by S M Mala
‘About him?’
‘About his reasons.’ Then she quickly glanced over her shoulder to be certain Mylo couldn’t hear. ‘Dean didn’t help matters, telling me that Mylo’s making a mistake. It’s a lot to take on.’
‘And his child?’
‘How do you know?’
‘He told me about Kayden and the father.’ Henry’s smiled slipped. ‘That’s the reason you’re confused, isn’t it? How can he love you after loving a man? I know Erio really well and if you’re a good friend of his, you’ll see that it’s about who you love, not what you love.’
‘I don’t know.’ She bit her lip and shook her head. ‘The fact that he told you means he’s open about it.’
‘Don’t you want him to be?’
‘I want to be sure I’m enough for him, that’s all.’
‘As human beings, we are never enough, believe me.’ He reached down and grabbed a small parcel from his bag. ‘This is for Mylo and you to remember me by.’
‘Presents?’ Mylo asked, returning to the table.
‘A painting. Original. Might be worth something in years to come,’ grinned Henry then he turned to Bea. ‘Thank you Bea for taking time to talk to me and make me realise a few things.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like confusion is sometimes the key to clarity.’
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ she laughed, looking at the present wrapped in brown paper. ‘But I expect it is something deep and meaningful.’
‘Just like me but on that note, I have to love you and leave you. Got to cab it back and freshen up.’ Henry got to his feet as did Mylo. ‘Lovely to meet you. You have a precious one there.’
‘Thank you,’ he said and the men hugged.
‘Keep her safe.’
Bea was about to get to her feet but he put his hand out.
‘Oh no, you stay put.’ Henry bent down and looked into her eyes. ‘Now you be good. We will meet again soon.’
She grinned as he kissed her nose before heading out.
‘What did you tell him?’ Bea examined the package on the table. ‘Anything I need to know?’
‘I told him that you were unsure about me, mainly because I hadn’t been totally honest with you at the beginning of the relationship. He guessed about me having an ex-boyfriend then I mentioned Kayden.’
She looked sharply at him and didn’t know what to say.
‘I need to get Kayden a present. He sent me a text saying he wanted to talk. I could do it here but he’ll then want to know why I’m on holiday without him.’ Mylo sighed. ‘He’s going to love you, I know he is.’
She unwrapped the package and burst out laughing.
Mylo grabbed it out of her hands and then shook his head as he laughed.
Henry had painted her body from the neck to the hip, with the plain focus of attention, her breasts. In his eyes they were extremely round and brown, with dark blue nipples.
‘You know, it’s lucky he doesn’t have to work. He can’t make much money out of his paintings. Kayden’s scribbles are a bit like this. And you don’t think he fancies you?’
‘He has a boob fetish,’ she grinned. ‘He paints like a six year old, doesn’t he?’
‘I missed you.’
Mylo was staring at the screen within an hour of them returning home. ‘How’ve you been?’
‘Daddy, they’re so mean to me. Punch and hit me and call me names and they won’t stop,’ he sadly replied. ‘They say no-one loves me and you don’t love me because you live far away. They have real daddies and I don’t. And I don’t like them because they hurt me.’ Then he started to cry and Bea felt sad.
‘What does your dad do about it?’ Bea could hear the anguish in Mylo’s voice as he tried to remain calm.
‘He says I’m telling tales.’
‘Kayden, that’s not entirely true,’ she heard Cole say and her heart went instantly cold, mainly because he reminded her of Dean. ‘Your daddy is going to worry if you cry.’
‘I miss you! I want to live with you!’ the little boy wailed and Bea could see Mylo looked increasingly upset. ‘Come home. I want my daddy!’
‘This is my home,’ he gently replied, touching the screen, trying not to cry. ‘I love you so much.’
‘Can I come live with you? Please daddy?’
‘Kayden,’ Cole gasped sounding shocked. ‘You can’t live there. We’re your family.’
‘You don’t even like me, daddy Cole, that’s why you’re mean all the time and spank me and tell me it’s all my fault.’
‘What’s your fault?’ asked Mylo, taking a deep breath.
‘That you went away.’
‘Kayden,’ hissed Cole. ‘Stop telling tales.’
‘See!’
‘Listen to me,’ Mylo said gently, though his voice was shaking. ‘Soon you’ll be here and we’ll spend so much time together, I promise. You can then tell me everything. Daddy Cole will make sure it’s going to be just me and you. Let me speak to your dad for a minute and then I’ll say good bye.’
There were sniffles and the little boy walked away.
‘What’s going on with my son?’ Mylo sharply asked.
‘Our son,’ Cole corrected as Bea’s heart sunk.
‘He better not have bruises when I see him,’ Mylo said in a hushed tone. ‘No-one should be laying a finger on my son including you. I told you this had to stop.’
‘Our son is being looked after to the best of my capability!’ snapped Cole. ‘Don’t go twisting it!’
‘His welfare is the upmost of importance to me. Since I came back I can see a difference in his behaviour. And tell River to keep away from him. That kid is unhinged and I don’t want Kayden to get hurt.’
‘Do you think I’d allow that?’
‘I don’t know. You seem to be.’
Bea walked away, knowing she shouldn’t snoop, but something didn’t sit right.
The little boy was being picked on by the older child and they knew there was bruising on his body. From Bea’s experience of this sort of behaviour, it only got worse if an adult wasn’t aware, or not doing anything about it. On meeting Kayden she could see he was small for his age and a delicate little thing to boot.
She would have to tread gently with Mylo about this.
Then she noticed a text message and it was from her dad.
‘All in one piece? We need to discuss the wedding arrangements.’
She dreaded the idea.
‘Hey,’ Mylo said and she could see he was upset.
‘Is Kayden okay?’
‘Nope. He wants to stay here for the duration when they come over. I told him he couldn’t and-.’
‘Why not?’ Bea was confused by his comment. ‘He can stay. I’ll go to daddy’s.’
‘That’s not what I want.’ He walked closer and grabbed her hands. ‘I want you to be here but it might be awkward.’
‘For him or me or you?’
‘All of the above. He’s never seen me with anyone else other than his father. I’m not sure how he’ll take it.’’
Not knowing what to say, she realised this was just the tip of the iceberg.
‘How do you want to do this?’ she asked, looking at his strained face. ‘You want to flit around it with him, like you did with me? Unless you’re worried about his reaction?’
The question said it all. The apprehension in his expression.
‘I see. It seems both of us are afraid of things. You’re worried about your son and I’m worried about my daddy’s reaction.’ Bea let out a long sigh. ‘Why are we doing this again?’
‘Because we’re in love and want to be together.’ Mylo touched her cheek. ‘And I want a life, a future with you and a family. That’s the most important thing.’
‘Is everything all right? I heard him crying.’
‘I worry. River hates the child and a few things have happened that-.’ He hesitated and looked at her. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Sometimes a pare
nt can’t see clearly what’s going on with their own child. They are predetermined not to see the bad. If that little boy is being bullied under his own roof then you need to do something about it.’ She looked at the shocked expression on his face. ‘As part of my job, I have to detect things like this when I go to various schools.’
‘He’s not being abused,’ Mylo said, as if confused by her comment. ‘I would know.’
‘Would you if you’re not there? I’m not scaremongering but that child is in a vulnerable situation.’ Bea smiled. ‘You call Kayden and tell him that he can stay with us, when he comes over.’ She made sure she emphasised the ‘us’ when she spoke. ‘You don’t have to tell him about me. Now let’s forget about bad things and go for something to eat.’
‘Are you sure?’ He looked relieved. ‘Really?’
‘Really,’ she replied, not too sure at all what she was letting herself in for.
But she was more intrigued about the relationship between the two dads and their adopted son.
A little boy who seemed to want to be with one daddy more than the other, plus he was getting bullied at home.
That spoke volumes and she was going to find out the real reason why.
‘Eight weeks.’
Bea was smiling at Chloe. They were sitting at the usual café. ‘That’s how long before you get married.’
‘Yep,’ she replied, not wanting to talk about it. ‘I’m thinking of inviting your mum.’ As she said it, Chloe grimaced and shrugged. ‘I need an adult with you as you’re under eighteen and there’s going to be booze.’
‘She’ll want to bring her child boyfriend with her.’ Chloe then smiled. ‘He’s apparently cooling off and she’s well pissed off.’ The girl started to laugh. ‘And after everything she put me through over the past eighteen months. I couldn’t wish it on a nicer person.’
‘Chloe Dewhurst!’ Bea shook her head furiously. ‘Your mother, though I am not a fan, was trying to do her best but got it wrong. When I do see her again, I will tell her so but not at the wedding.’ Then she grinned. ‘I’m happy your results were amazing and I’m terribly proud.’
‘Thank you,’ Chloe said, smiling and looking more like her sixteen years. ‘I would never have done it without your help and my dad knows that too so does my mum. I want to complete sixth form then study art.’ She blushed. ‘And I like being there.’
‘Did I hear correctly?’
‘I had a long talk with my parents.’ She then scowled. ‘They think that your encouragement has helped, well, dad does. And anyway, mum had to come back from her holiday to speak to my dad. He was really unhappy about what happened and how she was treating me. Mum was upset because she had to leave her love child to get up to all sorts of stuff. He keeps talking about someone he met when he was away and she’s really jealous.’
‘Chloe, what happened for her to come home?’
‘I sort of got…’ she hesitated. ‘Cautioned by the police.’
‘What?’ Bea shouted so loudly, the people on the following table were startled along with Chloe. ‘What the hell for?’
‘Being under the influence as a minor.’ Her face went bright red. ‘It was a bit bad as I had to go to hospital and my grandparents were worried. Dad was flying back in and mum was nowhere to be seen. The agreement was that she would stay with me until he returned. She broke her part of the deal and my grandparents got into trouble. It was hard core.’
Chloe looked shifty as hell while Bea sat back in her chair, sipping the lukewarm tea.
‘Why the hospital visit?’
‘I fell over and grazed my back.’
‘How?’
‘An accident,’ she said, going redder by the second.
‘Are you okay now?’ Bea was trying to keep her composure while wanting to slap Chloe’s mother really hard. ‘Nothing else you need to tell me?’
‘A few cuts and scratches but they wanted to make sure because I was a little drunk.’
‘Were you charged?’ she asked calmly, knowing if Mr Mandelson found out, the chances of Chloe being allowed back into the school were minimal. ‘I need to know the facts.’
‘I got drunk with some people I met locally, fell over, then the police got involved before realising I was hurt. Then I went to hospital.’
‘What people?’
‘You know some friends.’
‘You mean those dodgy looking boys from a few weeks back?’ Then Bea’s heart started to beat rapidly. ‘They didn’t hurt you, did they?’
‘I know how to do karate, you know,’ was the dead pan reply. ‘Anyway, they tried to spike my drink so I pretended to have an epileptic fit.’
‘Chloe! They could have-.’
‘They were idiots and I just wanted a spliff, that’s all. They thought they were doing me a favour but they weren’t.’
‘What have I told you about drugs?’
‘I’m not stupid. It wasn’t for me, it was for someone else.’
‘Who?’
‘Doesn’t matter.’
‘Tell me,’ she asked, in her most threatening voice.
‘Tyler.’
‘Bruno’s ex. Why on earth would you do that?’
She didn’t really need to wait for the answer.
The child wanted to fit in with the other bitch girls and was willing to do anything. Bea bit her lip and glanced away.
‘But you’re okay?’
‘I don’t even like Pernod! My parents used to drink some aniseed poison when we went on holiday to France. At hospital, they were more concerned about the graze on my shoulders, thinking something untoward happened.’
Bea’s mouth dropped open and she was worried Chloe wouldn’t speak up.
‘Do you want to tell me?’
‘I know you think I’m pretty silly but I’m not. I don’t go to places where people can’t see you and I certainly made sure that I wasn’t alone with them. People can be dangerous, I know that.’ Then she let out a little sigh. ‘Do you know how hard concrete is when you’re rubbing up against it? Those paths in the park should have a warning.’
‘Honestly, if I ever have children remind me to put them into a nunnery.’
Bea started massaging her temples as she knew Kayden was due at the house.
The idea was beginning to make her sweat.
‘Are you okay?’ Chloe asked, peering into her face. ‘You seem a little stressed.’
‘House guests. I better go.’ They stood up. ‘Keep away from bad boys and girls. You know we have some new people joining us in the sixth form in September so there might be someone you like.’
‘Or if not, I’ll come hang out with you.’
She gently squeezed Chloe’s arm and watched her mount a skateboard, travelling off into the distance.
Now she had to brace herself for what was to happen in the next hour.
Somehow she knew it didn’t bode well.
‘You’re late.’
Mylo greeted her at the door. ‘Bea, don’t be scared.’
Then footsteps came pounding forwards and the door was flung open.
The little boy smiled as Mylo picked him up.
‘Hello it’s me,’ he said, looking at her with his big brown eyes. Bea grinned on hearing his sweet little American accent again. ‘It’s Kayden.’
‘I’m Bea.’
‘I saw you last time we were here, didn’t I? And you didn’t know who you were.’ He giggled. ‘That was funny!’
And the dread and hurt she felt that fateful day came back as she faltered for a moment.
‘You live here with my daddy, don’t you?’
‘Let her come in,’ Mylo said, holding her hand and guiding Bea down the corridor.
Then she saw Cole standing by the living room door.
‘Hello,’ she said, realising it was up to her to be the gracious host. ‘I’m Bea. Nice to meet you again.’
The smile looked uncomfortable, not forced but confused.
She looked at Mylo who shrugged hi
s shoulders.
‘Is she here?’ someone asked. A tall, lanky kid with jet black hair walked out and looked at Bea up and down. He had small eyes and seemed threatening. It was more than evident he looked like Cole’s ex-partner. ‘This is the woman.’
‘I am a woman and who are you?’ she replied, taking an instant dislike to him knowing he hit Kayden. ‘I’m Bea.’
‘That’s a stupid name.’
‘River, don’t be so rude,’ Cole sharply said. ‘I’m sorry about that. Teenagers.’
‘His name is River so he’s a fine one to talk regarding names,’ she replied, making Kayden slyly smile.
Then another boy came out who was smaller and had inherited Cole’s looks. He grinned and walked forward, putting out his hand.
‘My name is Bligh. Nice to meet you.’ He was blond and blue eyed, very pretty and was about to reach puberty. ‘Thank you for letting us come to visit.’
‘It’s Mylo’s house, not hers,’ piped up River and she realised that the oldest child wasn’t impressed.
‘Your manners simply haven’t improved, have they?’ asked Mylo looking in disgust. ‘I won’t accept it, do you understand?’
‘I don’t care. You’re not my dad.’
‘He’s my daddy and if you’re mean to him I’m going to let you have it!’ said Kayden, trying to look threatening but ended up more adorable. That was when she noticed the fear in the child’s eyes as he looked at River then at Bligh. She wondered if the other two adults had spotted it but realised they were eyeballing each other out. ‘You have to stop being mean.’
‘If I find out you’ve been hurting him, there’ll be trouble,’ Mylo said to River, then looked at Cole.
‘He lies,’ sniffed River, folding his arms defiantly.
‘No, I don’t, daddy,’ Kayden said, starting to look upset.
Bea looked at all the male bodies in the corridor, noticing Bligh looked uncomfortably at his father then at the snarling River.
‘We better head off,’ said Cole and she noticed he was staring at her. ‘We’ll come back tomorrow then Kayden can stay a few nights.’
‘I don’t want to leave my daddy, ever!’ Kayden said, holding onto Mylo’s neck. ‘I don’t want to go.’
‘But you’ve not got any clothes,’ sighed Cole and Bea could see he was upset about Kayden’s outburst, mostly because it was evident which parent the child favoured.