Chapter 5

A couple of months in, James was so happy, Scarlett was adorable and life for the two had never been better. It was even better when James was told he was going on a low risk mission with his daughter, Kyle and Lauren, the only downside was that Kerry was going too.
Kyle was helping James load the baby gear into the car and James was making sure that Scarlett would be comfy on their six hour trip.
They walked into Zara and Ewarts cottage where they found Lauren already there
"Ready to go?" Ewart asked "we are just waiting on Kerry, now James I know that you two are not getting on but please realise that she is on this mission as a punishment for her rudeness to various members of staff, and will already be angry at having to take part." James nodded at this.
"What's with her makeup and clothes?" Lauren asked. "She looks like a tart"
"Zara reckons that she is jealous of the attention James is getting with Scarlett and so is trying to get attention to feel like she is popular" Ewart explained and then they all turned to see Kerry walking down the path towards the cottage. "Any hassle with her, let me know" Ewart said squeezing James's shoulder. James nodded and rocked Scarlett against his chest as he felt her stir.
"Let's go" Ewart said and they all piled into the people carrier.
Once they were all buckled in Ewart spoke up "so let's go over our cover stories"
"I am James Monroe" James said first "my girlfriend died in childbirth and I am not at school due to the commitments of being a full time single father" Kerry snorted at this but everyone ignored her.
"I'm Kyle Monroe, I am not at college as I do not like it, instead i help James and help my father around the house and will restart college next year when I am more certain in what I want to achieve"
"What!?" Kerry shrieked "why do neither of those two have to go to school and I do?"
"Because Kerry, being a father is hard work and emotionally draining, James needs some support, and Kyle is helping James catch up on his class work from cherub anyway"
Kerry huffed "I'm Kerry Monroe and I just go to school" she said snarkily.
"I'm Lauren Monroe and I like IT and want to get into a big computer company when I am older, I am going to befriend Tom and get him to offer me a place in his dad's firm after school on a voluntary basis."
"Brilliant!" Ewart said smiling
James ensured that Scarlett was sleeping soundly in the car seat and then put his iPod on listening to Kiss, Death is our Destiny and iron maiden.
It wasn't long before Scarlett woke up and James sighed, he was tired out as Scarlett woke him up a lot each night,
"I will sort her out James, get some rest!" Lauren said unbuckling Scarlett and cuddling her.
"Thanks" James said rubbing his eyes
James slept through the whole journey and found himself being shook awake by Kyle.
"Wakes wakey" Kyle cooed. "I'll help you put the cot up"
"Cheers" James replied as he gathered Scarlett up and carried her into the house.
The house was large. James and Kyle and Scarlett had the biggest room as James needed room for the cot , Lauren and Kerry had the same size room as Ewart and everyone soon started unpacking their stuff, Lauren entertained Scarlett whilst James and Kyle started to make up the cot.
"Dinner in ten" Ewart yelled from the kitchen
Five minutes later Scarlett was in her cot sucking her thumb and looking adorable and James had finished unpacking his clothes, and was heading down to the kitchen for dinner.
"What's for tea?" He asked Ewart who was setting the table
"Cheese and onion quiche with potato wedges" Ewart said as he dished the food up.
James tucked in "mmmm, I'm starving" he said
"So James" Ewart said "you and Kyle can have a day shopping tomorrow, I will give you a couple of hundred quid each, and then after that I want you to start on your a level course work"
"Sure thing" James said "I am a little stuck on parts, but I'm sure Kyle can help me through it"
"Yeah sure" Kyle said nodding
"Why does he get to go shopping?" Kerry snarled
"Because Kerry, as a single dad he needs to be able to wind down every so often, being a parent is very hard work, even more so when you are doing so on your own!" Ewart said in reply
Kerry just snarled and stormed off slamming the door behind her as she ran up to her room in anger, Scarlett immediately started crying and as James made to stand to comfort her, Ewart stopped him,
"No, you need to eat, I'll sort her, I'll talk to Kerry about her attitude later!" He said walking off
James sighed and continued eating wondering how Kerry was ever going to change her Bolshy attitude.