Free Bella by D.J. Barrett Page B

t remember the last
time that Ben and I ’ d had such a good
talk.
        “ I used to be at your
house all the time and didn ’ t even know Ted was
my father, I never really had the chance to get to know him. I wonder how many
more secrets there are. ” Ben said. 
       “ I don ’ t know. I haven ’ t found the letter yet and I ’ m not even bothered about looking for it. Maybe
I will one day. I ’ m not sure. ” I lied.
    Ben sat down and looked serious and I certainly wasn't
expecting what he was about to say.
        “ Obviously we know our
father isn't Simon and Lizzie ’ s. I shouldn't say
anything to you, but I have to. Victoria told me she knows something. She
thinks that you and Simon are in love. ” My face went red.
        “ What do you mean Ben? ”
       “ All Victoria told me
was that she knows something about Simon and Lizzie and that he ’ s in love with you. I told her she was being
stupid. ” 
       “ When did she tell you
this? ”   I asked him .
       “ When they were here
for the wedding. ” I could see he
wanted to tell me more; however we were interrupted by Lizzie ’ s car pulling up. I told Ben to forget about our
conversation and that it was a ridiculous thing for Victoria to say.
         When Simon walked in through the door he looked as
sexy as ever and I felt my heart skip a beat. We gave each other a hug; Ben was
watching our faces and I felt a little embarrassed, thinking about what must be
going through his mind and remembering Victoria ’ s hostility at Tammy and Roy's wedding.
        The day after, we all sat down and ate the food that
had been prepared for Violet ’ s party. Then we had
a few party games for violet, her birthday party went well and she received lot
of gifts. Violet was getting tired so I decided to put her to bed.
    After we all played monopoly; it felt like old times once
again.
        The phone rang and it was Victoria ’ s mother to say she ’ d gone into labour. I told Simon; however, he told
me that she didn ’ t want him there.
    How could I tell him he wasn ’ t the father.  I looked at Ben.
    Simon noticed the glances and asked 
       “ Am I missing
something here? ”   I looked at him and
said.
       “ Ben should tell you. ”
    Ben took Simon into the garden and told him the news. Simon ’ s face was raging; how could she? He shouted.   I ’ d never seen Simon this angry.
    He stormed out of the house slamming the door on his way
out. Ben told me to leave him alone and let him deal with the news in his own
way.
        The next day we were told Victoria had had a little boy
and called him Luke. I sent cards, it wasn ’ t the baby ’ s fault, but I was angry with Victoria.
    Simon had taken the news very badly. I told him when he was
ready to talk that I would be there for him.
        We received news that Victoria would be returning home
to Light house Cove and Simon ’ s mood was thankfully
a little better.
    Deciding to clean up and sort out all my personal things, I
realised the letter was missing.
    When I first found it, I had put it in my bag and then
moved it to a box in my room, where I kept other personal papers and things. I
noticed that the padlock was missing, and the key had disappeared from my draw.
I must have searched everywhere, but I couldn't find it. Someone must have
taken  it, but whom?
    Everything was going through my head, the missing letter,
my family, Victoria and particularly the attraction I had for Simon.
    I loved Marco, but I knew I wasn ’ t in love with him and realised it might be
better to end our marriage.
    I went over to speak to Tammy and Roy about how I was
feeling.
    They asked me to think about what I was doing and not to be
so hasty. So I decided to give my marriage one last chance.
        The fact that Victoria was back in Lighthouse Cove
worried me a little, if she had an idea of the attraction I had for Simon, who
else would she tell. I decided it was better to confront her