Daisy is the soft-hearted mother of one with a dark past and an ex husband she's running from. She's spent the past six months building a new life for her and her daughter, Hope, trying to blend into the world around them. Her memories are tainted...
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As we strolled along the freshly cut grass, hand in hand, I couldn't help grinning. I had Hopes tiny hand buried in the other, as she wanted to show me her favourite part of the park; her tiny little face was too hard to say no to. she had her mothers gorgeous sapphire irises, making her 'puppy eyes' extra hard to resist.
The park was a main attraction where we lived, it was more than just a playground for children. Surrounded by metal black fences, assigned with gates that locked every night at eight exact, it was enclosed making it feel safe. We had just trekked an extra long pathway towards the huge pond located in the middle. There were bunches of flowers, rose bushes, willow trees, oak trees etc. all placed together, coordinated to look attractive. They were also blocked by a small metal fence to prevent them being damaged. The trees blocked the light, but the colour exposed from the plants was vibrant and vivid; different shades of purples, pinks, yellows and reds were scattered around us compensating the blocked sun.
After strolling along the patch of grass adjacent to the pathway, predominantly used as a picnic area, we reached the pond.
"look the duckies" Hopes small lips spread into a smile exposing her milk white baby teeth. My automatic reaction was to pick her up so she could see further along the pond, as there was a small wall to prevent children trying to go in.
"Is this okay?" I whispered to Daisy, gesturing to Hope in my arms.
As I fully turned to face her, waiting for her reply anxiously, she was already staring. Initially it was an expression I couldn't read, but then it morphed into adoration. I could see the warmth behind her eyes.
"Of course it is" she replied.
I returned her answer with a smile, focusing my attention back to Hope. She had her small arms engulfed round my neck with her head bobbing up and down, as she explained all the times she had fed the 'duckies' with mommy. I took every word in. Listening, and devoting all my time to her. I always loved children, so this wasn't scary to me. If anything I was in my element.
"Look at that one! That ones big! Mommy look!!" She wiggled her index finger, shouting as loud as her two year old lungs could allow her, as she became fascinated with a swan.
"I see it sweetie, what's it called?" Daisy asked from beside me.
"A swan!" Clever little girl.
"I never asked you, what do you do?" The question was unexpected. Completely out of context for what we were just literally doing. I was caught of guard. Do I tell her? I don't want to physically lie, but how do I know she won't try take my money?
"Erm I work for this company, it called 'choco galore'" I tried not to look at her as I said it. I was about to swallow my pride, and do something that could completely wreck us.
"What do you do there? If you don't mind me asking that is" her genuine interest in me made my chest tighten. I couldn't believe what I was doing.
