Page 14 of Never Forget You

“Georgia!” Just before I turn to leave, Harry calls out my name. I can’t ignore the way my heart leaps with joy at the sound of his voice. “I just wanted to reassure you that I will keep an eye on Ella all day. But if you’re worried at any point, you can put in a call to the reception desk and they will check in for you, see that she’s fine.”

“Perfect.” A heat rockets through my body, and I can practically feel it staining my cheeks. “Thank you.”

“But she seems to be fine already.” He smiles in a reassuring way. “So, I don’t think you will have any issues.”

I nod along, wishing that I could think of something else to say. I would love to turn this into a conversation somehow, but it’s too strange for words. I can’t think of any way to make this work other than to just nod along like an idiot. Anyway, I’m supposed to be treating Harry like a teacher for Ella and nothing more, so this is fine.

“Great. Well, I will see you at the end of the day, then.” I back away cautiously. “Thank you for everything.”

We both wave awkwardly at one another before I finally make my move and leave the school behind. I have to admit that I do feel a lot better about the whole thing. It’s definitely going to be good. Knowing that someone like Harry will be looking after her… well, it just makes everything feel so much better, doesn’t it?

I smile to myself as I head to the nearby coffee shop to order myself a much needed boost of caffeine. The girl working behind the counter seems sweet and fresh-faced, friendly, like everyone around here. As this is pretty much the only place I know well aside from home, that’s also what drew me here. People seem to have genuinely real, happy lives. That’s what I want to have from now on, genuine joy.

Maybe I don’t have the big house, the flashy cars, and tons of money in the bank, but I never wanted any of that. That doesn’t appeal to me at all. Seeing what it’s done to my family doesn’t make me yearn for that, and it never will. Money doesn’t makepeople happy. It can’t, or my father and Ben would be much better people. I much prefer my tiny apartment with just enough room for me and Ella. We don’t needthingsto be happy.

With my coffee, I head back to the apartment to get on my laptop to look for jobs. I don’t know what I want to do yet, which direction I want my career to go in, but I’m excited to start exploring my options. Whether I end up using science or not, I don’t fully know, but it’s going to be fun to control it myself, isn’t it? I really feel like a weight has been lifted and now I’m free to soar, to fly high. I’m free to finally work out who the hell I want to be.

“What are you doing?” I scold myself as I get a little too made up to go and pick Ella up from school. “You aren’t going on a date or anything, just picking your child up from school. You don’t need to look all nice for it…”

But I can’t help myself. Through everything, I’ve been thinking about Harry and that lovely smile he gave me this morning, our nice conversation, and honestly, I’m like a teenager all over again, a girl wanting to impress her crush. The last thing that I want to become is the girl who imagined her boyfriend, but it seems that I’m becoming her all over again. I can’t seem to stop myself from being deluded Georgia. Perhaps that’s who I was always meant to be.

Feeling silly but already knowing that I’m not going to dress back down again now that I’m ready, I throw on a coat, stuff my hands into my pockets, and head out the door. On the way to the school, I’m dragged from my thoughts by a weird prickling sensation on the back of my neck. It’s like I’m being followed orsomeone is watching me. For one horrifying moment, I fear that Ben has come looking for me, even though I don’t see why he would have any reason to other than to keep controlling my life, and I’m scared that I really will have to start over again even if I don’t want to. I shrug my shoulders up nearer to my ears and I slowly turn, trying to prepare myself for the worst.

The only good thing about Ben’s getting to me now is that Ella isn’t here so she wouldn’t have to hear us fighting… again. That poor girl has had enough of listening to me and Ben yell at one another to last a lifetime.

But it isn’t Ben. I don’t see anyone I know. Actually, for a few moments, it doesn’t look like there’s anyone looking at me. I’m frightened that I’m just being paranoid for absolutely no reason, but…oh!There is a set of eyes looking at me like they know me, but I can’t work out who they belong to. They’re familiar, but I don’t know why…

“Hey, Matthew!” one of his coworkers yells, reminding me of exactly who he is. “Get over here.”

Matthew.Oh, my God. It’s Harry’s best friend. He is still here as well. My heart is in my mouth as I see how he’s looking at me, like he hates my guts, how Harry should be looking at me, really. He is filled with anger about what happened all those years ago because he hasn’t heard my side of the story, and now… well, now I feel sick.

I fold my arms across my chest and bite down on my bottom lip in an attempt to stop the tears of frustration from streaming down my face. I’ve spent so long feeling guilty about everything, including just existing. I don’t need more of that. But the way Matthew glared at me showed me how hurt Harry was about everything, by me. It might have been a decade ago, but the painmay well remain here in this town, and I don’t think I can put it right.

“Are you Ella’s Mom?” I’m yanked violently from my party of self-pity by one of the other mothers at the school gates trying to get my attention. “The new girl, right?” I nod numbly. “Right, well it’s good to meet you. My name is Jane Thomas, and I’m the head of the PTA here, so anything you want to discuss, it can go through me. My daughter is Adora. She is in your daughter’s class, so I’m sure that we’ll get to know one another well.”

She’s very nice, if not a little full on. I find it hard to follow everything that she’s saying to me, but to be honest, Jane is a good distraction from my feelings. Matthew’s glare has my emotions zooming everywhere, has my chest hurting and my heart all weird. I don’t quite know what to think of it all. If Matthew hates me, then maybe Harry does as well and he’s just hiding it because he’s a professional and averygood teacher.

I’m all dressed up like an idiot, wanting to see him even if I promised myself that I wouldn’t fall for him again—or anyone, really, since I probably shouldn’t be in a romantic relationship again for a very long time—and he hates me.

I can almost feel him and Matthew laughing at me behind my back, just like all the girls did in Switzerland, just like Ben used to with the women that I justknowhe cheated on me with, just like my parents… well, probably my father. I don’t know if my mother would. She just wouldn’t stand up to him. I’ve never had anyone in my life who just likes me and doesn’t bitch about me behind my back. I guess I never will.

Thankfully, before the emotion can get to me and my new friend, Jane, sees me falling apart at the school gates, which I’m sure wouldn’t be a great first impression, the bell rings and the end ofthe school day is announced, so everyone turns their attention to their little darlings being set free. But I’m sure none of them are more anxious than me because despite everything, I just want Ella to have had a good day. I need that so badly.

I stiffen up, only relaxing the moment I spot her with a big smile on her face. I’m pretty sure that I might be able to relax for the rest of the day until the next dreaded words come out of her mouth.

“Mommy, Mr. Jones wants to see you!”

Uh-oh… My blood runs ice cold. This can’t be good.

12

HARRY

“Mr. Jones?” Georgia sounds uneasy as she pops her head around the class room door. “Ella said you wanted to see me? Do you mean now, or would it be better for me to come back in the morning before class?”

“No, now is fine.” I give her a warm and welcoming smile, but she doesn’t look relaxed at all as she comes into my room. I thought that she would feel better now because she can see how well Ella has done, but if anything, poor Georgia looks worse. I can’t stop myself from worrying about her and her life now. “I just wanted to, erm, catch up with you.” God, it’s so hard to remain professional around her when she has that haunted look in her eyes. I just want to hug her, to remind her that despite everything, I’m still here for her no matter what. “To let you know that Ella had a great first day. She worked hard and well with the other children and fit in brilliantly too. You should be proud.”

She nods and whispers her thanks at me, but I can tell that something is bothering her. I need to make sure that she sticks around for a bit in case she needs someone to open up to. Aboutanything. I mean, I can be her friend. I already know some stuff about her… or seventeen-year-old her anyway, which is better than nothing.

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