Kristie walked down the road, smiling at the people she passed, and greeting those she knew. Her long, brown hair swung, and strands of it hung across her face. She swept a hand along her face and tucked it behind an ear. She came to the school, and walked through the gates. Then she stopped to talk to a friend, and eventually, Ray came over and pulled at her skirt. Kristie looked down at him. "Hey honey, how you doing?"
"Good, mum. I got a new friend!" He grabbed a nearby boy's arm and pulled him over. "This is Marty." He nudged the boy. "Say hi, Marty!" The other boy giggled a little, before looking up at the woman. "Hello," he said. Ray tugged her skirts again. "Can I go to his place? His mum says it's alright. Please?"
Kristie smiled. "Of course. I'll come get you at about five, okay?" The little boys grinned, and Ray cheered. Marty gave Kristie his address, and then they were gone, before Kristie could even meet the boys mother. She shook her head. "Boys will be boys," she said to the her friend, and left the school to walk back home.
Two hours later, she grabbed her keys off the rack and headed out the door, grabbing a jersey off the back of a chair and pulling it on while she walked. The chill of the wind bit her bare legs as she got into the car, and began driving. She quickly found the house, which was only a few minutes drive from her house. She knocked on the door, and she heard someone walking to the door. It opened, and she gasped, then put a hand to her heart.
The woman smiled. "Oh, you must be Ray's mum! I've heard a heap about you. Uh, are you alright?"
Kristie breathed deeply and laughed shakily. "Sorry! I've been flat out all day. Just feeling a little faint."
"The woman laughed too. "I know what you mean. Kids really do run you down. Name's Angie." The two of them shook hands, and Kristie blinked several times! She doesn't remember me, she thought! But she knew. Even on that dark night, all that time ago, even under that dark hood, she recognised that face. "Please, come in," Angie said. We'll have some coffee."
She turned and walked into the house, and Kristie followed, still shaking. They went and Angie pointed her to the table while she put the kettle on. Over the noise of the two boys playing, Angie talked to her and stirred the drinks. She finally finished and brought them to the table. She set them down and Kristie took a quick swig. The strong scent and taste took her back to reality. Then she began to function properly.
The two began to talk, and Kristie even managed a laugh. Then the kids came in, panting and with bright red faces. "Hey mum!" Ray yelled and ran over. He jumped up on her lap and the coffee began to sway from side to side inside the cup. She put it down to stop it spilling, and ruffled his hair. Then she looked at Marty, and she was glad Ray was blocking Angie's view of her face, or she might have seen the smile that came across her face.
She lifted Ray off her lap and stood him on the ground. "Well, thanks for the coffee. I'd better get going and make this one some tea. Thanks for having him."
Angie smiled. "He's welcome here anytime. He's a great kid."
Kristie looked back at Marty. "Same with little Marty here. You know, if you want a break tomorrow, he could come round."
"That'd be great! I'll drop him and Ray round tomorrow after school."
And so the plans were made. Kristie took Ray home, and during tea he drilled her with information about his new best friend. If he had been older, he might have noticed an unnatural eagerness in her attention. But he was only six years old, and he knew no better. And that night, when Ray was fast asleep, Kristie lay awake, elaborating on her own plan.
And if you haven't noticed by now, I tend to not write very short stories. This was originally meant to end next part, but it might extend for another four or five before it lets me go. Just a warning.
