Serena's Secret (Primrose Valley Series Book #1)

Copyright ***   All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.   Copyright © 2018 by Rebecca Andrew Cover Art by Rebecca Andrew Cover Photo: ID 138286174 © Mpntdz | Dreamstime.com   This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.   ***      Standing at the door of the bus, Serena was busy counting the heads of the students from her class at Primrose Academy, as they noisily clambered on and fussed over seating. She was an English teacher there and had only been at the school for eighteen months, but she loved every moment she spent there. The enjoyment she got from nurturing these young minds was one she didn't think she would ever find in her life.     The school itself was a beautiful building. It had recently been modified from the outside and was well equipped with the most up-to-date, eco-friendly technology. With a clean-cut look and soft yellow brick walls, it had a very welcoming feel.     The main reception was at the end of the building with the car park and the school logo was on display by the entrance doors. The grounds were surrounded by high fencing for security.     The first floor held the kitchen and cafeteria; there was a set of double doors leading from the cafeteria out onto the courtyard. It had a rooftop garden and vegetable plot that looked down on the courtyard.     Flower beds and bushes were planted in the middle, trees and picnic benches were scattered around the large space. The rest of the building was full of the various classrooms typical for a school.     The gates were currently open for the school bus for her class. They were due to set off on a trip to the local Fire House; it had been months in planning as a part of career week. One of the main reasons for her arranging this visit was some of her students during their career discussions had mentioned to her their desires to become firefighters.     The students were all part of her form class and in their early teens, from thirteen to fourteen years and they were all still learning who they were and what they wanted to be. As their teacher, she believed part of her role was to push and encourage their dreams. She made sure every one of her students worked hard for what they wanted and in turn believed in themselves.     Her dreams at their age were simple, and some would say boring. However, boring they were they had been hers and hers alone.      Back then she dreamed of falling in love and starting her own family. She yearned to have a connection with a man whom she knew without a shadow of a doubt she could rely on. Someone who would support her and know her better than she knew herself. Like her mum found in her dad.     To be respected, nurtured, protected. That’s what she had wanted.     Those dreams were tarnished with memories she kept locked away deep in her mind. She experienced things that had caused scars she saw no way of ever being rid of. Scars she believed would never be fully healed. So, the desire to teach became her new focus. She wanted to teach young adults right from wrong. Guide their minds, enforce their dreams. Protect and educate them about the darkness and difficulties life could bring.     She didn't discuss her past with her class. However, she made sure they knew her door was open if they ever needed to talk; whether it was related to school, homework or something more personal. She had vowed to always be there for her kids.     Deep down, she still longed for her first dream to become a reality. But when one didn't trust herself - let alone a man. Would that ever be possible?     The only man she had ever trusted since was her father. She missed him so much, but when he had retired a few years ago, he emigrated to Tenerife with her mother.     Both her parents were so loving and kind. They knew what had happened to her when she was younger, and they both supported her through it all. They found out completely by accident. She never intended for them to know.      Never. Ever.      Or maybe she had?      Maybe what she did was a cry for help?     Subconsciously, she rubbed her wrist, feeling the scar of raised skin where she had attempted to end it all. Her world had been falling apart and at the age of fifteen, she was unable to see an escape.     It only happened that once though. Her mother had walked in seconds after she cut deep into her skin. The look on her mother’s face as she realised what Serena had done would haunt her forever and she never wanted to put that look there ever again. They had both supported her as she recovered but her father was angry for a very long time. He had been furious and devastated at the same time. He told her once that he had failed by not protecting her.     Serena didn't blame him at all. She blamed herself. It was her fault.     Words that he repeatedly said to her filled her mind.     You are dirty.      You are worthless.      Why would anyone want you?     Why would anyone want someone who was this damaged?     No! No! No! No way! She forced herself to halt that train of thoughts.     Sometimes those old insecurities would raise their heads like sleeping dragons, ready to breathe fire in her mind and torture her soul. They would flit around in her mind and she would lose herself for a short time.     It was NOT her fault.      Her years of therapy had drilled that into her.      She was innocent.      She knew this.      Right?     A loud laugh from inside the bus startled her and she hurried to tick off the last few names on the bus. She frowned as she realised one name was missing.     "Has anyone seen Chloe?" she called out to those on the bus.     There were a lot of shrugs and murmurs from the kids and she sighed.     "I think I saw her heading towards the bathroom Rena." A voice said to her left. She looked towards her teaching assistant and best friend Tina.     Tina was from Portree in Scotland but had moved to Serena’s hometown the summer before college. That was when they had met.      On their first day of college, whilst looking for their first classes they bumped into one another. It turned out they were heading in the same direction. And had been best friends ever since it was like they were stuck together. They would meet before classes; sit together during lectures, even studied in the library at the same time. They went to all the parties and clubs together and then eventually ended up in the same University to study teaching.     When she decided to move to Primrose Valley, Tina insisted on coming with her. It didn’t take long for them both to settle into the small valley and make friends with some of the locals.      Tina was stunning. Her fiery red hair matched her personality. It was short and choppy and suited her face shape. The emerald, green eyes stood out against her pale skin, freckled skin. Only coming up to four-foot-eight, she was quite short but didn’t’ let that stop her.     Catching her reflection in the side mirror and sighed. Her hair was long and brown and currently up in a braid, a few loose strands framed her face. She had hazel colour eyes and her skin was fair. She was five-foot-four and she wasn't skinny. She had curves and she liked them. Sure, she had considered dieting to get her tummy a little flatter than it was, but she was never good at that and she enjoyed her food too much.     "Right, I'll go and check where she is. We need to leave soon." Serena walked away from the bus and towards the building.      Passing through the gates, she spotted the caretaker Joe, all the kids called him Jolly Joe. He was in his mid-sixties, but he didn't act like it. He reminded her of a slim Santa Claus; the wispy, slightly balding greyish white hair on top and matching greyish white beard. His eyes were a lovely amber colour, and he always had a smile on his face.     When Serena first got the job, he was so welcoming and helped her find her way around if she ever got lost. He was wearing his typical blue overalls and was busy sweeping the path of stray leaves that were falling from the surrounding hedge.     "Good Morning Joe." She smiled warmly at him.     "Good Morning Petal. It's a lovely day." He stopped his sweeping and stepped back for her to pass.     "It is. I'm glad the weather is this good for the trip."     "Make sure those kids behave for you and Miss Malone. You are both my special ladies." He grinned with a little twinkle in his eye.     "Oh Joe, you can't go around saying things like that, Mrs. Piers will be getting jealous," Serena warned with a little chuckle.     "Don't you worry; she knows she is my pumpkin pie."     "Aww, I wish they made more men like you nowadays Joe," she sighed and then added. "You haven't seen Miss Richards, have you?"     "Miss Richards? Chloe Richards? Hmmm now, let me see..." He leaned on his sweeping brush and thought carefully. "Ahh yes now I remember, she was by the canteen when I came out to sweep."     "Thank you." She waved and rounded the corner. Her eyes scanned the courtyard and she caught sight of Chloe just outside the canteen doors, exactly where Joe had said she was.     Normally this young thirteen-year-old was full of life, friendly and always smiling. She was never alone and always chatty. However, the young girl in front of her was not the same girl she knew from class.     She studied her carefully for a few moments. Chloe looked like the whole world rested on her shoulders. She was alone, huddled by the far wall and very quiet. She was pale, had dark circles beneath her eyes and her cheeks were gaunt. Her whole aura was just - wrong.     Slowly Serena approached, "Are you ready Miss Richards?"     Serena didn't miss the way Chloe jumped and flinched at her voice. But as quick as the surprise was on her face, it disappeared and was replaced with a beaming smile that didn't quite touch her eyes.     "Oh! Yes, I'm more than ready to see these firemen." She waggled her eyebrows and breezed past towards the bus.     She was sure something was going on with Chloe. She could feel it in her bones. But she also knew pushing would do no good. She kept quiet but made a mental note to keep an eye on her on the trip.     "Firefighters, not firemen. Chloe, this trip is about finding out if this is a career for you. There are women firefighters also, not just men," Serena laughed and then smiled at her warmly. "Come on. Your friends are waiting."     Serena waved to Joe as they passed and ushered Chloe forward and onto the bus, she climbed on and stood beside her seat at the front.      "Okay settle down you lot." After a few moments, she continued. "Today will be a good experience for you all. You will get to speak to real firefighters and find out what this job truly entails." She looked at three of her boys in the middle of the bus. "Chris, Luke, and Jim; you have all expressed your desire to go down this avenue. If you are truly interested, these men and women will know what you need to do and may be able to help. Make sure you pay attention."     After going through basic ground rules for on the bus as well as at the station - no swearing, no phones, no fighting and so on - she settled down in her seat for the short journey to the fire station.