The Game

Fifty-nine

"When can you get her to the airport?" Kate asks.

I sigh down the phone, "Maybe tomorrow?"

"Book the flights, don't drop her off. They could be watching you. Get someone else to drop her. Send me details of the saving accounts, don't worry about packing too much. I'll buy her new clothes" Kate sighs long and hard down the phone, "Don't worry Lauren, together we will keep her safe. I'll protect her like she's my own"

I cry, "I know you would. I have no doubt she'll be safe with you in America. Its going to be hard, how am I ever going to explain this to her?"

"Just say it's a holiday, I'll take her to Disney I'll keep her occupied. It's not forever, it's only for a short amount of time" she reminds me.

"It's what's best for her" I remind myself.

"Indeed" she sobs, "Text me later with the details" she hangs up.

I place my safe phone in the drawer of my coffee table. I need to plan, I book her on a flight to America with an adult as she can't fly on her own. This plan has been in action since the day she was born and the next person I need to call is on my list, I grab my safe phone out of the drawer again and ring him.

"Hello Lauren" He answers.

We don't talk often maybe once a month for a catch up, "Keith" I sigh down the phone.

"What's happened?"

"It's time" I clearly say.

"What? Now?" he rushes.

"Tomorrow, your flights are booked from Gatwick to LA and your return is two days later. You can stay at Kates" I can't believe we are doing this. Years of planning and we are putting it in action.

"I've kept up to date with the news and to be honest I was waiting for this call. I have her safe bag here, its ready. Money, passport all her documents" I can hear him ruffling paperwork.

"I didn't think this would happen so soon, she'll be happy to see her uncle Keith and hopefully will just think she's going on holiday with you" I sob.

"I'll get her to Kate safe and sound, I'll ring her on this phone afterwards. Text me with the details" he hangs up.

This feels ridiculous, but I'd do anything to keep my baby safe.

I ring my mum and tell her of the plans, she'll drive Grace to Keith's house and he'll take her to the airport, Fly to LA with her to Kate's and then fly back two days later.

Kate moved to LA three years ago and she's visited once since but mainly we stay in contact over facetime and email. Grace adores Kate and will be so happy to visit her, she also knows Keith well from his monthly visits to her and also staying in contact over facetime. We've made sure she stays in contact for this very reason, so she's comfortable around them.

Once I've filled my mum in on the details, texted Keith and Kate of the plans. I take the phone and wrap it up in a towel. I find a hammer in the garage and smash it up until its in pieces and then put it in the bin.

I sit down to breathe, I'm picking Grace up tonight from school and dropping her round my mums as its the charity ball with Darren tonight. Maybe I should cancel but if I do that might raise suspicion, specially if the boys are watching me.
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"Hello mummy!" I collect Grace from her classroom, this is the new plan we have in action for Grace she is no longer to be collected out the front but must be collect in the classroom and have handover with the teacher. We get into the car and she looks at her overnight bag, "Am I going to Granny's?"