The Search

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

The little boy pushed open the Starbucks Coffee Shop door and smiled cheekily at his mum.

“I’m Toby, and that’s my mom Helen, don’t mind her, she can be a bit grumpy at times.”

Helen chuckled and shook her finger at Toby.

“I’m Willow.”

“Two cappuccinos and a hot chocolate, please.” Helen ordered.

I shook my head at myself taking advantage of this woman’s kindness, when obviously she thought I was homeless but all I wanted was some company, a little distraction.

“You know, I have a niece just the same age as you.”

Toby smiled.

“Her names Julie but she’s back in America.”

“Aw cool mum, she’s from America, is it true you get to go to McDonalds every day?”

I chuckled at his innocence. He reminded me of Julie because of that.

“Well no, you would get sick of it if you ate it every day!”

“That’s what I try and tell him,” Helen contributed as she placed the steaming coffees on our table.

“I could never get sick of the chips mmm.”

Toby smiled sweetly and he stuck out his tongue at his mum.

“So how did you come to here from America then,” Helen asked.

“Well that’s a long story but mostly for a guy.”

“Ohhhh you’ve got a boyfriend,” Toby teased and my heart tore.

“Toby! Don’t be rude!”

“It’s ok, don’t worry.” I said sadly.

Helen must have saw the pain in my expression so she asked no more questions.

“Do you have anywhere to sleep tonight, Willow?”

“No, actually.”

I realised I couldn’t go back to the hotel or they’d find me straight away but I’d save my next plan to find Peter and now Derek tonight.

“Come home with us for tonight!” Tony beamed.

I looked over at his mum who looked a little unsure.

“It’s okay Toby, I don’t want to bother you’s.”

“No, no I can make up a bed no problem.” Helen smiled tightly and Toby nodded his head exaggeratingly.

“Okay maybe, only if it’s not too much bother.”

I kicked myself for being so vulnerable but I had left all my money at the hotel and I was literally alone and homeless. My pride had dropped way down in my boots and shame washed over me.

Toby continued to tell me about his friends as school and how he hated his teacher Ms Copperbottom, whose real name was Ms Copper, because she always shouted at him for passing notes to his best friend during class. He told me it was his birthday tomorrow and how we would be nine and his dad was coming over to bring him a new Superjet Gun.

“I think we’ll head home and put you to bed, huh? It’s after eleven and I think you’ve done enough talking to do you for a year!”

Toby scrunched up his face and took my hand in his soft warm hand and led me down the street.

“We live just round this corner and on the top floor, like kings in a castle!” Toby boasted.

We marched up the many flights of stairs to the very top apartment. Helen swung open the door to a beautiful quaint little apartment which made me feel so at home.

“Go get your jammies on, Toby.”

Helen busied around the kitchen and then handed me towels and a pair of pyjamas and smiled at me.

“I appreciate this so much, Helen, thank you.”

“Don’t worry, now go have a shower and freshen up, Toby will want you to say goodnight.”

I had a quick refreshing shower and got into the lovely fresh linen pyjamas and I just stood for a moment taking in the hospitality of this young woman and child and it made me feel so warm and helped to numb the pain of the events in the past few weeks.

“Willow, in here.”

I heard Toby call.

I walked into his room to find his mum sitting on the end of the reading Toby a book in French called ‘Petit Nicholas.’

“Willow! Can you read me a story from your mind.”

I laughed at the quirky request and looked over at Helen. She nodded in approval.

“Okay well, once upon a time there was a little girl called…Polly! And Polly had a best friend called Toby.”

“Ew I would never be friends with a girl!”

I chuckled.

“Well this is a different Toby. But anyway, one day Toby had to go away for a long time and Polly was very upset and she packed a bag and told her mum she was going to look for Toby. So Polly got in a little boat and went searching far and near. She met a bear on her travels and asked the bear. “Have you seen my friend Toby?” But the bear hadn’t seen Toby and neither had the bears friends, the rabbit and the fox. Polly was very upset and she decided to give up, get back in her little boat and go home…”

I looked at Toby and he was fast asleep. I smiled and walked over and stroked his hair.

“Was I that boring?”

Helen chuckled and we left the room closing the door gently.

“Toby told me he wants you to stay for his birthday party tomorrow. He would love that, I would love that.”

“Thanks, I’d love to stay! I’ve already grown pretty fond of him!”
“And he, you.”

“Goodnight and thank you so much for saving me tonight!”