That was a word that I was getting used to hearing.
He hadn’t said anything else but I knew that he wouldn’t because, although our lines were secure, he always said that you could never be too careful.
He was due to take over my watch any second now but whether we would be able to talk, I didn’t know.
Pulling my phone out when it buzzed, I swiped the screen and opened up the new message.
FROM: TY
TO: KAY
5 mins away. When I pull up, drive off.
See you at home.
I smiled and kept my eyes on the rear view mirror, looking out for him. A couple of minutes later, he drove up behind me and I pulled my seatbelt around me, switching the engine on. Making my way to Eli’s preschool, I thought about how much my life had changed.
A few months ago, I would have never gone out of that compound on my own, and now I was out on my own, not only taking and picking up Eli, but doing surveillance jobs as well. Everything was perfect. Well…as long as you didn’t count the wife that had turned up out of the blue and not talking to Corey.
I hated not talking to him. I really needed to confront him, especially knowing that he was video calling tonight. I was just so hurt, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around him being so close and not coming to see us.
Pulling up to the preschool, I took a deep breath and got out of the car. I scanned the area as I walked to the door, making sure I knew what and who was around me.
When I pulled the door open, Miss Cooper was sat in the waiting area. She stood and smiled kindly at me, meeting me in the middle of the foyer.
“Miss Anderson? I was wondering if we could have a quick chat?” She waved to the little office opposite, a reassuring smile lighting up her face.
“Sure.” I nodded and walked into the office as she followed behind me and shut the door, closing us in the tiny space.
I watched as she shuffled around the small space, which was covered with stacks of folders and boxes of spare clothes and books. You’d think for a preschool that was so busy and catered for so many children, that they would have a bigger office.
“I wanted to talk about how Eli is getting on,” she said, once she squeezed behind the desk and sat down. “I’m aware that there have been a few changes at home and wanted to talk about going forward.”
“Okay…”
“I’ve got to say, Miss Anderson-”
“Kaylee, call me Kaylee,” I said, lifting my hand and waving it in the air.
“Oh, right.” She cleared her throat and continued. “Kaylee, Eli has improved so much in such a short amount of time. He’s more confident and progressing really fast. I’d like you to consider what you will do when he’s ready to start school.”
“School?” It wasn’t time for him to start school yet, we had a year before he would start.
“I know it’s early to start thinking about it but I feel like you should try and get him in the best school around. He’s such a bright boy.” She smiled, leaning forward and almost knocking over a pile of folders.
Clearing my throat, I shifted in the chair. “So there isn’t a problem with Eli?”
“Oh, no, no. Just the opposite of what you were probably thinking. I’m sorry Kaylee, I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression.” She frowned, her face going red.
“That’s fine,” I said and pushed up out of the seat. This office was too damn small and was starting to make me sweat. “Was that all?”
“I have some great options for you to discuss with…” She caught herself before she said anything else and I looked down, feeling embarrassed. Who would I discuss them with? I could talk to Ty but he wasn’t Eli’s father, it wasn’t his responsi
bility.
“Right,” I mumbled. “Well, do you have leaflets, or…”
“Oh! I have them here somewhere.” She started to look around the room, but it was obvious that she wouldn’t find anything in the piles and piles of folders and papers.