very appreciatively. Sarah wondered if he would object to her plan to leave the house, but was relieved that he didn’t.
‘I think I’ll come with you, and escort you home - if that’s ok?’ He asked.
Her breath caught as he smiled at her. ‘Yes,’ she answered, and quickly rinsed out her mouth -‘but could you just sneak out and pretend you’re just turning up. Sorry - I don’t mean to be rude. You know, I’m just worried about…’
‘Don’t worry - I understand,’ Daniel interrupted soothingly.
‘Thank you,’ Sarah answered - relieved her kids wouldn’t see she had slept with Daniel, when they still didn’t know about Jo.
‘When we get back I’d better go straight back to my hotel and get ready to go to New Orleans.’
‘New Orleans? Is that where Heather lives?’ Sarah asked. She hadn’t realized he was going that far, and felt a renewed sense that she was losing him.
‘That’s where she did live, the ten or so years ago that I last saw her. It’s a place to start anyway.’
‘Do you have a phone?’ Sarah asked.
‘No, sorry - I haven’t had a reason to use one. But if I’m going to be away for more than a couple of days I will call you,’ he reassured.
‘I’ll give you my number…’ Sarah started to move towards her room, planning on finding a piece of paper and pen, but Daniel stopped her.
‘Don’t worry - I already have it,’ he said. At Sarah’s confused look, he added - ‘Your father gave it to me, in case you weren’t in - that day I first came over.’
Daniel quickly kissed her on the cheek and left her to get ready.
Sarah felt her heart rate slow at his absence. If it wasn’t for her rush, and Bea’s whines carrying up the stairs, she wouldn’t have been able to resist him.
When they were all dressed and ready; they hurried out, trying not to be late. Daniel had done as she asked and snuck out - she hadn’t even noticed him leaving. He gave her a wicked grin as he pretended to ‘just turn up’.
Sarah watched as Daniel looked about, wondering at his wariness. They couldn’t be in that much danger, or could they? If they were he wouldn’t be leaving, would he?
She supposed there wasn’t much that he could do without more information, and it would definitely be best if Sebastian did not return. Anything he could do to prevent that would be worthwhile.
She shuddered at the thought of Sebastian’s anger should he somehow come back - he would surely want to exact revenge for what Daniel had done to him.
Megan and Bea were quiet in the back seat with Daniel in the car. They hadn’t spent much time with him yet, and weren’t used to him at all.
Sarah drove through town and pulled up in the school parking lot. She only just found a space at the back. Maybe more people were driving due to worry over the missing people, Sarah thought.
Daniel waited in the car while she went in with Bea on her hip to drop off Megan. She entered the hustle and bustle of the classroom and read Megan a story to settle her in. Then she gave her a big kiss on top of her head and said, ‘See you later little one.’
She picked up Bea from the home corner and waved to Megan as she left. Megan ran off with a couple of friends into the depths of the classroom.
When they were walking back to the car Sarah saw Daniel through the window. He was leaning back against the head rest with his eyes shut. She felt sadness well up within her; he wouldn’t be with her for much longer.
As she opened the door he gave her a wicked grin but she couldn’t manage to return it. Tears welled up in her eyes and she looked down, concentrating on strapping in Bea.
As she sat in the driving seat Daniel reached over and placed his hand on her leg.
‘Hey Sarah - what’s wrong?’
‘You know, you leaving. I’m worried you won’t come back.’
‘Mommy go! Go Mommy,’ came Bea’s voice from the back.
Sarah started her car as Daniel leant over and kissed her cheek.
He whispered in her ear, ‘Don’t worry - I will come back for you…’
She blushed at his close proximity and quickly met his eyes before driving off.
The drive home went quickly, every second until his departure speeding up.
Once they were back at her house, and Bea was playing happily with