The Fractured Wife

Chapter 9

It was a busy few days getting the things that Roma needed for her families new home and getting the boy’s rooms sorted. Grant wanted everything to do with cars and tools while Conan wanted his room decorated with superheroes. Roma was making a cup of tea and started wondering if she could go and introduce herself to her new neighbours. Jane and Stefan had to work so they weren’t around much. 

Roma stepped out of her house and looked around wondering why people were out more in the evening than during the day. She had met a couple of the neighbours in passing and saying hello but that was it. She noticed that people would avoid coming near her and she noticed that Jane and Stefan would whisper when she was around. “I’m going to have to figure out what’s going on.” Roma thought to herself.

The next day Roma met Jane for lunch near Jane’s work. Jane was the owner of a chain of jobs Roma found out that were very successful. Roma decided to ask Jane what the deal was with their little neighbourhood. 

“Jane can I ask you what deal is with our neighbourhood is? Every time I go out of the house people looking at me weirdly and it’s starting to make me paranoid.” Jane choked on her tea and stared at her sister like she had grown horns. 

“Listen now isn’t the best time to discuss it but if you and the boys come over tonight I’ll explain everything.” Jane said hoping Roma will change the subject quickly. Roma seemed to accept her answer as she breathed a sigh of relief. “I have to go back to work but I’ll see you tonight. Bring something sweet.” Jane shouted as she walked back to her work.

Roma decided to do a bit of shopping while she was out as the boys were in school and didn’t get back till late afternoon. She was worried when the boys started at their new schools but so far they had made friends and were enjoying their new way of life. 

Roma was tired after her shopping spree but managed to get some new clothes for the boys and even picked up a few bargains for herself in the process. All afternoon when she was waiting on the boys getting in from school she started feeling like she was being watched. Every time she looked around thinking someone was close she couldn’t see anyone. “Must just be my imagination,” as she shrugged the feeling off and carried on putting her purchases away. 

The boys ran into the house shouting and carrying on between them. “Grant has a girlfriend! Grant has a girlfriend!” Conan sang happily as he ran into the living room where his mother was. 

Grant came in a mood due to what Conan was singing at the top of his voice. “Conan shut up will you? Your such a pain.” Grant shouted at his brother. Conan instantly fell silent and ran up to his room. Grant flopped himself down on the couch and groaned. Conan had seen him with a girl after school outside of her house talking and started shouting that he had a girlfriend.

“You know that he was only teasing you,” Roma said from where she sat in the living room. She felt guilty that Grant had grown up so much in his life. “Look maybe you should go up and talk to him, you know he looks up to you.” I suggested to him. “yeah maybe your right but he is a pain mum, I wish he would leave me alone sometimes especially when I’m with my mates.” Grant got up and stalked up to his room to do to whatever he does in his room. Roma sighed as she got up and walked up to Conan’s room.

Roma knocked on Conan’s room and opened the door. Conan was sitting at his desk drawing pictures. Roma walked up and looked over his shoulder. Conan was drawing a picture of their family but something seemed to bother Roma about the picture. “Conan what are you drawing? Who are they?” She asked pointing to the people. Conan started pointing to people. “There you are mummy, Grant, me, Auntie Jane, Uncle Stefan and Charity.” Roma smiled but then in the trees in the background there was another figure. “Conan who is that hiding in the trees?” Roma pointed to the figure in the trees. “That’s the man. He tries talking to me but I don’t listen to him as you told me not to talk to strangers.” Conan said with a feeling pleased with himself. 

Roma started to wonder who this mystery guy was. She kept her thoughts to herself but the mystery man was bugging her as to his identity. She walked down the stairs. “Guys we are going to Aunt Jane’s for dinner get your butts in gear, we leave in 5 minutes,” Roma shouts up the stairs to the boys.

When they are ready they head next door. As they are walking Roma is lost in her thoughts when she runs into a wall or what felt like a brick wall. She keeps her head down. “ I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was walking.” Roma says embarrassed. 

“It’s my fault I was in a rush sweetness.” Roma loved the Scottish accent but this guy made it even better and slightly sexy. She starts slowly lifting her head to see what this guy looks like. She sees the legs first, she notices that the dark blue denim is hugging his legs nicely. She continues lifting her head and notices a broad chest that sits under a tight black shirt. Roma’s curiosity takes her to look at this man’s face. No sooner had she looked at his face she gasped. His eyes were a grey colour and his hair was dirty blonde that was styled in a bed-head style. He had a crooked smile on his face and his teeth shone from under his lips. Roma thought they were very kissable lips. “Get a grip girl” Roma warned her. 

“Do you live around here? I’ve never seen you before.” Roma asked as she wanted to see more of him. She didn’t realise she was holding her breath as she stared into the man’s eyes. “Yeah, I live in the last house. I heard we had new neighbours but I never knew she would gorgeous.” The man laughed as he ran his hand through his hand and looked down at his shoes. “My name is Lucien, and you are?” Roma felt her cheeks burning now while she playing with her hands. “My name is Roma and I’m Jane’s sister. These are my sons Grant and Conan.” She laughed nervously.

Lucien couldn’t believe this woman in front of him was old to be their mother. “Well, I need to get home. Was very nice to meet you all and welcome to the neighbourhood. Hopefully, I will see you around.” With that, he started walking to his home.

Roma  let the breath out that she was holding in as she watched Lucien walk away from them staring at his butt as he walked. Roma could feel the heat still in her cheeks as she shook herself. “You are acting like a teenager, stop it.” Roma scolded herself as she hurried her and her boys to her sister’s house. When she got to Jane’s she couldn’t help but keep thinking back to Lucien. “I’m going to have to talk to Jane about him.” Roma thought to herself as she walked into Jane’s house.

“You look deep in thought.” Jane said when she saw her sister. “What’s got you blushing?” Jane asked Roma concerned. “I just met the most handsome man just now, I know I’m still technically married bot WOW what a man!” Roma gushed like a lovesick teenager. “He lives in the last house and he’s called Lucien. Jane do you know him?” Roma looked at her sister waiting on her answering.

“He moved in a few months ago but tends to keep himself to himself. We met him the first day he moved in as he had to ask if he could live here.” Jane explained to Roma.

“What do you mean he had to ask you if he could live here? It’s not like you own all these houses.”Roma stated staring at her sister. 

“I think I need to explain what is going on here. You better sit down before I start.” Jane said motioning to the couch in the living room.