Page 66 of A Game of Secrets

"You're up early kiddo, did you sleep alright?" I ask, grabbing the dustpan and broom from the cupboard and starting to clean up the spilled cereal.

"Yeah I was just so excited at being a ninja and wanted to make you jump," he cheers, pouring milk over his mix of Cheerios and Cookie Crisp. "Can we go to the park today Mom please?" he adds on with a mouthful of food and milk dribbling down his chin.

I laugh and push the kitchen towel towards him. "You mucky pup. You've got more of that on your chin than anywhere else. But yes OK, if that is what you want to do."

"Yes please, I can practice my ninja skills on the squirrels, and the birds," he says, flinging his arms around in ninja chop actions.

"Good luck with that baby," I smile, finishing off my coffee. "We can go whenever you're ready, just make sure you put something warm on because it looks a bit cold today, and maybe your boots," I say, taking a peek out of the kitchen window. "It looks like it might rain."

"Not my boots Mom, they're not for ninjas," Teddy groans into his breakfast bowl.

I turn to face him and raise my eyebrows. "Yes Mr, you will wear your boots or there will be no park," I instruct and he rolls his eyes as if I can't see him do it sitting right in front of me. "You cheeky monkey, don't roll your eyes at me, it's a fair negotiation."

He huffs loudly and takes another spoonful of cereal as he admits defeat, "Fine." That was easier than I thought it would be, I praise myself. Teddy finishes his breakfast at lightning speed, even with my warnings to slow down or he'll give himself a tummy ache, then he canters off to his bedroom to get dressed.

"Remember to put a jumper on," I shout down the hall then quietly slip out of the front door quickly skipping across to the SUV parked just off from the bottom of the driveway and tap on the window.

"Hey Lucille, is everything okay?" Enzo asks, frowning at me.

"Yes everything is fine, sorry it's just I'm taking Teddy to the park. I just wanted to run out and ask if you wouldn't mind sort of hiding a little bit. I'd rather he didn't see you or know the house was being watched if you know what I mean." I mumble, trying not to make it sound so awkward.

Enzo just smiles at me and nods. "Of course, I understand. Don't worry, he won't know I'm there."

"Thanks so much, Enzo. I best get back." I reply in a rushed whisper then half run half tiptoe my way back into the house and start putting the breakfast plates ready to be washed like I had been doing it the whole time.

"Ready to go," Teddy calls out as he runs into the kitchen living area then jumps and karate chops the air.

"Wow, okay big guy, you better take it easy on those squirrels," I laugh. "Go put your coat and boots on and then we'll go." I shrug on my own coat and slip my feet into my own boots and then we leave hand in hand, I look back over my shoulder as we walk off the driveway and notice Enzo parked much further down the block and give him a slight nod, then we continue on our way, skipping, jumping and karate kicking all the way to the park.

"Mommy shush, don't move," Teddy part whispers, part shouts, as we step onto the park grounds and he pulls on my arm sharply so I come to a sudden stop. The hairs and the back of my neck begin to prickle and I wonder if Teddy has spotted somebody lurking behind the bushes. I swing my head around quickly surveying the area but see nothing.

"What is it Teddy?" I whisper, squeezing his hand in mine. Teddy releases me and crouches low to the ground and points over to the left towards a group of trees and bushes "Look, over there at that squirrel," he says and the breath I hadn't known I was holding whistles its way between my lips. Bloody child nearly gave me a heart attack. If only he knew.

"Wow, yes I can see him. You better be quick if you think you can catch him," I say, crouching down beside him.

"Watch this," he says, holding his hands out in front of his face as he makes his way around to the side of the bushes, crouching low the whole time being sure not to make any sudden movements. I make my way over to the closest bench and watch as he narrows in behind the bush and just as I can see he is ready to jump, the squirrel hops off up the tree and back into his little hole between the branches. Teddy lunges himself from the undergrowth shouting "GOTCHA!" as he does, but when he notices his prey has already disappeared he wanders round in a circle trying to find which direction it went in and I laugh as I watch him get too dizzy then fall over.

"Lost him," he sighs, finally walking over to me.

"Oh don't worry baby, you still made me jump when you came out of those bushes," I say in an attempt to cheer him up. Teddy looks up at me and grins widely.

"Really?" he asks,

"Really, really," I reply. "Now go and play." Teddy whips around instantly and gallops off towards the climbing frame. I sit back against the bench and feel the buzz of my phone in my pocket.

"Hey babe," I say when I answer.

"Hey honey, how are you? I haven't heard from you all weekend since the incident at kindergarten so I thought I'd ring to check in," Kat says.

"I know. It's been a bit of a weird one, sorry to ghosted you. I just needed to spend some time, just me and Teddy. We went to the indoor pool yesterday and now he seems to think he's a ninja, throwing himself off the climbing frame at the park," I laugh as I watch Teddy dive roll across the floor.

"These kids like to keep us on our toes don't they?" Kat says politely. "I'm glad you're OK, I was really worried about you."

"You worry about me too much. I'm alright, we're both alright. Cole has had one of his guys watching the house all weekend anyway so that has eased a bit of tension anyway." The line goes silent for a minute.

"You mean he isn't staying with you himself?" Kat asks with slight hesitation in her voice.

"No," I sigh. "I haven't actually heard from him since he left on Friday either but I know he must be busy with work." I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince more when I say that.

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