Second Chance Love in Point Perry by Joanne Speirs

Author:Joanne Speirs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Published: 2023-08-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Erin

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. The mantra is on repeat to help override the prattling in my head. One inner voice tells me I shouldn’t be here, enjoying myself in the presence of Tom and this little community. And the other voice says I owe it to myself and my healing to enjoy this day.

One minute I want to run back to the bus and lock myself in it, and the next, I want to grab Tom and whisk him away from his students. And then the sadness engulfs me. Melancholy drapes itself over my bony shoulders for all the school sports days I’ll never enjoy with my Molly. The fundraising stalls, musicals, concerts and formals I’ll never experience.

Is there a chance I could enjoy them with Carter and Tom instead? Then the guilt for even thinking about that washes over me. And so, the circle loops around and around. A heaviness pressed in my chest.

A movement behind the glass windows of the reception area catches my eye. It’s a shadow. When I focus, it’s gone.

‘Why have you stopped, Erin?’ Carter quizzes me and tugs on my arm.

‘Sorry, I thought I saw someone. Don’t worry, let’s go.’ I turn my attention back to him.

The morning passes in a blur of introductions. Carter presents me to his teacher, Miss Taylor, with the words: This is Erin; she’s Daddy’s special friend he kisses.

‘Ah, so you’re the famous Erin.’ She gives me a warm smile. ‘Carter’s been constantly speaking about you. Especially about your knowledge of rabbits. And as for Tom, trying to get him to tell me anything about you has been like pulling teeth!’

I return her smile and reach my right hand out to her. ‘Hello, Nina, I’m so pleased to meet you. Tom speaks fondly of you.’

She leans in and whispers into my ear, ‘Look after them. They’ve been through a lot.’

I give her a nod of understanding. Am I capable of looking after Tom and Carter, though? I honestly don’t know.

She lets go of my hand and ruffles Carter’s hair. ‘Carter, would you like to show Erin around?’ She gives me a wink. ‘He’s been very excited about you coming today.’

Carter gives me the grand tour, showing me where he sits, which book he’s reading, and where he puts his bag, then points out his artwork around the classroom. Then there are the introductions to his classmates who, thankfully, are more interested in Woody. They jump around trying to get him excited, but typical of Woody, he just sits calmly at my feet.

Another boy calls over Carter to join in a game of handballing a football to each other, so he runs off to join in.

There’s a tiny tug on the bottom of my tee. I turn to see a little girl staring back at me. ‘Excuse me, are you Carter’s mummy?’ Her doll face takes my breath away. ‘You don’t look like the one on the TV.’ Her eyebrows are raised, waiting for me to answer.

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