Page 5 of Mitch

Getting out of the car, she bent down to lift Maggie from the car seat, lifting her to her hip as she carried the changing bag that had replaced the sleek, designer purses she used to love. With her key in hand, she walked towards the main door and opened the lock. Stepping through, she made her way to the stairs and to the third floor where she stopped.

This felt momentous, like she was finally getting a piece of her life back. Maggie grabbed a handful of her braids, attempting to shove them in her mouth. Autumn gently detangled her hair from her grasp.

“You don’t want to eat that. Just wait, and as soon as I get settled in, I’ll feed you. How does that sound?” Autumn often talked to Maggie like she was an adult that would answer back. It had become natural after having her as her only real company for the last few months.

Walking over the threshold of her new home, Autumn took in the space, excitement building in her chest that this was her home. Moving to the bay window, she looked down and spotted the lawned area below. Her mind instantly envisioned time spent with Maggie in the open space with the shade of the apple tree at the back.

Her daughter began to fuss, and Autumn knew if she didn’t feed her child in the next few minutes all hell would break loose. Maggie went from nought to starving faster than Bugatti Chiron on a dry track.

“Okay, Maggie, how about we feed you first?” Looking around the large space, Autumn realised she’d need to buy a few pieces of furniture. Hopefully, she could find something second-hand and then she could save some of her money for an emergency.

Plopping her butt on the ground and crossing her legs buddha style, Autumn lifted her pink tee and released the clip on her nursing bra, before Maggie latched on like the little pro she was. It was only then she realised that in her excitement she hadn’t closed the door. With Maggie nursing comfortably, her little hand lying warm against her skin, the tiny snuffly noises she made showing her contentment, Autumn decided to leave it be. It was the middle of the day so everyone would probably be at work.

Her handler in the witness protection program had assured her this house and the people in it were safe for her and Maggie, but Autumn was still cautious. It would take a good while for her to trust anyone again. It didn’t stop the loneliness though, or the need for human contact.

Her mind turned to thoughts of a job, and she made a mental note of how much money she had in her bank account. It would last her a few months, but she’d rather not use that unless she had too. Falling back on her editing certification and working freelance seemed the best option. Perhaps when she’d brought all her stuff in, built Maggie’s cot and done a food shop, she could look into getting some work.

The door to her living room moved, and her stomach flipped with fright, her heart jumped out of her chest.

“Knock, knock?”

Mitch’s head popped around the door, his twinkly brown eyes landing on first her and then Maggie before they flitted to her face again, then up to the ceiling.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. I saw your door open and wanted to check you’d gotten settled in okay.”

His obvious embarrassment made her smile, as did his chivalry. “It’s okay, Mitch, you can look, I’m all covered up.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he stepped slightly into the room and dropped his eyes to her face, ensuring he didn’t look lower down.

“As you can see, I’ve not gotten far. When this one wants feeding everything stops. She’ll probably sleep afterwards though so I can bring it up then.”

Mitch’s eyes furrowed slightly, and he pointed behind him. “I can bring it up. Is that your Focus outside?”

Autumn nodded, her initial reaction to turn down his offer, to keep him out as she did everyone else, but he didn’t give her chance.

“Is it open?”

“Well, yes, but I can manage, you don’t have to.”

Mitch’s lips turned up at the corner, and she saw the deep dimple in his cheeky grin, her heart beating faster for a reason other than fright now. “I know, but I can get your stuff in before the removal van gets here.”

Autumn blinked at him, her cheeks warming. “There isn’t a moving van. I have everything I own in that car.”

Mitch’s handsome face turned into a frown at her words. “I see. I thought I’d said the flat isn’t furnished, but maybe I didn’t.”

“No, you did. Furniture shopping is tomorrow’s job. Today I have to get some food in. Do you know any second-hand shops around here that are good?”

“Yeah, I can hook you up.”

Autumn thought she caught the slightest hint of a South London accent in his voice but wasn’t sure. It made her ache for her parents and grandparents, who she missed fiercely.

Mitch disappeared from the room, and Autumn switched Maggie to the other side to feed, her baby already sleepy. A sigh of ease left her lips as she looked around her living space, it was small, but it was perfect for her and Maggie. They could build a good life here and maybe one day even make some friends.