Plus One. ~ Sequel to 'Love Unlocked.'

Chapter 7 Part 5: Are you keeping secrets.

Cassidy:

I wake up feeling Perri's arms around me. I smile and slip out of his hold. Grabbing my phone I head into Ava's room. She's wide awake, standing up in her cot.

"Morning beautiful!" I say picking her up.

I take Ava into the kitchen placing her in the highchair. I warm up some baby food and sit down next to her. It takes me about 15 minutes to feed Ava completely- about a quarter of the food going on the floor. I wipe up the mess then carry Ava into the bathroom. I run some warm water into the bath and place some toys in. I wash Ava then change her into some jeans and a t-shirt. After that I put her down next to her toy box and shut the safety gate.

"Morning babe." Perri says pulling on his black jeans.

"Hey." I say heading over to the wardrobe.

I pull on some black leggings, a loose grey tee and my white converse. I add a triangle necklace before plaiting my hair. When I sit down at the dressing table I tie a red spotty headband around my head. I add my usual makeup, which takes about 15 minutes.

I'm making the bed when two arms snake around my waist.

"I wonder who that could be!" I say spinning around.

"Aha, how did you know?!" Perri says kissing me quickly.

"Lucky guess!" I laugh.

It's about 10:30am when we are ready to leave.

"I've just got to pop to the shop, do you want me to take Ava?" I say shutting the door behind us.

"Yeah, if you want." Perri says getting into his car.

"I will see you at the studio then." I say heading in the direction of Tesco's carrying Ava.

I reach Tesco within 20 minutes. I grab some bread then head down the soft drink isle. I walk down the empty isle before stopping in front of the fruit shoots. I'm talking to Ava and debating which flavour when I feel someone's presence behind me. I turn around taking a sharp intake of breath.

"Why do you look so scared?"

"I... I... I've got to go." I say hurrying away.

But I can't. A firm grip on my arm is stopping me.

"Get off! You're hurting me." I state.

"Good!" They say.

"Do you enjoy ruining me life?" I say through gritted teeth.

"Very much!" They grin. "In fact, I have something to give you..."

"What?" I say trying to loose the grip, to protect Ava.

I feel a firm object come in contact with my cheek bone. It leaves- then comes back. I cry out- so does Ava. She hasn't been hurt but she's scared. I open my eyes, my eye and cheek throbbing.

"Now, if you tell anyone what's happened, next time it will be this little princess!" They spit trying to stroke Ava's hair.

I quickly move Ava out of reach from the monster. They walk off leaving me standing in the middle of the empty isle. I pull myself together and grab some fruit shoots. I make my way over to the tills. I quickly pay for the drinks and hurry over to the studio.

"Hey Cassidy! What happened to your eye?" Starr says from behind the desk.

"Oh, um, stupid fruit shoots! I tried to pull them down from the top shelf- but I couldn't do it one handed. It fell and caught me in the face!" I lie.

"Really! Looks painful. I bet that hurt..."

"It did!" I say heading into Studio 1.

I put Ava down, and she crawls over to the boys. I go and sit on the mats and open up my front camera. I inspect the damage around my eye.

"Hey Girl!" Jord says. "What you done to your eye?" He asks pointing.

"Bloody fruit shoots fell down when I tried to get them!"

"Ouch!"

"Yeah, I know!" I laugh.

Perri comes over and takes me into the changing room. He closes the door and looks at me. His face serious.

"What really happened?" He says touching my cheek.

I wince in pain and pull away.

"I told you all, the fruit shoots fell on me." I say carrying on the lie.

"Why don't I believe you?" He says looking sadly into my eyes.

"I don't know Pel." I say. "If it was Billy then I would tell you."

"Are you keeping secrets from me?" He asks.

"No! Of course not!" I say looking shocked.

"Look, I'm sorry for doubting you." He says pulling me into a hug. "I'm just worried that's all."

"I know." I sigh. "Me too."