Chapter 6: Secrets
Emma took the dogs out almost every night over the next week or so and every night she met Kane at the beach. However, she told no one, not even Allee, about her meetings with him. She knew that her friend didn't like him, although she couldn't quite see why, and besides the subject never really came up. She didn't tell her family either, because she knew that Lucy would make more out of it than there really was and that her mum, Benny and Jess would be worried and want to meet him. And besides, she liked having a little secret and she didn't see how keeping it quiet for a while was going to really hurt anyone, especially since her and Kane's relationship was completely innocent. Her family did question her as to why she was so anxious to take the dogs out in the evenings, but she just told them that she liked getting out on her own after a hard day with Jordan and they accepted that.
The more Emma saw of Kane, the more friendly they became. Although she took care never to get too close to him physically, Emma found herself beginning to trust him. They found it easy to talk to each other, they made each other laugh and they had several shared interests, including a love of animals and walking by the sea. She also discovered that he liked surfing and boats. As they grew closer, Emma told him about her brother going to prison, the bullying she had suffered at school and her father leaving. He listened and in return he told her of how he had grown up without any parents and how he didn't speak to his brother any more either. After they had been meeting for over a week, Emma finally plucked up the courage to mention her son.
"Do you ever hang around here during the day?" she asked as they were walking along the beach. Kane thought for a moment and then nodded.
"I see you around occasionally," he told her. "You and your sister and that little boy. Is he your brother?"
"My son," Emma said immediately. Kane looked surprised. "A mistake," she continued before he could say anything. "I have no contact with his father."
"Oh, right." Kane nodded again and fell silent. Emma was a little embarrassed, but pleased that it was out in the open. She was also pleased that he asked no further questions about it, for she did not really want to tell him about the rape. It wasn't something that she liked to talk about or even think about for that matter.
"It doesn't bother you, does it?" she asked as they paused at the corner where they always said goodbye. "About my son?"
"Why should it?" he said at once. "I was a bit surprised, but I'm your friend and I can't judge you for making mistakes. I've made plenty myself."
"Thanks," Emma smiled at him and he grinned back. "Sometimes people get a bit…funny about it and I don't want it to spoil our friendship. There are some nice people around here, but there aren't many who I can actually talk to."
"Well you have no problems there," Kane told her. "In fact, I'm pleased that you trusted me enough to talk to me about it." There was an embarrassing silence before he cleared his throat and turned away. "I'm out of town for the next two or three days," he continued after a moment. "Just a couple of things that I have to do. I'll see you when I get back."
"Okay," Emma agreed. "See you."
She watched him walk away until he was out of sight, before calling for the dogs and continuing her own walk home…
Next chapter: Trouble with Lucy.