managed to sort out our financial affairs and living arrangements ourselves. A lawyer friend kindly did the essential paperwork for both of us. We never went to court, and our whole divorce cost 90. Eight years have since passed, and time has done its cliched but excellent bit in terms of healing. Rancour has been and gone, leaving all the things we liked about each other in the first place: enjoyment of each others company, great communication, affection and respect. Plus all the things we have together accumulated over the years, namely three great boys, an important shared history and the recognition that prolonged bitterness eats away at people and benefits nobody.

Its difficult, but this approach is becoming more common. I have a friend whose husband went off with another woman. After her shock and anger subsided, she had him to stay with his new girlfriend several times, and even took coffee up to them in the morning. (Talk about forgiveness.) It was nice for the kids to see I was accepting of her with him, she tells me. I liked him. I liked her. She says she didnt indulge in any power play, at least not consciously.

The prevailing view is that good relations benefit the children, if you have them. Phyllis Maguire-Harrington, 33, is a carer and nursery manager. She sees many families who arent amicable, which has only compounded her belief that friendly divorce is vital even when she found out, three years into their marriage, that her husband had been unfaithful.

It hurt massively, she says now, but our daughter is my world. Even though I ended the marriage there and then, and never once wavered, I always spoke to him and let him see her. My daughter deserves both parents.

There was no court case. The same lawyer represented them both. It was all their own terms; he just did the paperwork. Her ex-husband has exactly the same parental rights as she does.

The couple, both from Wokingham, met at a bowling alley in their early 20s. Kieran Harrington, 35, remembers that she started dancing and I thought, wow! He found her generous, with a lot of time for others. Phyllis says she is very energetic, while Kieran was very chilled and happy to go along with anything she threw at him. They married in 2008 and separated in 2011, when their daughter was a year old.

To be brutally honest, I cheated on her, Kieran says. Its one of those things I cant explain. It was nothing she ever did or didnt do. When she found out, she went ballistic. Id never seen her like that. I deserved it. I tried to get her back, but eventually knew it was hopeless.

It was complicated, Phyllis says, because in September 2007 he had a brain haemorrhage and that altered him. Kieran says that, although he doesnt remember being tempted before the brain haemorrhage, it is nonetheless too easy an excuse. Either way, he says, the two flings with colleagues were a huge mistake. Initially, he says, there was some nastiness from Phyllis, but then it went away.

For a long time I wanted him to be my Kieran, Phyllis says, but he had changed. After the brain haemorrhage, I became more like a carer. I knew he was no longer fully in control of himself, and a psychologist told us he was never going to change. I had a baby and couldnt live like that any more, the suspicious wife.

The divorce came through in December 2014 and Kieran, a prison custody officer, now lives with his father and sister. He and Phyllis still see each other most days, and go on holiday together. They took Erin, now five, to Disneyland Paris for new year and glamping in Cornwall. Neither has another partner.

I did for a while, Phyllis says, and he and Kieran accepted each other, but he wanted to get married and I didnt. I think Kieran put me off for life, she laughs.

These days, Kieran confides in Phyllis about dates and she gives him advice. He admits hed like to get back together with her, but knows thats never going to happen; he also knows that it could all have been very different had Phyllis not been so forgiving. I could have lost a lot more, he says. As it is, the friendship we have having a laugh, watching movies together, sharing a bottle of wine when the little one is asleep is the best I can hope for, given Id still like to be married to her. Ill be a little bit jealous when shes with someone else, but I messed up, so I havent a leg to stand on. Im grateful Ive got this much and know we will be friends for life.

Phyllis agrees: Were very close. We couldnt not be, after all weve been through. But the divorce was the right decision. Would I get back with him? Never. Hes not the man I fell in love with.

***

Specialist family lawyer Peter Martin has been practising at London firm OGR Stock Denton for 40 years, and has worked with thousands of couples. In his experience, roughly 25-30% of couples are able to be friends afterwards, and its not always to protect the children. In some ways, it is easier for couples without children to stay friends, Martin says. Once the finances are sorted out, they are able to get on with their lives. They can become friends again, because they no longer have any pressures on them.

On the other hand, Martin says, couples without children have less reason to stay in touch. Those with children have to continue to communicate, and they are more likely, because of that, to rebuild a friendship. A forced friendship, because of having children, often develops in time into the real thing. Its the sort of thing I see a lot Im thinking of the first dance of a divorced couple as parents at their childs wedding.

Barry Rutter, 69, an actor, is founder and artistic director of Northern Broadsides, a touring company. He credits his ex-wife, Carol, 65, a professor of Shakespeare and performance studies at the University of Warwick, with their excellent relationship after nearly 20 years of marriage and 20 years of divorce. She credits him with not forcing her and their girls out of their home. You can be vengeful and angry and selfish and do all that stuff, Carol says. All those ugly emotions you can keep up for years, but thats just destructive.

The couple met while Barry was on tour in America in 1976. She, with her Californian chutzpah, came backstage to congratulate me, he says.

He had the tight curls of a Raphael angel and a boxers nose, she says. He was bolshie, challenging: a Yorkshireman. Everything around him was different and new.

She moved to England a year later, and they soon married. Their shared passion meant they always had things to talk about. Briony was born in 1982; their son, Harry, two years later, but he died from cot death aged just 98 days. Barrys support in the aftermath made Carol feel an overwhelming sense that our marriage could survive; how amazing it was that he could love me that much.

When he set up his own company, Barry was working so hard, Carol says, I think he started kind of shifting. Rowan, their younger daughter, was four. Carol had a full-time job at the university and Barry came home wanting shiny faces. There was a gap. It was, Barry says, a build-up of events, which I took to be a diminution between us. And my own restlessness. The cliche: the grass is always greener. The official divorce says adultery, but it is never as simple as that. I didnt fall in love, but I was distracted.

Barry says it was raw. I remember we met in the garden shed and she asked what I wanted, and I said all of my freedom to roam, and yet the home and family. It was a stupid, macho, dumb attitude to have. It was my folly. You make choices, and choices can bite.

How did I come back from that? Carol says. I went to see a divorce person who said dont fight, its not worth it; work it out between you. I was able to keep the man separate from the actor and, little by little, the birth of our three children, the death of our son, those things you shared, count. They represent the real core values of you two as people, as against the accidents of making bad decisions.

Barry says it was entirely Carols leading that set them on the footing they are on today. Its got to be about the future: I remember her saying that. I myself didnt have it in me to come up with anything like that. Its a testament to her. Id hope she is my best friend. Shes kept the name [Rutter]. Ive always been rather pleased about that.

These days, their daughters are both married, and they still see each other at least once a month and speak often. Carol goes to watch her ex-husband perform. She says he is perhaps better at expressing his emotions on stage, but he always made her laugh off it, and always will.

Tara Saglio has been a couples and individual psychotherapist for two decades. She believes that most divorced couples have to experience a period of proper separation before they can actively be friends again. As a generalisation, I think it takes five years for people to settle post-divorce, she says. It helps if both parties have reached a point where they can feel equally content, instead of one being miserable and the other blissfully loved-up with a new partner or even of one being blissfully alone and the other in a less than ideal rebound relationship. The chance of friendship depends on the emotional maturity of both parties. In my experience, Saglio adds, it is usually the couples for whom the passion has dwindled or gone, and who dont feel so betrayed or rejected, who can be friends. Sexual rejection or broken trust can skewer things.

Facebook, Instagram and so on can make it harder for couples to move on. Of course, social media always presents a happy if not idealised picture of everyones lives, Saglio says. It is hard to separate fully while having ones nose rubbed in the exs new life. On the upside, technology can be a force for good, depending on how it is used. It makes continued contact quicker and easier. A text or email is more emotionally distant than a face-to-face or phone conversation. A bit of a barrier can be a good thing.

Resolution is an organisation of family law professionals that promotes nonconfrontational divorce settlements. Nigel Shepherd, its national chair, says that avoiding unnecessary argument demands a shift of perspective: By nonconfrontational, we mean focusing on what is required for the future, as opposed to getting stuck in what happened in the past. A Resolution survey found that 90% of cases settle without a judge.

Current divorce law doesnt exactly help people to remain friendly: unless former couples are prepared to wait for two years once they have separated, they have no option but to cite adultery, unreasonable behaviour or (admittedly rarely) desertion on the paperwork. Resolution believes that a couple should be allowed to divorce simply if they think the marriage has broken down, a so-called no-fault divorce, and are lobbying for change. The current process, which pushes the majority into blame, often against their will, can really put the spanner in the works, Shepherd says.

***

Businesswoman Sarah Bevan never lost sight of the fact that she wanted to retain her friendship with her husband, Tim, despite her deep sadness when their marriage came to an end. We were originally friends, and I wanted very strongly to maintain that for the greater good of our family, she says. We always had a lot of fun and we managed to retain that.

Sarah, who is now single and in her 40s, lives in south London, and is setting up her own company. Tim, 50, the MD of a packaging and design company, lives in Hove. The pair met at work in London and married in 1994. They have three teenage children. The friendship was overriding in the relationship, Tim says. Any other issues were put to one side. Thats what carried us. But then I started to do better in my career, which made me more confident and, when other possibilities presented themselves, I was weak enough to succumb.

It was 2004. He admitted he was having an affair (not his first); they finally parted in 2005 and divorced in 2011. Tim says he walked away with two pictures, a stereo and a pink tea towel.

There were no lawyers, and nothing on paper; money was divided according to their own agreement. The divorce cost 560. Rather than argue in court, he wanted Sarah and the children to have a home and security. He credits their friendship today to his ex-wifes openness and strength, and thinks they have both pulled off something pretty extraordinary. According to Tim, both realise they are not going to be jumping into bed with each other again, but hopes theyll be best friends for life.

Shes currently offering me advice on cholesterol, he laughs. Shes still got my back! It helped that neither of them slagged each other off to the children. The family has a group chat online most days and he visits them every Tuesday for a curry evening.

There were phases of extreme anger and massive hurt, Sarah says, but even though hes certainly a difficult character, I love him and we hug and say we love each other. He remains an important part of her life, all the more so because her parents died recently in tragic circumstances. As Tim says, that focused everyone on whats important.

Despite everything weve put each other through, Tim says, weve come out of it. We will be sitting in our deckchairs in 30 years time with our mint tea, looking at the children, and thinking, Weve done good.

How to divorce well

1. Slow down. Reactive decisions are usually bad ones; if you are feeling hurt, or have just discovered your partner with someone else, dont take any legal action until the red mist has gone.

2. Try to be rational. Going through a separation is highly emotional, but try to put that to one side and sit down with a neutral party with the aim of making sensible decisions. Remember that you loved the other person once.

3. Decide on your priorities. More often than not one of the biggest goals is to move on with your life with your dignity intact. The more amicable the divorce, the quicker it will be over, leaving you to get on with the next chapter of your life. It is also a lot cheaper.

4. Go to a good family lawyer. Find a family specialist committed to working out solutions as amicably as possible and in a way that will preserve your relationship with your spouse.

5. Expect a big change in your lifestyle. Your life is going to change dramatically; being shocked by this can often lead to resentment and breed conflict. Your partners life will be changing, too, and they will have the same problems adjusting as you are. Yes, really.

6. Dont do it the celebrity way. You dont have to fight dirty to get the best result in fact, judges will frown upon it when making their settlement.

7. Dont listen to your friends. Turn to them for emotional support but remember that every marriage is different and every divorce is different. Just because friends think it is a good idea, doesnt mean it is.

8. Be the bigger person. Even if your nearly ex is trying to play dirty, dont rise to the bait. It is easier said than done, but I often hear from people who, years later, regret that they allowed themselves to be brought down to that level.

9. Think about divorce before you get married. What will your situation be if things dont work out? Consider how your partner is likely to behave in those circumstances as well. Think about a prenuptial agreement realism does not have to be anti-romantic.

10. If you have children, be nice for their sake. It is only in the most exceptional circumstances that it is not in the childrens interests for their parents to remain friendly.

Peter Martin, family lawyer, OGR Stock Denton

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from We’re very close. We couldn’t not be: the secret to a friendly divorce