Seasons of Fate (16 page)

Chapter 13

Summer

   As the days progressed we all fell into a routine for daily life, I didn’t really get too involved in my friends lives and they didn’t push themselves into ours. They helped with Lily when I needed it, or when they just wanted time with her but apart from that we had an easy living arrangement which was starting to suit all our needs. Mason remained my constant, calling and texting daily, we kept skype to every other day so as not to interfere with Mason’s work. He still hadn’t had the talk with his family but I trusted him to do what he felt was right, in his own time.

   I now needed to look at possible school options for Lily, she was nearly five, so needed some stability. Her school life before all the changes consisted of private school, care of the sperm donor, but after his death I had withdrawn her on compassionate grounds however, that was then and now we needed to get back to it. Being in a completely different environment I hoped she would feel more normal and not so apart from reality, Lily understood early why her father rarely spoke to her or spent any time with her, we now had the opportunity to change things, so I set up a meeting with the local primary school and invited John to come along for morale support. Lyssa was busy working in a local charity store, so we dropped her off at work before making the ten minute drive to the school, which hopefully Lily would like and feel comfortable enough to start back.

   We arrived early and parked in the visitor car park. I helped Lily out of the car and held her hand as we walked toward the reception office.

  
‘Hold crap this place reminds me of an old church’ I laughed at Johns description which wasn’t far off.

  
‘It’s quiet, and fairly small. I hope they don’t ask too many questions that I don’t want to answer.’ John gave me a sympathetic look before saying

  
‘Don’t worry, it can’t be that bad, well it can, but just remember how well you did with questions when the Stones asked, it’s the same thing. As long as they provide the right environment for Lily everything else will fall into place.’

  
‘I hope your right. Lily are you ok?’

  
‘Yea Mum, I’m just a bit scared.’

  
‘I know, but this is just like anything new once you start, you’ll wonder why you were afraid. Just think, you can make new friends, and have play dates, just like everyone else, ok? If it’s too much or you really don’t like it we can look elsewhere.’

We walked into the office and sat down as advised, the headmaster came out to greet us 5 minutes later inviting us to chat before a tour was provided.

   ‘Hello Ms Clarke, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Mr Turner.’

  
‘Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, this is John Sinclair, and my daughter Lily.’

  
‘It’s nice to meet you Lily, Mr Sinclaire.’

  
‘Likewise, John is fine thanks.’ Lily looked shell shocked so I gave her a soothing touch, she leaned into me so I continued.

  
‘I’m sorry, she’s a little shy, but it doesn’t take her long to come out of herself. I know that I haven’t given you much information so I wondered what your requirements are for Lily starting school here as soon as possible.’

  
‘Well, we need some details of any previous education, and of course personal details, we also need any medical information for Lily, and emergency contact details. I can give you all the paperwork to complete and return, that’s no problem. I wouldn’t expect you to have that all to hand. Where was Lily going to school previously?’

  
‘Well, she was in a private school called, Green Pastures.’

  
‘I’ve heard of it, very good school by all accounts. Why have you decided to move to public school?’

At this point I wanted to disappear but instead I asked John to take Lily outside so she could have a look around

   ‘I hope you don’t mind if we talk about this in private, I want to keep Lily protected as much as possible.’ He gave me a wary look so I carried on before I lost my nerve

  
‘We recently lost my husband, and Lily’s father, It was not a perfect family environment, the details of which I would rather not go into but needless to say, when he passed away, I withdrew her from school so she could grieve and we decided to move away for a fresh start. I want her to have a happy school life, and make friends while she learns, that was not an option before, which is why I looked at your school.’

I kept my eyes averted allowing him time to take in what I had said.

   ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ I looked up and Mr Turner gave me a small smile before moving on ‘I can assure you that we try our best at this school to make things happy for the children as well as a great learning experience. I’m sure she’ll fit in well here, of course the term is nearly over but I would have no problem with Lily visiting for a few hours so she can integrate herself into class before becoming permanent in the new term, this should allow you time to complete her paperwork.’

  
‘That sounds great.’

  
‘How about you bring her in tomorrow morning for 9am, and pick her up about 1pm so she can stay for morning classes and have lunch, perhaps if we followed this routine for this week and then she can stay for full days from next week.’

  
‘I think she would like that, I’ll talk to her. Does she need a uniform and any other things?’

  
‘She will need a uniform but we order them when we receive new students so just bring her in her own clothes, the paperwork provided will confirm what we need to order, you just need to confirm quantity and sizes.’

  
‘Thank you, for your time and understanding. We will see you tomorrow.’

  
‘Goodbye Ms Clarke’ I walked out and John was nowhere to be found. I was informed that John and Lily had gone on a quick tour. I sat down in reception and took a breath, another tick on my list on things to do. I sent a quick text to Mase, giving him an update.

Babe just enrolled Lily in a new school. It seems nice. I hope your ok. Love you, miss you. S. XXX

When I looked up, Lily was running towards me,

  
‘Mummy we went to see my new classroom. It’s big with lots of things to do.’

  
‘That’s great baby, are you looking forward to starting school tomorrow?’

  
‘I think so, I think it will be fun.’

She smiled at me and I felt a huge weight lift. John wandered over and gave me a look that said

   ‘I’m glad schools out’ but then smiled down at Lily and asked if she wanted to grab some lunch. We left the school and drove into the local town, finding a nice café so we could stop and eat.

   Later that day we arrived home and everybody disappeared into their rooms. I fell back onto the bed and sighed, another day over. We had been back for two weeks, and the ache I felt leaving Mase was still there in the pit of my stomach. I knew Lily was still upset, but kid’s process things in a different way. A knock at my door alerted me to Lys being home.

  
‘Hey hun, how did it go?’

  
‘Yeah fine, they asked some questions, I have some paperwork to complete but she’s starting mornings from tomorrow and then full time next week. I hope this is the right thing to do.’

  
‘Of course it is, she needs something normal, well as normal as it can be after everything that’s happened, you know since ‘He died’. Don’t worry so much. Have you talked to Mason?’

  
‘Not today, I text him earlier but I haven’t heard anything back yet. He’s probably busy working. I hope he talks to his family, I feel guilty about how things were left.’

  
‘That’s ridiculous, it wasn’t your selfish remarks that caused that rift, it was theirs. He’ll do the right thing when he feels he should, stop thinking about it.’

With that she turned and left, I knew she was right but I couldn
’t help it, I suppose when you love somebody, you care if their hurting for whatever reason. I lay on my bed and then suddenly woke up, it felt like hours later. I realised that I hadn’t seen Lily or anybody for a while. Walking downstairs, I noticed dinner dishes left on the side, and noise coming from the TV, when I walked into the lounge, Lys, John and Lily were all sat together watching a Disney Movie, I stood in the doorway watching them before they noticed my entrance.

  
‘Hey hun, did you take a nap? We called up but when you didn’t come down we assumed you were sleeping, sorry. You hungry?’ I stared back at Lys without blinking, what the hell was wrong with me.

  
‘I…I skipped dinner? I didn’t even hear you guys calling me, weird. I think I must have crashed the moment I lay down. I’m sorry to leave Lily for so long.’

  
‘Don’t be stupid, she’s like my niece so I can look out for her, can’t I baby girl?’

  
‘Yeah Uncle John, I’m fine mummy, we had dinner already.’

  
‘That’s great, I’m just gonna…well gonna get a drink and something from the kitchen. I’ll give you a bath after your movie ok?’

With that I walked out. I didn
’t realise I was so tired, I guess things have been piling up. At least things seem to be settling down. I had a quick sandwich and made a cuppa before sitting at the table. Lost in thought, I heard my phone buzz with an incoming message

Baby, I’m sorry it took so long to reply I’m glad Lily’s school is sorted, are you ok? I’m in a meeting right now but can we skype later? I need my Summer fix, it’s been a long week. Works busy but my mind is still with you. Let me know about skype

Love you M. XXX

Reading his text gave me goose bumps, but then just thinking about him made me crazy, I quickly responded setting a time and place for our call.

Hey handsome, Are you bored? Texting, in a meeting. Naughty boy. I
’m ok, just a

bit tired. I fell asleep and missed dinner, Weird lol. I
’m sorry your so busy, or

maybe not, that
’s a good thing right? Anyway, of course I want to skype, I’m

missing you so much. It feels wrong being here without you. How about 6pm

your time? Say, bedroom, locked door, no interruptions.  That gives me time

to bath Lily and put her to bed. Then I
’m all yours. Love you S. XXX

His reply was immediate

Holy shit, yeah, I’ll be there waiting, Love you M. XXX

Thank god, I was starting to have a serious case of depression. It’s so easy so let all the bad thoughts in when the love of your life is so far away. Am I right for him? Does he still find me attractive? Does he still love me? But when he’s right there, even on screen his eyes tell me everything I need to know. He loves me, I couldn’t wait for his call.

Chapter 14

Summer

   After bathing Lily, reading her a story and putting her to bed, I said goodnight to my friends and retired to my room. I ran through my nightly routine before slipping into a cream negligee I had bought, thinking about Mason. It was still early so I lay down and grabbed my latest romance novel, counting down to my call with Mase.

   I startled awake, when a beeping and ringing sound started to get louder near my ear, it took a minute to realise it was my laptop telling me I had an incoming call. Before I could reach to answer it the call ended. I sat and stared at the screen for a whole minute before it started to ring again. I answered it immediately and waited, when the screen initialised a worried looking Mason was staring back at me.

   ‘Baby, is everything ok? You had me worried for a minute.’

  
‘I’m so…sorry. I fell asleep reading while I waited for your call. What the hell is wrong with me, that’s twice today.’ I laughed

  
‘Sweetheart, are your sick, maybe you’re coming down with something?’

  
‘I have been feeling stressed and overwhelmed by everything, maybe its all taking its toll.’

I laughed again to ease the concerned look on his face but he seemed unfazed by my attempt to smooth things over.

   ‘I think you should go see the doctor, you may need something to help.’

  
‘I’m fine, really. I don’t feel sick, just a little tired. If it gets worse I promise I’ll go see someone ok.’

  
‘Promise me you will. I would hate to have to kick your arse from here.’ he laughed and I giggled easing the tension.

  
‘I know I said locked door, no interruptions but do you mind if we just talk, I’m not sure I will be very good company tonight.’