PAYBACK IS A BITCH

Chapter thirty five: Billy's accident

The door closed behind Billy, and I made my way back into the living room to see my babies coming down the stairs, all dressed for school. I smiled at them, feeling lighter for a reason I couldn't pinpoint. Breakfast is ready, guys, I said, preceding them to the kitchen.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Josh asked as they took their seat while I served their food. "Yes, why?" I turned to look at him curiously. He shrugged his shoulder. "Nothing, just that you seem very happy."

I frowned. "I am usually happy." Instead of speaking, his brother said. "Not these past few days. I am guessing things are alright between you and Dad?" I looked at my eldest and saw in his eyes that he was aware of the friction between his father and me. He was always the shrewd one.

"You could say that," I replied vaguely, with a slight smile playing across my lips to make my words believable. After I had served them, I made a plate and joined them. "Would you guys love to go to the zoo this week?" My eyes moved around the table as I waited for a response. 

Immediately, Sophie's eyes lit up like stars, bringing a smile to my lips. "Yes." 

I grinned at my daughter, who nodded vigorously as she filled her mouth with eggs. Still smiling, I turned to the boys, asking for their opinion.

Josh nodded his head, more interested in the food in front of him than the topic of conversation.  "Is dad coming?" Dave asked, staring at me. "Of course," I didn't hesitate to answer. I held my son's eyes to assure him that he had nothing to worry about. 

After food, the kids left for school while I headed off to work. When I walked in, my boss gave me a stinking eye for being five minutes late, which earned him a discrete eye roll. I made my way to the back to change to the dreadful uniform that I believe drives customers away rather than makes them think we are professionals. 

I haven't been at my station for a minute when my boss came looking for me, behind him were two police men. A tall, slender woman and a short, rotund man

"Bella, these two want to speak to you," he said with a smug look on his chubby face as if his trouble-making tendencies had finally caught up with him. 

I ignored my annoying boss and focused on the two policemen. They both had a grave look on their faces, which made me uncomfortable and worried. They certainly didn't come bearing good news. 

"Can I help you, officers?" I looked at the policemen, doing my best to hide my worry. The two police officers hesitated to speak, with the short man looking worried that he would be made to speak. Their actions didn't inspire any good feelings in me. The woman took a deep breath and decided to be the brave one. "I am Officer Chambers, and this is my colleague, Officer Tim. We are here on behalf of your husband."

My heart flew to my throat. "Is Billy alright," I jumped in, a worried look on my face, my heart racing a bit.

"I am sorry, ma'am, we don't have good news for you." 

My expression paled. "What is it?" I demanded softly. 

"Your husband got into an accident on his way to work this morning. I am afraid he didn't make it." 

"What!" I gaped at the policewoman, shocked. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I had just spoken to him not long ago, and now they were telling me this. 

"I am sorry," the policewoman began again, but I cut her off. "What happened?" I asked softly, a dazed look on my face. 

"He had a heart attack on the wheels." 

"Heart attack," I whispered like it was an alien word. "He is just fifty." Billy is older than fifty, but who is counting now that he is dead? "I know this is a shock to you, but yeah, it can still happen at that age."