Chapter Five
It's soon time to pick up the children and Simone looks at me and smiles in encouragement. ‘Don't worry Soph, nobody knows yet so let's just act as if it's business as usual.’
I look at her nervously. ‘It won't be long, though. You know what it's like around here, the mafia have a way of sniffing out gossip and other people's misery and when that happens my life will never be the same again.’
Simone looks at me with sympathy. She knows that it will all burst around me like an atom bomb when word gets out, and even she won't be able to protect me from the stares and whispers. I am about to be the subject of discussion around every coffee morning table and social media group chat for some time to come.
With a heavy heart, I follow her to the school. Tears burn behind my eyes as I think about what I am going to say to Harry. I will have to tell him something because he will surely notice that his father is MIA. Maybe I can make up some sort of story that he is on a secret mission and can't live with us for security reasons. I know, he could be infiltrating a crime ring and can only come back on the odd occasion when the coast is clear. Various scenarios race around my petrified brain, anything to keep from telling him the actual truth, how can I tell him that Daddy doesn't love Mummy anymore?
The playground is packed as usual and I just smile and nod at various other mums as we weave our way through the masses.
I try to ignore the cries of Mr Tumnus who I have tethered to the railings as I venture into the furthest corner of the playground. The trouble is I attract the eye of the last person I want to see - Annabelle Buckley.
A Donatella Versace look-alike who dresses in leopard print and sports the largest black designer sunglasses known to man. She has long bleached blonde hair and a stick thin figure that borders on anorexic. Most of her days are spent at the gym or in the latest fitness class after which she has her nails done or a spray tan. She is married to a record producer and drives the biggest Range Rover that they make. She is the definite queen bee of the playground and everyone aspires to be included in her closed circle. She has a daughter Daisy who is in Harry's class and an older child Sebastian who is in senior school. I feel her eagle eyes zoning in on me and can only wonder if she knows already. I feel Simone stiffen beside me as she anticipates the attack.
Annabelle prowls over to us and fixes us with a probing look. ‘Ladies, you are both looking gorgeous as usual.’
We smile at her nervously and she smiles at us. I say smile but all the happens is that she raises her mouth and shows us her perfect set of veneers, however her eyes remain as cold as ice.
‘I'm glad I've seen you both I was hoping to ask you a favour.’
Now, this is unusual. I can't imagine what on earth we can help her with? She carries on.
‘I am having a little get together at mine tomorrow morning, just a few of my country club friends and I was wondering if either of you were free.’
I can feel the shock radiating from Simone as we look at her with stunned expressions.
Simone recovers first and smiles. ‘I think we're free why how can we help you?’ Donatella smiles. ‘Oh good. I knew that I would be able to count on you both. You see, I need some people to serve the guests with their refreshments. I will obviously be far too busy and your duties would involve handing out drinks and nibbles. You're both absolute lifesavers and I won't forget it. Shall we say 10 am? You know where I live.’
Before we can reply we hear the noise of chattering females subside and know that the moment we have been waiting for all day is about to happen. The school door opens and all eyes turn to take in the divine sight of Mr Rainford.
Everything else is forgotten as we behold the God in front of us. The children race past him which is almost an inconvenience because it distracts the masses from what they really want. He smiles around him and calls out to a few unruly boys who are play fighting, and it is hard for the mums to take their eyes off him.
Edward comes rushing up and pulls on Simone's hand. ‘I'm hungry mummy, can I have some sweets?’
Without taking her eyes off the gorgeous teacher Simone puts her hand into her coat pocket and hands her son a packet of starburst.
Edward runs off in delight as Simone savours every minute of the time she has left before the school doors close. It takes me a while to realise that Harry hasn't come out and I look around me in surprise. ‘Where's Harry, have you seen him?’
Dragging her gaze away Simone looks around us. ‘No, let me ask Edward.’ She calls him over. ‘Eddie darling where's Harry?’
Edward shrugs. ‘He went home.’
Suddenly I feel as if a hand is gripping my heart and squeezing it tightly. Simone catches my eye and looks at me with a frozen look. I manage to stutter out, ‘What do you mean Edward; he should be in school with you?’ Edward looks at me as if I'm stupid. ‘His daddy came and took him.’
Simone reaches over and grabs me, propping me up against the fence before anyone can see. She whispers urgently, ‘Now take your time, put a smile on your face and move towards Mr Rainford slowly and surely. Don't let anyone see that there is anything wrong. I'll cover you, now go, go, go!’
As if on autopilot I cross the playground and head towards the teacher. A puzzled, look flashes across his face as he sees me coming, and as I reach him he smiles. ‘Good afternoon Mrs. Bailey. Did you need to see me about something?’ I look around me furtively and manage to squeak out, ‘Where's Harry?’
A puzzled look comes over Mr Rainford's face and he draws me over to the side and says quietly, ‘Your husband came for him just after lunch. He said that he had a dentist's appointment. There's nothing wrong is there?’ I can feel my world spinning out of control as I try every trick in the book not to react to his words. Lysander has taken Harry, my baby boy, what am I going to do?
Mr Rainford obviously sees my distress and looks at me with concern. He then says loudly, ‘Thanks for meeting me Mrs. Bailey, if you'll come this way please.’ I can feel the playground eyes searing into my back as I follow him inside. He shuts the door and then we are alone.