Chapter 1
It was a dark, cold, rainy evening when Kylie left work. She had just finished her shift at the supported living home where she worked. She knew these late shifts meant she wouldn’t see her son, Will, until the following morning. The thought of simply climbing into bed as soon as she got home made her feel selfish, but Kylie had been through more than most over the pastyear since losing Will’s dad, Daniel.
She had spent every day trying to rebuild their lives. Working on herself while making sure Will never felt the absence of his father had been emotionally and physically exhausting. No matter how hard she tried, she often wondered if it would ever be enough.
As the rain poured down, Kylie became increasingly soaked. Her long black hair clung to her from root to tip, and the thin waterproof jacket she’d grabbed that morning—when it had only been drizzling—was no longer much use.
As Kylie walked along the long, winding country lane, she checked the reflective bands around her wrists and ankles. She was always hyper-vigilant when walking this road after dark. There was little point in driving when she lived only thirty minutes away on foot. The walk home gave her time to switch off from work, step out of “work mode” and “mum mode” for a while, and simply be Kylie.
Her mind drifted to the months ahead. Half term wasn’t far away, and Christmas would soon follow. She wondered how she was going to make it special for Will this year without stretching herself too thin.
The peaceful silence was suddenly shattered by the roar of an engine.
A car came hurtling around the bend far too fast.
Kylie’s heart leapt into her throat. Instinct took over as she jumped into the hedgerow, grabbing hold of the rough bark of a nearby tree to stop herself sliding down the muddy bank. The car sped past within seconds, sending a wave of filthy rainwater crashing over her.
“For goodness’ sake! Slow down!” she shouted after it, though the driver was already disappearing into the darkness.
She let out a long sigh before carefully climbing back onto the lane. Brushing the mud from her waterproof jacket and jeans, she checked herself over before continuing the walk home.
She had no idea that this was only the beginning of the night.
As Kylie stepped through the front door, her once light waterproof jacket hit the floor with a heavy thud. It was completely soaked. She kicked off her trainers, wincing as cold water squelched inbetween her toes on the hallway floor. Her socks followed, clinging uncomfortably to her feet.
Walking towards the kitchen, she pulled her oversized top over her head before wrestling her rain-soaked jeans from her legs. Hopping awkwardly on one foot, she finally freed herself and laughed quietly at the sight of the soggy pile she’d left behind.
Then she heard it.
Ping.
The familiar sound made her smile before she even reached the kitchen.
“Bon appétit!” came a cheerful voice.
There stood Phoebe.
Barely five foot tall, with blonde hair that never seemed to stay in place, she was a little ray of sunshine. For years, she’d been Kylie’s best friend, but after Daniel died, she’d become so much more. Phoebe had moved in without hesitation, helping to hold Kylie and Will together when grief threatened to pull them apart.
“What would I do without you?” Kylie asked, smiling as the comforting smell of dinner filled the house.
Phoebe grinned. “Probably live on cereal and burnt toast.”
Phoebe placed a steaming bowl of spaghetti bolognese on the table, followed by a plate piled high with garlic bread.
Kylie’s eyes lit up.
“What would I do without you?” she laughed. “You always make my favourites.”
Phoebe smiled as she sat opposite her.
“So, how was your day?” Kylie asked. “More importantly, how did Will get on today?”
“He had a brilliant day,” Phoebe replied. “His new teacher couldn’t stop talking about him. She was really impressed with how much he knows about animals.”
Kylie couldn’t help but smile.
“And…” Phoebe continued, “there was a little girl in his class who was being bullied at lunchtime. Will quietly went and sat next to her so she wouldn’t be on her own.”
A wave of pride filled Kylie’s chest. Despite everything life had thrown at him, Will had the kindest heart.
“Oh, and before I forget,” Phoebe said with a grin, “I even managed to get vegetables into his dinner without him noticing.”
Kylie laughed.
“How on earth did you manage that?”
“Trade secret.”
Phoebe had been a special educational needs teacher at Will’s school for several years. Whether it was encouraging Will to try new foods, helping him navigate difficult days, or simply knowing when he needed a little extra reassurance, she always seemed to know exactly what he needed.
Sometimes Kylie wondered what she would have done without her.
She wasn’t just Kylie’s best friend anymore.
She was family.
