The Perilous Secrets

Chapter 8

"Connie I made you something" Dakota squealed from behind me as I waited at the primary school gates for her.

"Aw thank you koko bear!" I smiled sweetly taking the drawing from her which had two stick figures that represented me and her.

"I can't wait to tell daddy that I won the spelling bee this week!" She said jumping up and down as I held her hand.

"Your mum told me we're meeting your dad at the bridge" I said guiding Dakota out of the school grounds.

"I can spell big words now. My teacher said I might get star of the week for winning the spelling bee" Dakota rambled as we made our way onto the road that led to the bridge.

After a while I zoned out ignoring Dakota's rambling. I was deep in my own thought until Dakota stopped walking and letting go of my hand.

"Hm" I said turning around to face her. She was pouting sadly at me.

"What's wrong?" I said bending down to her height.

"I don't like the bridge" she mumbled as I looked back at the long bridge we had to walk over.

"I'll protect you don't worry" I said smiling reassuringly at her and taking her hand firmly in mine.

We made it almost off the bridge when a car honked to our left. The cars window opened revealing James waving at us smiling happily.

Just as we saw James Dakota bumped into a man who looked to be in his late 30s.

"I'm so sorry are you okay?" The man said bending down at Dakota but maintaining eye contact with me.

"Say sorry koko" I told her after I had made sure she wasn't hurt.

"Sorry" she mumbled hiding behind my leg shyly.

"Is there anything I can do? I could drop you off home if you would like?" He asked smiling briefly at Dakota and me.

"It's fine my uncle is over there picking us up, thank you though for the offer" I said returning his smile.

I didn't know why but something felt off, my stomach was churning with anxiety.

I picked up Dakota resting her on my hip and walked across the road to James's car.

"Who was that?" James asked as we shut the car door after we had gotten in.

"Just a guy that Dakota bumped into" I said deciding not to mention my gut feeling.

"Oh okay, well how was your days?" he asked which is all he needed to say before I zoned out as I looked out the car window at the passing trees and cars.

I could  hear Dakota talking James's ear off but wasn't paying attention to what they were saying.

Every time I zoned out my brain would make up images of how the police found my parents car in the water.

"So Connie, I was talking to a very good friend of mine" James said as he turned onto the street where they lived.

"He owns a fast food frenchise and he's looking for part time workers, he said he would happily give you a job, but I said I would have to speak with you first" James said parking the car in the driveway.

"Yeah sure why not, need a little bit of money if I'm going to be taking the train back and forth to see Eli" I said giving him a grateful nod.

"Oh follow me" James said to me as we entered the house. I raised my eyebrow curiously at him.

I did as he asked and followed him into the study. He took a bag from under the desk and placed it on the desk and taking out a dark red and grey uniform.