Haunted

January 18th

Today was mine and Jack's first date. I was worried for what would happen. No one knew that we were doing this and I didn't want anyone to find out. It would be better that way because if we ended up not being together after it all, we only had the potential to disappoint ourselves.

5:00pm
I had just arrived home from work as it had been a busy day. I was frankly knackered but my date with Jack had now given me a new lease of life.

In the kitchen stood with Dad though I didn't know what reason I was going to give him to ask him to look after Shannon.
"You doing anything tonight Lola? Tina and I are going out."
I knew I looked deflated.
"What? Do you have plans?"
"Uh yeah I do actually. They were really last minute."
"Oh that's fine. I wasn't going to ask you to look after Lily, Mark is. I'm sure they wouldn't mind Shannon too."
"Thanks Dad. I'll give him a ring."

"No need."
I turned to see Mark in the doorway. I hadn't seen him properly since New Year's and after everything that had happened all I wanted to do was hug him.
"Mark!" I exclaimed.
I ran forward into his open arms.
"Alright kid." He said, as he held me tight.

I looked up at him and I knew he could see the doubt and the hurt in my eyes. He was the only one who ever could.
"Dad, we're just going to have a chat. I'm ready to leave whenever though."
Dad nodded understandingly.

Mark held onto my arm as we walked into the living room but it was full with all of the kids.
"Back room?"
I shook my head. "Just come to my room. Guaranteed to be empty."
We walked up the stairs and sure enough my room was deserted.

Mark sat down on the sofa and sat I down next to him.
"Lola what's going on? You've been down since Christmas."
I placed my head into my hands. "This is definitely not been a good year so far."
"Come on, it's only been eighteen days. What's happened to make you say that?"
"Well the main thing is that I found out Aimee and TJ have a daughter. They kept secret for five years."
"Oh Lola."

"I'm trying to give things with Jack another go, please don't tell anyone that. I'm just not sure if it will work but I want him so bad."
"Look Lola. I'm going to give you some advice."
"Please not the first time acceptance shit."
"That's Emma. Don't worry. No, what I'm going to say is that you cannot force anything with anyone no matter if you have a child or the fact you were engaged. Treat it like you're strangers and just try and find that way to reconnect otherwise it won't end in the way you want it to."
"Okay thank you. How do you know that?"
"Emma and I are not perfect Lola."
I nodded.

"When are you seeing Jack to start this new beginning?"
"Tonight. That's why I need you to keep it to yourself and look after Shannon for me?" I smiled pleadingly.
"Done. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you Mark."

There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I called.
It pushed open and soon enough Shannon and Josh were standing in the bedroom.
"Uh, she was calling for you. I saw you come up here so." Josh said, handing Shannon to me.
"Thanks Josh."
"No problem." He said, heading out of the room.

"I'm going to go back downstairs too. Let me know when you're ready for me to take her."
"Okay, see you in a bit."
Mark headed for the door and closed it behind him.

"Mama."
"Hey baby girl. Mama is going out tonight, so Uncle Mark is going to look after you."
Her eyes opened wide. She loved Mark and Emma. They were a great aunt and uncle.

I walked over to Shannon and picked her up.
"Now shall we see what mummy is going to wear tonight?"
Shannon smiled. I knew she understood me but she was just too tired to reply. I adjusted her on my hip and I walked over to my wardrobe.
"What do we like the look of then, hey?"
"This!" Shannon cried reaching for a hanger in the middle of the wardrobe.