Page 7 of Rider Forbidden
I feel like I'm getting sorted, dad already had a property that he rents out, it became vacant three months ago and he hadn't got around to renting it. I’m insisting to pay rent on it though, I’m going to pay my own way. Dad has hired me as a consultant for his company, not quite sure what I’m doing yet but I’m on payroll and I’ll be getting a wage, and now I've got Elijah in school – bonus - it's close by to our new place, just a short car drive.
We arrive back at mums and dads house. Elijah is still over the moon at now having grandparents that he can see every day. Every time he sees them his face lights up and I feel guilty all over again. Guilty that I've deprived him of this for four years. What would those years have been like though if I’d stayed around here? I probably wouldn't have a relationship at all with my parents - we would have fallen out long ago - at least this way we stayed in touch. At least now Elijah has a family.
We walk in the front door and go through to the kitchen where I can hear mum.
“Hey mum.”
She spins around, her face lighting up. None of this was her fault, I feel nothing but love for mum, but I wish she could have talked to dad more, had a little more pull with him. He's the boss of the house for sure.
“Sweetie . . . Elijah. Guess what? I thought you might want to bake cookies with me?”
Ha, silly question, what kid doesn't love to bake?
Eli jumps up and down. “Yes, I want to! Can I break the eggs?” Eli is a seasoned baker back in London, it's one of my favourite fun activities for a rainy day - he's an expert egg breaker.
I pat him on the back, “Go wash your hands and I’ll get a chair for you to help Grandma.”
He goes off to wash his hands. “He got in school mum, thank goodness, that's something else I don't need to worry about. I need to get him some uniform now, but the lady in the office at school said he only needs a jumper and I can get that whenever - he already has everything else from his old school, trousers and PE kit - so at least there's no pressure.”
“Oh, that's so good sweetie, I'm so glad you're getting settled here. I never thought I’d see the day. It makes me so happy.”
“It makes me happy too mum. I'm sorry we have lost time to make up for but I'm sure we will.” I give her a sad smile.
When dad found out I was pregnant at twenty, before I’d managed to finish Uni, he went berserk. It was the worst time of my life, without a doubt. I still can't believe that my rotten luck caused me to get pregnant on my first time, with someone I didn't really have any feelings for. I just wanted the whole virginity thing out of the way, I liked Bobby of course, but I knew he wasn’t the one. I couldn’t handle dad’s reaction - I needed to get away - dad was stifling me and I couldn't take the disappointed look on his face any longer.
He wouldn't say it now, but I think he's secretly proud of me. I made it on my own. My brother, who is twenty-two, would happily sponge off dad for the rest of his life. He likes to live a rich lifestyle, whereas I will do anything I can to get away from it. It's not real.
“Where’s dad?”
“He's just got home, he's in the shower I think, he’ll be down in a minute - especially as he's probably heard you come in with Elijah.”
Just as she finishes speaking my dad walks in. “My ears are burning.”
I smile. “Hi dad, I was just asking where you were. I need details about my new job.”
He waves his hand, “I’ll give you the brief Monday after you've dropped Elijah off at school . . . I'm taking it he got in OK?”
I nod. “He starts Monday - but I want to know more Dad, I don't want to wait until Monday. What will I be doing?”
“Robyn, all you need to know is that you are checking out an investment of mine on-site, making sure everything is running like clockwork. Just dress smart casual and turn up after school, I’ll give you the details then.”
I sigh, he's so stubborn, why can't he just tell me?
“Fine, dad.” Is it too much to ask to know what my job will be on Monday?
“Now, where’s that grandson of mine.”
I'm not going to get much out of him now, Elijah is a huge distraction. I guess I’ll find out what investment I’ll be checking out on Monday then.
ChapterFour
Jack
I groan when my alarm goes off. Normally I can’t wait to get to the track, today I'm dreading it. I don't want to be watched like a little puppy being toilet trained. I fucking know what I'm doing. I need a stupid little rich bitch following me around like I need a hole in the head. I don't do well with authority - being told what to do. I'm going to end up telling her to fuck off, then she’ll run and tell her daddy, then I’ll get my investment pulled - all because I can't keep my mouth shut.
No Jack, you're gonna have to put your big boy pants on today and shut the fuck up.
I take a shower; I hear my mobile ringing and ringing until finally whoever it is gives up. Once out I check who called. My heart sinks. Brinley - Star. Fuck. Greg Brinley, owner of star enterprises, and the person I have to suck up most to in the world. He's probably telling me about his darling daughter.
