Learning to Love

Chapter 1

Kadence Mitchell stood in the middle of her empty classroom; releasing a sigh she’d been holding on to for months. She reached up, slowly pulling her hair free of the high ponytail and letting her golden blonde hair tumble about her shoulders. As she looked about the room, she’d called her own for the last 2 years she felt mixed emotions welling inside her. Love for all her children and the journey they have shared so far this year; sadness at having to say goodbye to all their beautiful faces and leaving them all to start her new adventure out in the country; pride she took the plunge to make a change and anger towards Richard for his complete lack of support.

Kadence picked up one of her flatpack picford boxes and started folding it on autopilot, her mind replaying the last few month’s dramas as she slowly untacked charts and decorations from the walls. It wasn’t often she checked her work email; the faculty was a close nit group and if anyone needed anything they came and knocked on her door, but something drew to login that day and there it was, the perfect opportunity arose in a quiet town only 3 hours away in Scarlett’s Rock. They needed a substitute teacher for the next 9 months with possible extension, and it was the perfect escape and break she and Richard needed to get their relationship back on track or help show they weren’t meant to be together.

She loved Richard, she just wasn’t in love with him anymore. Let’s face facts, the only reason she was still with him was from fear of him spiraling out of control. In the beginning he’d been attentive, affectionate and a doting man. They’d drive out to the beach of a weekend and spend hours just sitting in each other’s arms by the shore, listening as the waves crashed upon the shore or spend hours laughing as they chased each other with her always ending up being caught and carried into the water fully clothed or not. They’d share dinner by moonlight then finish the evening with a stroll along the shore, her cheekily waiting out her moment to strike when she’d kick a splash of water over him then run away laughing as he’d eventually catch her and they’d tumble down into the sand together where he’d steal a kiss. She’d been head over heels in love with him; so sure he was The One. As quick as their love blossomed, it also quickly crumbled. The last 8 months he’d become possessive, jealous and suspicious. She couldn’t so much as put a new perfume on without him flipping his lid over her meeting up with a new man. No, it was definitely time for her to take control back of her life.

**********

When she announced her decision to her mother and Richard over dinner; heck she wasn’t going to pull it out at home without a witness, it was safe to say the icy reception was almost glacial. But it was her mother, Rachael’s reaction to the town’s name, Scarlett’s Rock; that had surprised her the most. She knew she didn’t imagine anything; her mother basically choked on her wine and almost dropped the glass. And looking at her now, she was positively ghostly.

“Mum? Mum, are you okay?” Kadence clicked her fingers trying to get her attention, “Earth to mum. Muuuuuuum…?”

“Why would you leave all this?” Rachael gestured with her hands dramatically. “Why leave Richard? And what about me?”

“It’s not like I’m moving to Antartica”, she rolled her eyes, “Besides, we can take turns visiting on weekends. It’ll be a great new adventure. I can’t wait to get started on decorating my new classroom!” Kadence clapped gleefully, beaming at her mother and Richard.

Rachael’s back stiffened. If only Kadence knew. Should she tell her, her secret? No, she had to try and make her stay.

“Oh darling, I’m much too busy to drive all that way. I can’t possibly run my business properly if I’m galavanting across the country.” Rachael said dismissing the notion of going back to Scarlett’s Rock, as if that town meant nothing to her at all. All the while her stomach was turning in turmoil.

Kadence decided to just let it go, but she knew the battle wasn’t over. Her mum was like a dog with a bone and there was still the drive home with Richard to consider. No, she just needed to let thing lie for the evening. Tomorrow was a new day and she would wait until the opportune moment to announce she had already given her 2 weeks’ notice for extended leave. After all, it’s only 8 months.

********

“Aww my heads sore,” Kadence moaned into the phone, “I think the sun is extra bright today to torture me.”

“Oh honey, it’s not like you’re 50 for Pete’s sake,” retorted Amanda, Kadence’s best friend.

“I’m at least 100! Kadence sagged, “Maybe more.”

“28 is hardly cause for concern. Anyway,” Amanda practically sang into the phone as she rapped on the door, “You have a visitor!”

Shaking her head in sheer disbelief her friend could be so chirpy at this time of day after the night they’re had celebrating, Kadence seedily walked to the door, ensuring all curtains were drawn as she went. As she opened the door, the rich aroma of hot coffee and warm bagels entered her nostrils and she couldn’t help but hug her friend of 6 years in appreciation.

“You, are my lifesaver, “she sighed as she released her best friend.

“Well someone had to make sure your bags were all packed and you were ready to leave,” pointed out Amanda. “Richard’s not here to help you pack or see you off?” Amanda tried to hide her smirk as she placed the bags and coffee on the table, but she needn’t bother, everyone knew there was no love lost between the two of them.

“No, he seems to think if he doesn’t help me pack, I’ll give up the goose and just stay,” mocked Kadence, sitting on the couch. “More fool him; I had most of my stuff packed the evening I handed in my notice. I’m just so excited for this new adventure. Well, I’d be a lot more excited if my head wasn’t so bad.”

Amanda popped 2 paracetamol tablets from the kitchen cabinet and handed them to Kadence before sitting down and taking a long luxurious drink of her coffee. For not the first time, Kadence watched her friend and wondered how she made everything she did look so sexy. She probably just looked like a pig in mud when drinking her coffee.

“So, what’s left?” queried Amanda.

“Well, as you saw there are still a few things left in the kitchen, my essentials in the bathroom but I desperately need to shower and wash my hair before I drive anywhere; and a few clothes and bedsheets from my room. Otherwise, everything else is done,” sighed Kadence relieved. “Except for the physical furniture, of course. Thank you so much for offering to wait for the removalists. They don’t exactly give you a definite time and knowing Richard he’d just send them away when they arrived.”

Amanda bit back her retort about Richard, knowing her friend had enough on her plate without having to listen to boyfriend bashing from her.

“Well, you suck down that coffee and eat your bagel while I strip the sheets off your bed and put them in to wash while we pack up the last bits and pieces from the kitchen. Then you can have your shower after and we can finish packing that last little bit,” Amanda said taking control, “you’ll want to get to Scarlett’s Rock as early as possible to get some groceries and settle in.”

Smiling at Amanda’s notoriously good time management skills and decision making, she tapped her coffee cup to Amanda’s reply, “What would I ever do without you.”