AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After I collect Freddie from school at three, Erin comes around to our flat with her suitcases packed and the four of us enjoy a final farewell meal together of roast garlic and butternut squash risotto, followed by Arctic roll, all washed down with liberal helpings of Aqua Libra. It’s a very emotional time as the three of us have never spent more than a week apart and this feels like a step into the unknown. All throughout dinner, I keep praying that this will not be the final time I ever see Cynthia. I want her to return from the trip to Frankfurt completely healed so that we can get on with the rest of our lives. All I can do is hope that my wish is granted.
Then around nine pm, a taxi arrives to take them to Heathrow airport. The flight is in the early hours of the morning, so they need to get a head start on the journey. Hurriedly, Freddie and I help my mother put her suitcases in the car boot, and then with tears in our eyes, say our final goodbyes.
“Are you definitely sure you’ll be okay?” Cynthia whispers. “I feel so guilty leaving you guys all alone like this.”
I wipe my wet face and force a smile. “Mum, I told you everything is going to be fine. Don’t worry about us. I promise to phone you every day at the hotel to keep in touch, okay?”
“You’d better do or I’ll be on the first flight home.”
Laughing through our tears, we all share a group hug, then Erin and Mum get into the taxi, and I stand on the street corner waving them off, my chest tight with emotion. As sad as I feel, I know this is for the best. It’s my mother’s one shot at sorting this out once and for all.
That night, I sleep in Freddie’s bed to help comfort him and it’s the best rest I’ve had in ages. Gazing down at his sweet cherubic face as he sleeps, I swear never to allow any harm to come to him. God knows what the future holds, but whatever happens I will do everything in my power to keep my little brother safe and protected.
The next day, as we’re having breakfast before school, the buzzer goes, and I answer the communal entry door to a delivery man holding a large cardboard box.
“I’ve got a parcel for F. Gardner,” he smiles, putting the heavy item down on the mat. “I just need someone to sign for it.”
“A delivery for me?” Freddie squeals, jumping up and down in his bare feet. “I’ve never had a delivery before. This is so exciting!”
It is indeed, but who is it from, I wonder?
Thoughtfully, I scribble down my signature and wrestle the hefty box into the kitchen.
“Open it! Open it! I want to see what it is.”
“One second, Kiddo, I need a knife to cut the tape.”
Moments later, the package is open and my jaw drops when I see inside is a brand-new Super Nintendo with so many games they can barely be contained. My brother shrieks with delight and instantly begins unpacking them. What a wonderful surprise, but who on earth sent it? It isn’t Freddie’s birthday, and I can’t imagine who else might want to send him something like this. Unless of course by some miracle, his deadbeat dad Darren has finally decided to step up and actually acknowledge his child’s existence.
“Wow, this is amazing,” I beam. “Christmas has definitely come early. It looks as if someone has bought you every game in the Woolworths’ Top40. I wonder who sent it? Is there a card or anything that came with it?”
Freddie rolls his eyes. “I already know who sent it, silly. It’s from your secret boyfriend.”
“What?”
“He came to my school the other day. He spoke to me through the fence at playtime and he was wearing a hood and this funny mask and I don’t know why because I couldn’t see his face and I’d like to see his face. He told me he was your secret boyfriend and said I shouldn’t tell anyone because it’s a secret.”
My body stiffens.Alex came to Freddie’s school? Oh my God.
“And then,” my brothers continues excitedly, “your secret boyfriend asked me what I wanted most in the world and I told him a Super Nintendo just like my friend Ollie and now he’s got me one isn’t it brilliant? I like your secret boyfriend, Jess. He’s much nicer than Jack. I didn’t like Jack.”
For a few seconds I’m struck dumb. This is getting out of control. I can’t believe Alex went to see my brother in broad daylight. And he was wearing a mask? Jesus, this just gets crazier and crazier. Of course, the gifts he has bought for Freddie are lovely, but I just wish he had discussed it with me first. It feels like I’m being overwhelmed again.
Still, it was awfully sweet of Alex.
Then I remember something else. Today is the first day that we will be on our own since my mother’s departure. Alex said he would come back to claim me as soon as she left. Does that mean he is coming for us tonight to take us back to Claremont Hall?
“Jess?”
“Yes, Freddie?”
“Why does your boyfriend wear a mask? Ollie says only superheroes wear masks. Is your secret boyfriend a superhero?”
“Um, yes, you could say that,” I smile.
After I’ve dropped my brother at school, I pay a visit to Sloppy Joe’s to hand in my notice. When I enter the place, I find it virtually empty. Typical Friday morning.Song2by Blur plays softly in the background, suggesting Amina has taken control of the stereo again. Taking a deep breath, I walk towards the long serving counter where the girl in question is busy stacking plates and polishing cutlery. A broad grin sweeps across her face.
“Hiya, Jess, what are you doing in? You’re not working today, are you?”
