"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 108 - "Decorating and Movement..."

Chapter 108 - "Decorating and Movement..."

Clara's PoV

'Is that it?' John asked as he popped some pills that morning and handed Poppy her pills.

They were like two peas in a pod.

'Yep. All the building work in the loft is done. All I have to do now is sit down with the kids and start the decorating up - then we can do the big move any day now' I said excitedly.

The whole purpose of building the extension meant that we can get rid of Evie and Avia up onto the third floor leaving 3 bedrooms and the office room down on the middle floor. Originally the top room was for John and I but we changed our mind.

We decided to get rid of the two that drive us both bonkers up into the extension that way they can drive themselves bonkers.

That was left 1 for Poppy, one for John and I, and one for Henry. Then dependent on what gender the baby is one can share. Thus leaving the spare room down in the basement for guests.

Somewhere a lot further down the line that will become mine and John's bedroom but only once the kids are old enough to be trusted upstairs on their own.

The office room will become a nursery for about 5 months we had decided because that way it was close to us - and easy for us to get to the baby - plus we won't be able to build a cot in a room because we won't know what gender it will be because it could go either way.

'What colour do you want your room Poppy?'

'Purple. And with silver stars. Because Daddy promised' she said snuggling into him.

'You know Henry wants green? That doesn't seem like a very practice colour' I hummed. 'It's bad enough the thick brick in his arm is bright green without 4 walls'

'Well we can always paint one wall green to keep him happy and then paint the rest white' John hummed as he looked at his watch. 'You'd better go. The kids finish school soon'

'You are coming tomorrow night right? I think Avia really wants you there' I said as John smiled.

'It's open evening of course I'll be there' he hummed as if it was obvious.

'What do you think about her results for the 11+? You think she'll manage?' I asked nervously.

'I think she'll be fine. But there's no point putting too much pressure on it' John said with a small smile.

The only trouble was that I wasn't sure Evie would be able to manage. I wasn't sure that she would be able to pass it. If Evie doesn't pass it this time next year then she won't be able to go to the same school as Avia.

Of course the school that we are choosing for Avia is the one that is the best for her and of course it's private so fees are astronomical.

'If she doesn't pass then she can't go' I grumbled but the school was so perfect for her. She wasn't an outgoing person, she doesn't do sports all she has is academics and books. She sort of needs this.

- - -

'How long until Poppy comes home for good?' Avia asked as Richard was building her bed in her new room and I was helping her to organise things a little.

'Hopefully soon'

'How soon?'

'In a few weeks we hope but we can't promise anything. Now come on start organising your clothes in the wardrobe' I hummed. 'But were hoping that we can keep her home for a little while longer this week' I explained.

'Is Daddy coming to my big school tomorrow night?'

'Yep' I said as I went down to the kitchen to leave her to organise and started working on the dinner which was to be nothing extravagant - but picked up the post from the hall on the way through.

It was junk. It always is. Except for one letter that had my eye.

"To the Parent and Carer of Avia Smith"

I couldn't open it without John. That wouldn't be very fair. But at the same time I was excited for the result but also very nervous.

I hadn't made a big deal out of it to Avia because it was a big deal. If she knew that she would be stressing more than she needs too.

'Mummy. Are we going on holiday this year?' Evie asked as I pushed the letter in my bag and continued with dinner.

'Huh? What are you talking about holidays for? It's February?' I scoffed.

'Lacey in my class is going to Australia for the whole summer. I want to go somewhere for the whole Summer' she said with a shrug.

'Not this year Hun. With Poppy being sick and the baby being due and born in the summer I doubt very much that's going to happen. Anyway you've been to Australia before' I hummed.

'I know but I was little then. I was 4. Now I'm 9... I'll be 10 soon' she said rolling her eyes as the front door opened and in came two bounding boys.

'Hey how was beavers?' I asked as Lilly shook her head.

'Don't even ask'

'How can they get into any trouble? Henrys only got one bloody arm' I scoffed as he was straight through the front door and into the kitchen digging through the biscuit tin. 'Nope. No biscuits for you young man. Dinner will be ready soon'

'Can we have Dino chicken?' He said excitedly.

'Yeah okay. You staying for dinner? Richards only just got started on Avia's bed' I explained.

'Yeah. Yeah sure. I umm need to talk to you Clara' Lilly said.

'About?'

'Just a chat. Can we go to your room?'

'Ahuh'

- - -

'He's not pimping himself out is he?' I said awkwardly knowing the potential answer to this one. I don't think he would but he would do anything in his power for Lilly.

I had to sort of play along at the moment.

Now I know where it is that Richard really spends his evenings - I have to be mindful.

I want to tell Lilly but it wouldn't be fair. I'm doing it her best interests but I don't like the idea of her worrying herself sick.

'I don't know. He says no. But what if he is? What if he's sleeping with other women to get money?' Lilly questioned confused.

'Have you asked him? Like upfront?'

'How can I? He'll think that I can't trust him but with this other woman who he's working for it just all seems a bit suspicious. Maybe I should be flattered?'

'No. You shouldn't be flattered if he was selling himself to other women' I said astonished she would even say that. 'Want me to get John to talk to him?'

'Do you think that would work?'

'I dunno. It's worth a try'

'I just don't want Ollie thinking it's okay to do things like that to make other people happy - it's not the way' Lilly scoffed sadly.

In reality John had no idea either.