Things were now looking great for Dec.

The dog walking business had got off the ground immediately and the kennels were now built and they were already fully booked for the summer period.

He and Ant were having an amazing time living together,as if they'd known each other their entire lives,it all just fell into place and felt so right.

He was in regular contact with his family and saw them whenever he could,unfortunately it wasn't as often as he would have liked because of how busy work was,but they all agreed to come down to London to visit him when they had time and there was plenty of room at Ant's house after all.

But best of all,was all the time he now got to spend with Isla.

Ali had agreed to let Dec have her every weekend,in fact she couldn't wait to get rid of her and practically threw her into Dec's arms every friday evening.

One sunday evening after dropping Isla off,Dec sat quietly next to Ant on the sofa,looking deep in thought.

"You alright there Dec?" Ant asked concerned "you're very quiet tonight"

"Er...yeah" Dec mumbled "I'm ok"

"What's on your mind?" Ant pressed.

"It's just..." Dec replied "it's just that it's not enough"

"What isn't?" Ant asked confused.

"Weekends" Dec stated "I want more"

"Dec" Ant sighed "please stop talking in riddles,you want more of what?"

"Isla" Dec announced "I want more than just weekends,I want joint custody,what do you think?"

"Wow" Ant stated "where has that come from?I thought you were happy with how things are at the moment?"

"I am" Dec nodded "well,I was and these weekends with her have been so amazing haven't they?but kids change so much at this age and I'm missing out,I want more,maybe alternate weeks between here and Ali's?"

"I get that" Ant replied with understanding "but you'll be working during the week,how will that work?"

"I've already thought about that" Dec beamed "childminder or nursery,I can afford that now,there's a doable solution"

"Will nurseries and childminders take her if it's only every other week?" Ant queried.

"Don't see why not?" Dec shrugged "as long as they're paid...oh sorry,I should have run this by by you first"

"Well,you're doing that now aren't you?" Ant pointed out.

"I guess so" Dec nodded "but I shouldn't just presume you'd be happy with this,it's your home"

"For goodness sake Dec" Ant snapped "how many times do I have to tell you that this is your home too?and it's not like you're living here rent free is it?you work as hard as I do with the dogs and you can have your daughter here as much as you like...I think it could work"

"Thanks Ant" Dec replied sheepishly "Isla loves you,it will be great...if Ali agrees to it"

"And I love her" Ant beamed "and I'm sure we'll come to some amicable arrangement with Ali"

"You've got more faith than I have" Dec frowned.

"Don't worry Declan" Ant smiled "we'll talk to her next weekend and remember,you've got a lawyer on your side"

"Yeah" Dec laughed "can't complain about that"

The following weekend,once Dec had put Isla to bed on the Saturday evening,he sent Ali a text message,trying his best to stay upbeat,so she hopefully wouldn't kick off for any reason.

'Hi Ali' Dec typed 'I'd like to talk to you about having more access to Isla,so if it's ok with you,I'd like to come in and chat about it when I drop her off tomorrow evening,I'll be bringing my lawyer with me'

'Fine' came Ali's very short reply,which Dec showed to Ant.

"At least she didn't say no" Ant pointed out.

"Yeah" Dec nodded,now having no idea how Ali would react to his suggestion.

So,he inevitably felt rather nervous as he rang the doorbell to Ali's house the following evening,with Ant standing loyally by his side and Isla snuggled up in his arms.

"You've got this Dec" Ant assured him as they waited for Ali to open the door.

Dec just nodded,wishing he could be as confident as Ant.

Ali opened the door without saying a single word and Ant and Dec followed her into the living room.

She sat down in the armchair and Isla immediately climbed into her lap.

"Mummeeeee" she squealed with delight,which barely earned her a glance from her mother.

Ant and Dec sat down on the sofa.

"Ali,this is Ant" he stated "I mean Anthony McPartlin,my...umm...my lawyer"

He looked at Ant awkwardly.

"Good evening Mrs Donnelly" Ant smiled "how are you today?"

"Just get on with it will you" Ali snapped,practically pushing Isla onto the floor,who immediately ran back into her father's loving arms.

"Ok" Ant nodded "my client here would like joint custody of your daughter,both of them absolutely love the weekends that they share together,but that's not enough for them,he is now financially secure and can offer her a very loving and stable home"

Ant waited for some kind of response from Ali,but she just continued to stare at him.

"Anyway" Ant cleared his throat as Dec listened on hopefully "of course it would be in everyone's best interest to keep this amicable,but if you don't agree to our proposition,then I'm afraid we will have to take you to court over the matter"

Ant and Dec were both shocked when Ali reached into her handbag and pulled out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter,taking one out of the box and lighting it up.

"What the fuck Ali?" Dec stated angrily "when did you start smoking?"

"None of your business" Ali snapped.

"It is my business if you're smoking that filth around my daughter and making her breathe it in" Dec retorted.

"Oh get over yourself" Ali laughed sarcastically "she lives in London,she's breathing in crap all the time"

"That doesn't mean she should have to do it in in her own home" Dec fumed "put it out"

Ali smirked at him and deliberately aimed a cloud of toxic smoke towards where he and Isla were sitting.

"You're vile" Dec exclaimed "you don't deserve to be a mother,my daughter deserves better"

"Dec" Ant muttered "stay calm remember?"

"Oh and that's you is it?" Ali laughed sarcastically.

"Too right it's me" Dec replied,trying his best to breathe deeply and not let her get to him like she always did "I can give her the best of everything like she deserves,I've got a decent place to live,a job and I'm financially secure now,plus I would have thought you'd be happy about joint custody as you'll get a proper break"

"If you're so comfortable now" Ali mused "you could pay me more child support couldn't you?"

"Ali" Dec stated exasperated "I've been paying you a very generous amount for some time now,surely you can't complain about that?"

Ali just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and Ant felt like they weren't really getting anywhere,so thought it best to wrap it up for now.

"Ok" he smiled politely "I think it's best we carry on talks at another time,when would be a good time for you?or are you prepared to take this up in court"

He aimed his question at Ali who just ignored him as she put out her cigarette butt in a full,filthy ashtray.

Dec was amazed that he hadn't noticed it when he walked in,or the stench of stale smoke,but in his defence,all the windows were open as the weather was getting increasingly warmer,it made him feel a bit sick though and he wondered what damage may have been done to Isla's delicate young lungs.

"Take her" Ali suddenly announced.

"What?" Dec asked shocked.

"Take her" Ali repeated.

"Er...don't we have to arrange who has her when first?" Dec frowned "if this means you're agreeing to joint custody?"

"I don't want joint custody" Ali snapped.

"What then?" Dec asked confused.

"I don't want her here anymore" Ali stated "she's nothing but a whinging little pain in the arse and I can't fucking stand her"

"ALI" Dec shouted im shock "that's your daughter you're talking about,how the hell can you say something so vile about a little girl?your own child?"

"Because it's true" Ali shrugged "I never wanted her in the first place,only went through with it for you,how stupid was I?yet I'm the one stuck here with her"

"YOU THREW ME OUT" Dec shouted,he had now lost count of how many times he'd had to point that out.

"Don't shout Daddy" Isla said and began to cry.

"Sorry sweetheart" Dec whispered and rocked her gently on his lap as he glared at Ali scornfully.

"Yeah,well" she continued "I wish I'd aborted the little brat"

Dec stared at his former wife in disbelief.

"What an awful thing to say,what happened to you to make you such a horrible person?" He asked quietly "the hatred,the bitterness,the vitriol...it's just not normal"

"If you want her,just take her" Ali shrugged,totally ignoring the question as she lit up another cigarette.

"I will" Dec exclaimed "I don't want her in this toxic environment for a single second longer"

He got up and carried Isla out of the door,without another word to Ali.

"Er...we'll be in touch" Ant stated "I assume you'll still want some access to your daughter,so we can arrange that"

"No" Ali stated bluntly "I'm moving away,so she can't come"

Dec heard this conversation and turned around and walked back up the path.

"You're moving away?" Dec questioned "where to?"

"Ibiza" Ali announced "gonna work the pubs and clubs,have some fun and get my life back that SHE took away"

She pointed a bony finger at Isla.

"Jesus christ" Dec muttered "I've heard it all now"

"You can think what you like" Ali smirked "I don't give a shit about what you think,I've already found a place,me and Sandra are going together"

Dec thought about Ali's best friend,he'd never liked her and was pretty sure that she had played a big part in turning Ali against him,not that she really needed any help.

"And what were you planning to do with Isla if I hadn't wanted joint custody?" Dec queried.

"Dunno" Ali replied "I'd have found someone to dump her with"

Ant could see the rage building in Dec's face and quickly tried to diffuse the situation.

"Leave it Dec,take a deep breath" he advised.

Dec took Ant's advice and forced himself to calm down,turning on his heels and making his way to the car,with Ant behind him.

"We'll be in touch soon" Ant called out as Ali slammed the door behind them.

"That was pretty full on" he announced as Dec got into the passenger seat beside him after strapping Isla back into her car seat.

"Yeah" Dec nodded quietly.

Ant was worried about his friend,that had been a horrible experience for him and Dec could be very sensitive at the best of times.

And Ant was right to be worried.

The floodgates soon opened and Dec began to sob uncontrollably!