Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 123922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“You can all pack up, and line up by the door. The bell will ring in a few minutes.”
The talking that quickly ensued was so loud it gave me an instant headache.
“Pack up quietly, please,” I said loudly, a stern look in place on my face.
This hushed everyone up, and my head was grateful for it.
“Miss Collins?”
I looked at Niamh, a blonde girl who sat in the front row of my class, when she spoke. “Yeah, darlin’?” I asked, smiling at her.
She was so cute that I wanted to squeeze her cheeks.
She nodded to my stomach. “Are you excited to have your baby?”
Some of my male students groaned and it caused me to giggle. The girls in my class loved talking about my baby and asking all kinds of questions about pregnancy. A few weeks ago the boys got fed up with it and zoned out whenever the girls asked me about being pregnant. They used the time to close their eyes or stare off into space.
I found it hilarious.
“I’m very excited.”
Niamh smiled at me. “I bet. Me ma is havin’ a baby too and I’m super excited.”
I beamed. “That is brilliant, you’re goin’ to be a great big sister.”
“Thanks,” Niamh blushed. “I can’t wait to help me ma take care of the baby. She said I have a huge job to help her because me daddy got a new job and he has to work hard so we can buy new things for the baby.”
At that moment, my love for Kane grew even more. He took away my worries about money—he also gave me precious time that could be spent as a family. If I had to worry about money, or a babysitter so I could work, I didn’t know how I would I have coped.
“You’re a very good girl for helpin’ your ma, and you’re goin’ to have so much fun with your new brother or sister. You’ll be the one to teach him or her all the fun things.” I winked.
Niamh giggled, and so did her friends.
I could only imagine what ‘fun things’ they thought of.
A few seconds later the bell indicating school was over rang loud. It did nothing for my sore head, but it did relieve me knowing I could go home and stay there for the day.
I loved Fridays.
I walked out behind my students as they filed out of the classroom, and headed out to the yard where they each lined up until their parents made themselves known. Luckily it only took ten minutes for me to say goodbye to my students and their parents. I went back to my classroom and began to pack up my things.
I grabbed my phone and its charger and put them in my bag along with my lip balm and mints. I clipped my bag shut, hooked the strap over my shoulder and walked out of the classroom, locking the door with my keys behind me.
The hallways were clearing fast of older students as they always did on a Friday because it was a half-day. I made my way down the hallway and headed for the staffroom so I could hang the keys to my room up on the key rack. When I entered the room, it was just as scarce as the hallway. Staff members wanted to get out of the school just as much as the students did.
I hung the keys to my room up on the key rack and left the staffroom, smiling to myself.
I was halfway down the main hallway, headed for the exit of the school when I looked up and saw a man leaning against the wall outside the school doors.
He was just standing there, waiting for something... or someone.
Who was that?
“Aideen?” I looked over my shoulder when I heard Kiera’s voice call my name. I saw Kiera coming towards me so I stopped walking and waited for her to reach me. While I waited, I turned my head and looked back down the hallway. I was surprised when I found the area outside the school doors were empty.
No man.
“I’m going crazy,” I mumbled and turned back in Kiera’s direction.
“Hey,” Kiera breathed, “I’m glad I caught you.
I pushed stray hairs back out of my face. “Is everythin’ okay?”
“Yep, everythin’ is perfect.”
Perfect?
I smirked. “Who is he?”
Kiera laughed, “How did you know it was a man?”
I shrugged. “You got that big goofy smile on your face.”
“You’ve had the same smile for a while now, don’t rag on me.”
I laughed, “I happily admit mine is for Kane, who is yours for?”
“His name is Trevor Moore. I met him in Tesco, of all places.”
I froze. “Trevor Moore?”
Skull?
Kiera frowned. “Do you know him?”
I swallowed. “Trevor is Skull, babe.”
Kiera’s face dropped. “Oh.”
I pointed my finger at her. “Don’t you even think about what you’re thinkin’. Skull and I are old news. I love him to death, but only as a friend. He feels the same way about me.”
Kiera groaned, “But he was your lad for years, it’ll be weird if I-”
“It’s only weird if you make it weird. Skull is amazin’, and I’m being honest when I say you won’t find a better lad than him. He is a gem, Kiera, and how rare are gems?”
She gnawed on her lower lip. “You really don’t mind if I go on a date with him?”
“I really don’t mind,” I assured her.
She eyed me. “Are you tellin’ the truth?”
I nodded my head. “Honestly, if I could pick someone for Skull, it’d be you.”
She flushed. “It’s only a date.”
“Then why’re you so giddy about it?”
“Because he is perfect,” she gushed.
I burst into laughter.
Kiera playfully swatted at my shoulder. “Stop laughin’, I haven’t been on a date in years. I’m in me mid-thirties, I shouldn’t be this giddy over a man.”
“Skull is the man, though. He is brilliant. You have every reason to be excited.”
Kiera beamed. “I really am.”
I was so happy for her, and for Skull. Kiera was perfect for him.
“When is your date?” I asked.
Kiera slumped. “It’s tonight.”
I frowned. “Aren’t you on detention duty tonight?”