The Wrong Identity

Packing

"but were not allowed in there mummy will get mad at us" she said tears threatening to fall as her voice becomes high with emotion.

"its okay mummys not here right now and we are stayed at claire's house for a while" i say pointing to Claire who is watching the situation unfold. I felt bad that i hadn't spoken to Paige about any of this yet, although she was there when Emma told us about our living arrangments i doubt she was listening or understood what that meant. 

Paige hesitantly wipes her eyes and nods and begins walking slowly towards our room "do you want me to help her?" Claire asks concerned the little girl may not pack enough.

" yeah that would be great thanks" i say quietly heading to the kitchen to grab the storage room key. I go inside using my phone as a torch and grab the small box that i had found the night before which caused this situation in the first place.

I make my way back to the bedroom not bothering to lock the storage room back up and put the box in my school bag along with my two outfits that i own and my two sets of pajamas.

"I think that's everything we need" i say scratching my neck and looking around the room making sure i hadn't forgotten anything. 

"can i bring the photo you gave me today?" Paige asked innocently unaware of the situation we were in. 

"yeah sure" i said taking her hand, Claire walks in front of us leading us out of our home, I notice her glance into the living room where empty bottles of beer and Vodka are stacked up next to the wall like accomplishments that are worth showing off making me cringe in humiliation.

We got back into Claire's car and began the journey back to her house. Paige was playing with her brown bunny that I had bought her when I found a £10 note on the street one day. I still remember how her face lit up with excitement at the toy. Since then she wouldn't sleep without it. 

"Aofie do you think mummy is with Jamie?" Paige asks me a few minutes after getting bored of playing with her bunny. My body tenses at the question, I knew Claire was listening and I didn't like the idea of Claire knowing people in our life. 

"maybe, I don't know.." I trailed off telling Paige the truth. 

"who's Jamie?" Claire asks her voice laced with curiosity about the man. I watched her glance into the rear view mirror to look at us both and then back at the road. 

"Our mums boyfriend" I responded in a short answer, I knew it would look bad if i didn't answer and I didn't need Claire suspecting anything. 

"I don't like him" Paige announces confidently, not realising the impact of her words and that they would lead to more questions. I sigh wishing she would just go back to playing with her bunny. 

"why not?" Claire asks I see her eyebrows scrunch up slightly. 

"he's just not interested in playing Paige's games" i quickly reply before Paige could. I let out a nervous airy laugh trying to lighten the mood slightly. 

"that's not why! its because he's mean!" Paige says sitting up in her seat and looking at me as if i had forgotten why. My frustration grows with my little sister due to her sharing details id rather not share.

"Paige enough please, play with your bunny" i respond my voice slightly raised at the idea of her saying too much. She looks at me hestintantly before she looks down at her bunny, she doesn't continue playing but shes quiet at my request making me feel bad for scolding her. 

The rest of the car journey was slightly uncomfortable but i didn't care too much i just tried to distract myself by thinking of what was going to happen.