Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
My hand goes inside my pocket. I grasp my phone tightly and pray that, whatever happens, I have enough time to call the police.
Just as I turn the corner of my street, the male who was following me passes. I hear the muffled sound of a heavy bass beat and realise he has earphones in. He’s probably just on his way home from work.
I race home and lock the door behind me, my heart beating a heavy rhythm in my chest. I’m so paranoid. There is something seriously wrong with me!
It’s probably from being so secluded for so long. I’m not used to being out and about, especially at night. Nathan lives in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t have any friends, not including Lorna, a girl who used to come round for what I can only assume was sex. I’m not sure what exactly their relationship was, but something told me that Lorna wanted more than Nathan would offer.
I don’t think I’d be able to be somebody’s sex piece with no strings. Then again, I did give myself to a man I loved, so the thought of tainting that is abhorrent.
My mum isn’t back from work yet. She works in a bar in town, not a very nice one but a popular one. This means she probably won’t be back for a few more hours.
After a quick shower I climb into bed and pray that my little boy is okay. I miss him, a lot. I hope Nathan is coping. After twirling my ring between my thumb and forefinger, I carefully place it on the photo frame that holds Caleb’s smiling face on my bedside table. The sparkling diamond points at his face as the circular band rests in the corner. I don’t feel like it’s time to take it off, but keeping it on is clearly hazardous. I’d rather have it somewhere that I know it’s safe. I’d put it on a necklace but… it wouldn’t feel right after having Nathan’s jewellery around my neck for so long. Even though I don’t have it anymore, it still wouldn’t be right.
Besides, at least if it’s on here I can’t lose it.
This thought doesn’t comfort me. Why do I feel like a chapter of my life is closing? Why do I feel like I’m betraying him? It’s not that I don’t love him, because I do, but I need to get myself back together before I lose it, and I don’t mean my ring.
A few silent tears fall as I shut my eyes. Tomorrow will be a better day; it has to be.
CHAPTER THREE
Work begins and I have to admit, even though I miss Dillan it was nice not having to get up an hour earlier just to sort him out as well as myself. It’s busy, but then I expect it to be. It is Saturday after all.
We’ve created a lot of treats to place in the fridge up front, but clearly not enough, as people swarm in for coffee and snacks. By one we’ve run out and my feet are killing me. I have yet to have a break. I don’t know how Valentine does it; she’s a lot older, yet doesn’t seem fazed at all.
The bell chimes, signifying the entrance of another customer. I’m shocked when I hear a familiar baby squawk.
“That’s Dillan.” I say to Valentine, who is covered in flour from head to toe. I’m very much the same, but I also have strawberry jam splatter marks across my midriff.
“There’s a man up front asking for you.” Tiffany calls through the kitchen doorway.
I hastily wash my hands and rip off my apron before darting into the front. Nathan stands by the counter, looking at the cakes on display, a car seat in one hand and his phone in the other. Yep, he’s wearing his gloves.
“Hi.” I blink, shocked to see him. “I thought you were coming back tonight.”
“Ran out of milk.” He responds, placing Dillan’s car seat on a nearby table. “He’s hungry.”
Well that doesn’t make sense. “How did you run out? I made enough to last you until tomorrow morning.”
“I had an accident with the last three bottles.” Nathan pulls a new box of glass bottles from the changing bag, which is hanging from one shoulder. “I replaced them.”
“Oh.” Ducking under the counter, I make my way towards them, wishing I could pick up my son but refraining due to my current state. “I…” I motion to my clothes, trying to avoid eye contact. “Can’t really pick him up right now.”
Nathan frowns, clearly not happy at the current predicament. “Well what do you expect me to do?”
“I have some milk at home in the freezer. I’ve been expressing the past few days.”
He checks his watch. “I have to leave soon.”
“And I have to work.” I hiss, my eyes narrowing on him. “Mum has gone out thinking she wouldn’t be having Dillan today. Besides, you weren’t supposed to bring him back until later. It’s not fair that you’re messing us around like this.” He opens his mouth to argue but I cut him off. “No, you wanted this responsibility. You can’t just drop everything because you feel like it.”