Chapter 4: Going to School

Mr Shawn came out of his room wearing a black tuxedo and holding a briefcase. He was on a call which ended upon entering the kitchen.

"Good morning Mr Shawn," greeted Nora.

"Good morning" replied Mr Shawn.

"Daddy, daddy" Lily called in her small voice running into Mr Shawn's arms.

He dropped his briefcase and carried her in his arms. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he tickled her. Lily laughed and wrapped her arms around Mr Shawn's neck.

"Stop tickling baby Lily," said Lily in a small adorable voice.

Nora smiled and said "Sir, Lily is 5 years now and I think it would be good for her to start school now. She is very smart and will learn more in school."

"Do you have some schools in mind?" asked Mr Shawn.

"Nora was surprised by his question. Most parents prefer choosing schools for their children, why is Lily's situation different"

Snap! Snap! came Mr Shawn's figures and Nora snapped back to reality.

"I would do a quick search and share what I find with you," said Nora.

"No need, get a school for her and let me know what she needs."

Mr Shawn smiled at Lily "You will be going to school, yeah."

He planted kisses on both cheeks, tickled her and put her down.

"Daddy is going to work. I will be back soon, be good to Aunty Nora and Aunty Abigail."

With this, he left. Nora heard the car engine and the car driving out of the compound. Lily went to hug Nora. 

Abigail came downstairs for breakfast. She sat at the table with Lily who kept asking her one question after the other. Abigail couldn't take it anymore and said to Nora.

"Find me a school that is two hours drive away from this house and a driver."

Nora was surprised by this request but before she could say anything, Abigail shouted, "Now!"

She quickly left for her room and grabbed her phone and started a search for schools. Lily saw the angry look on Abigail's face and asked "Did Aunty Nora do anything bad"

"Go to your room," said Abigail,

"Now" she yelled.

Lily jumped in fright and ran with tears in her eyes to her room. Nora met Lily entering her room and followed her. She found her in the corner of her room, on the floor hugging her knees. Nora felt pain in her heart for the little child.

This is not the first time Abigail has yelled at her for no reason. She went to her and carried her in her arms.

"Does Aunty Abigail hate me?" Lily said sobbing.

Nora calmed her down.

"No, Aunty Abigail is just having a bad day. You see Aunty Abigail had a nightmare last night and so she is not feeling okay" Nora said trying to cheer Lily up.

Lily asked "If I give Aunty Abigail chocolate will that make her feel better"

"Yes, it will (Nora hoped) but now Aunty Abigail needs some space. Just let her be for now, okay" Nora said.

Lily nodded and stopped crying. "Can I go say sorry to Aunty Abigail?" asked Lily.

Nora was not sure how Abigail would react to Lily and didn't want Lily feeling sad again, said

"Yes, you can but wait till daddy is home then you can say sorry to Aunty Abigail in front of daddy" Lily nodded and smiled. "Now let's go take a shower." 

Later that afternoon, Lily was watching cartoons in her room and Nora was with Abigail downstairs

"You found the school"

" Yes, Ma'am" replied Nora. It's a two- and half-hour drive from here. I was able to arrange for a driver to pick Lily up and drop her at school and bring her home when she closes."

"Good, how soon can she start" asked Abigail

"I am not sure," said Nora, "I have not called the school yet"

"Stupid, call the school now and tell them I want her to start school tomorrow" she yelled.

Nora quickly grabbed the house phone and, picking up the school's contact from her search, placed the call to the school. She was on the call for fifteen minutes and finally turned to give Abigail the feedback. "They are on vacation ma'am. School reopens in two weeks."

Abigail furrows her brow. "Fine. I will put up with her for two more weeks. Get out of my sight"

Nora left for the kitchen. All this while they were both unaware of little Lily watching and listening to them from the space in between the wooden rail upstairs. She went back to her room and felt she needed to apologize to Aunt Abigail. 

Later that evening. Nora was preparing supper when she heard Mr Shawn's car driving in. A few minutes later, the front down opened and Mr Shawn walked in. He changed his shoes and went straight to his room after greeting Nora.

Abigail came down to the dining room and Lily ran past her into her dad's room. Ten minutes later, Mr Shawn came out carrying Lily in his arms. Pulling one of the seats she placed Lily on it and sat on the seat next to her. Abigail looked at the father and daughter and quickly looked away with no expression.

Nora served the dishes and Lily turned to face Abigail,

"Aunty Abigail, baby Lily is sorry for making you angry this morning. Baby promise to be good and not upset Aunty Abigail again."  She got down and went to hug her.  "Baby will protect you from the nightmare too"

Abigail was taken aback by Lily's words, Nora looked stupefied and Mr Shawn was confused about what was going on. Abigail quickly remembered the child's reaction to her yelling at her in the morning. She smiled awkwardly and spoke.

"Aunty is fine," she said in a calm voice 

Mr Shawn looked at Abigail angrily but quickly smiled when Lily turned to look at him. Supper was very quiet. Nora took Lily to her room and Mr Shawn pulled Abigail to his room. Upon closing the door. Abigail wanted to kiss him but he pushed her away.

"We talked about this. Don't be mean to her. She is my daughter"

Abigail threw him a side glance and said "Fine, I won't be mean to her. Just give me less time with her" "Okay" They both ended up on the bed. 

Mr Shawn left for work as usual. Abigail is still in her room. Nora got Lily ready for school. A car honked outside and Nora came downstairs with Lily.

"This is sad, her first day at school and she had to go alone with a driver" Thought Nora.

"Aunty Nora, will you come with me to school, please," Lily asked with a sad look.

Nora's heart was broken by the sad small voice and the look on Lily's face. She called Mr Shawn and asked for permission, which he granted. Nora sat in the car with Lily and drove off, for two and a half hours, to Lily's school......