Broken

Chapter One

Chapter One

Denise Mills POV

Noticing that our pace was slowing down, I glanced down to look at my beautiful son's face. My heart clenched as I saw how tired he seemed but not once did he complain. I felt so guilty putting him up through this that I nearly contemplated going back to the motel and just continue the search tomorrow. Nearly. The thought of going back to sleep the horrendous place was so unappealing that I braved hours of the chilly January weather.

And sacrifice Troy's health. My subconscious reminded me.

I sighed, my breath forming smokes in the air. My son giggled as he saw the smoke and tried to make smoke but through his nose. I laughed as he only succeeded in blowing out snot.

"Mummy. Ew!" His nose wrinkled in distaste as he looked at his nose, his eyes crossing each other as he did. I laughed even harder at this and handed him a tissue to wipe his nose.

"Troy." I said as a warning as he was about to throw the tissue on the floor. "There's a bin there." I pointed.

"Sowwy Mummy." He pouted and grabbed my hand as he went to throw the tissue away.

"Come on, Troy. Nearly there now." I bent down to be level with my son's eyes and gave him a reassuring smile. Holding my hands towards him, he gladly accepted my invitation to carry him and sleepily snuggled his head in the crook of my neck straight away. "I promise. Mummy will find us a new home." I whispered into his ear whilst rubbing my hand around his back in a soothing motion.

I carried on walking, desperately looking at everywhere that advertised any properties for rent.

Eventually, we reached another estate agent. I scanned the outside window and my eyes landed on a particular letting. £500 pcm. 1 bedroom flat. Fully furnished. Available to rent immediately.

Not bad, I thought. The price wasn't as low as I would've wanted but I had enough to pay for at least 3 months whilst searching for a job to pay the others. Pleased with the plan in my head, I nodded to myself and went inside, Troy still in my arms.

"Excuse me."

The staff turned around and looked at me and Troy in my arms before smiling sweetly. "Are you and your brother lost darling?"

A small frown made it's way to my face before I tightly smiled. Numerous people have mistaken me to be younger than what I am but I still didn't like it when they were so upfront about it.

"Um, no. Me and my child wanted to speak to you about this property here." I pointed to the one that I wanted. "I'm interested in buying it."

Obviously surprised by this, it took the woman a few seconds to recover before giving me a tight smile back. She was judging me, I just knew it. "Right this way."

I followed her to a small desk and sat down carefully to not wake up Troy. He protested at the different position but fell asleep again quickly.

"We just need your details miss."

I nodded and told her all my personal details as she asked me.

"This property is available to be rented straight away. Would you still want to view it?"

I shook my head "No, it's alright." I just wanted us to get a home as fast as possible. It wasn't fair on Troy to keep having to change accommodation.