go by.
"Please help yourself," Amy gestured to the Tupperware containing the
treats.
I shook my head, "No thank you," but I smiled at her kind gesture.
"Can we have one?" Devon asked moving quickly into the kitchen
closely followed by Tommy.
I glanced at Amy who nodded her head, as she opened the box and directed it in
front of the children so they could select either a blueberry or chocolate
muffin.
"Go and sit still and try not to get any crumbs on the floor," I
barked after them as they skipped happily back into the living room tucking into
their treats.
"Your apartment is beautiful Amy, are you sure about this?" I asked
looking around at what she was offering.
"I'm sure, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't offer you a place to
stay." She touched my arm and squeezed it lightly in a comforting gesture.
I couldn't believe my luck in finding such a wonderful woman who was prepared
to help me and my children and acted like it really wasn't an issue.
"Please don't be offended but I will be taking my valuables out of here. I
feel that I'm a fairly good judge of character and don't think you'll rip me
off or become a squatter but I'm gonna do that to be on the safe side."
I nodded my head profusely, "No I totally understand Amy and I promise
that I'll be out of your hair by Saturday."
Amy smiled but then I saw her frown as she thought of something, "It's
none of my business and please tell me to fuck off but will you be getting a
visit from your husband?"
"What's the time?" I asked panicked.
"Just gone 3.00pm," she stated looking confused as she furrowed her
brows.
I backed up towards the kitchen work top placing my hand over my mouth,
"He'll be finding out now that I've left and taken the children." My
eyes watered, I couldn't control the tears as they flowed freely down my
cheeks.
"Come here." Amy opened her arms wide and scooped me into her embrace
as she allowed me to cry in the crook of her neck. Between sobs I noticed Spike
come into the kitchen but he was turned away as Amy shooed him with her hand.
Eventually there were no more tears to cry but I felt
vulnerable again. I'd opened myself up to this stranger, telling her things
that could put me in serious danger.
Amy saw this vulnerability and placed her hands on my shoulders lightly,
"Does he know where you are Louise?"
I shook my head, I had no ties to Essex so that's one of the reasons I thought it
would be a good place to start a new life.
"Well then, you have nothing to worry about. The refuge will help you with
housing and possibly a job when you're ready, and they can also help enrol the
twins into a new school. This is the life you deserve Louise and I promise to
be there to support you one hundred percent of the way."
I could feel my heart swell at her kind words, "Thank you Amy. What did I
do to deserve running into you?" I said with a smile.
"Let's just call me your guardian angel," she stated between giggles
as Amy linked arms and directed me into the living room.
"So do you like this one Spike?" Devon asked as
she stood in a bright pink top and a pair of green leggings in the best model
pose she could muster.
"I'm not into fashion Devon but I don't think those colours match."
He glanced at me and winked, "I think your mum should take over now with
the critique." He looked relieved.
"Mum look at my new clothes." She screeched excitedly.
"What's all this?" I asked looking into the bags seeing an array of
different outfits.
"I hope you don't mind but I knew you lost your belongings in the fire so
I sent one of the guys shopping. I can't guarantee that they'll all be
appropriate but it's something to build on. We've also had a whip round for
you." She said holding up a black bag full of clothes.
Tears pricked my eyes again.
"Mum it's a good thing, don't cry." Devon hugged my legs and her kind
gesture was my undoing as the tears streamed down my face. I quickly delved
into my pocket to get the hanky that Spike had given to me earlier to wipe my
tears and
Learning to Kill: Stories