Chapter 9
"Are you doing anything tomorrow?" Bernie asked as they cuddled up together on the sofa.
"No, I don't work on the weekends. Someone else takes over."
"Let me take you out for the day then."
"Where did you have in mind?"
"Anywhere you want to go. Have a think about it and tell me when I come and pick you up."
"Ok." Serena yawned.
"I better go and let you get to bed." Bernie said as she let go of Serena.
"You don't have to go yet."
"You have been through a lot. And I don't want to rush you. I want to do this properly. I want to date you properly. I want to wine and dine you and make you feel special."
"But I'm not special."
"Enough of that. Believe me you are. I really, really, really like you." Bernie said as she kissed Serena between every word.
"I really like you too." Serena smiled as she squeezed Bernie's hand while she walked her to the door.
"So erm. What time do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?"
"Whenever you want. I will be up at sparrows cough anyway. I always am."
"Why?"
"I erm. I don't sleep very well. I always just have too many thoughts running through my head. Not very good ones at that."
"Well I'm going to change all that." Bernie smiled as she wrapped her arms around Serena and pulled so close. "I promise."
"Do you want me to drive you home?"
"No, it's fine. I'll be home in ten minutes."
"Ok."
"Try and sleep well." Bernie said as she kissed Serena softly.
"I'll try."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Serena watched as Bernie walked down the street and out of sight.
"Has Bernie gone?" Raymond asked as he came downstairs as Serena shut the door.
"Yeah. Did Man United win?"
"They did 2 nil. I'm going to make hot chocolate. Do you want one?"
"Yes please." Serena smiled as she followed her Dad into the kitchen.
"So are you and Bernie an item now?" Raymond asked.
"It's too early to say that yet. I really like her but she says things to me that I don't believe."
"Like what sweetheart?" Raymond said as he sat down beside Serena.
"She keeps telling me that I'm beautiful and gorgeous and sexy." Serena blushed. "But I'm not any of those things Dad."
"And who told you that? That bitch Shannon I bet?" Serena put her head down and looked away from her Dad. "Serena what has she done and said to you?"
"You don't need to know."
"I'm your Dad. I want to know. I know it's going to be bad because since you broke up your confidence has just gone." Her Dad said as he held Serena's hand.
"She did what?" How dare she say those things to you? Raymond said angrily as Serena told him everything.
"I'm sorry Dad." Serena cried.
"You've got nothing to be sorry for. You've done nothing wrong." Her Dad said with tears streaming down his own face as he hugged Serena tightly. "Shannon has no idea what she is talking about. She is a bully and a horrible person. You are a beautiful, caring young woman."
"Shannon, she also said that Mum probably left me because I was probably an ugly child too. Is that why Mum left me?"
"No it isn't. That bitch knows nothing. She is talking utter Bollocks. You need to listen to Bernie, she is talking sense. And she does seem like such a nice girl. And she comes from a nice family too."
"She wants to take me out tomorrow for the day."
"That's nice. Where are you going?"
"I don't know yet. She said that I should choose where we go. Dad."
"Yes, love."
"Why did Mum leave me?"
"I'm not talking about this, Serena."
"Why? I'm 27 years old. I am old enough to know the truth. I'm a big girl now."
"It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me, Dad. I want to know why she could leave her own baby."
"This conversation is closed Serena. I'm going to bed. Goodnight sweetheart. I love you."
"Love you too." Raymond kissed Serena on the cheek as he went upstairs.