Chapter 231

Cassie

Standing my the school gates I fought back the urge to cry. I knew I couldn't do that with so many people watching and what if the boys looked back and saw my tears. They wouldn't understand them and I didn't want to spoil their excitement in starting school.

Niall looked over his shoulder almost like he sensed my sadness and I forced myself to give him a wide smile and a small wave of my hand.

I wanted them to have a normal life and going to a normal school was part of that.

"First time away from them?"

Yelling I almost jumped out of my skin as a young woman spoke from by my side.

"Sorry." My hand fluttered to my throat. "I don't understand-"

She motioned to the now closed school door. All those lines of children now safely inside.

"The tears." Her lips curved up in a smile. "I remember the first time I dropped my daughter off and had to leave. How hard it was to go home without her." Turning to me, she thrust out a hand. "I am Gina and you are Cassie right?"

I did a double take. How did she know that? Catching my look she smiled but it was a little forced. Not waiting for me to say anything she looped her arm through mine and began wandering towards the school gates.

Completely confused I walked along with her, after all what other choice did I have and anyway I had to go that way anyway.

Out on the street Ian would be waiting, so if this was a kidnap attempt it was a pretty lousy one.

"It does get easier." She continued to talk like we were old friends.

"I'm sorry I'm just a little -" wildly I looked around. The playground was still full of mums and dads, of childminders and just normal people going about their day and dropping their children off.

"Is your partner waiting outside?" She asked like I hadn't spoken at all. I threw her a look. Gina's smile didn't falter for a second.

"I saw you arrive with him and the children. He is very handsome. Have you been with him long."

"I've known him for years." I answered and it wasn't quite a lie. I had known Ian for years , we just weren't together. Not that anyone here could ever know that. Even the boys had been told that they couldn't say anything about our true situation. It was an awful thing to ask of them but I knew they understood. They were smart boys after all.

"You make a beautiful couple. Not as beautiful as you and your husband make of course but still stunning."

I froze and my arm dropped from the crook of her arm.

Half turning her smile slipped.

"I don't know what you mean." I muttered.

Coming back to stand in front of me she studied my face. "Of course you don't queen Cassie and don't worry your secrets are safe with me but I do have a message for you. I just wanted to tell you it away from your guard dog."

Without meaning to I glanced towards the school gates, I could see Ian's car. He was looking at me but he hadn't moved yet.

Dragging my eyes away from him I turned towards Gina. "I don't think you have a message for me at all. You have me mixed up with someone else. I'm definitely not a queen." I forced out a laugh.

"Cutting and dying your hair was a cool move Cassie but we have a friend in common. Forrest-"

I did a double take. "You know Forrest?" I whispered before I could stop myself and instantly kicked myself because I had just admitted everything.

"For many many years. And he wants me to pass on a message from your husband." Her eyes widened. "The king."

I didn't ask her what it was, I just waited. Staring at her like she was staring at me. We stayed silent for so long that it became even more uncomfortable.

"What is the message?" I broke the silence.

"You're husband knows the truth."

Her words hit me in a rush but honestly I didn't understand him. Was she saying Julian knew the truth or the lie that we needed him to believe was the truth?

"And he loves and misses you."

I swallowed hard. He didn't believe the lie then and I didn't know how I felt about that. To be free I needed him to believe I'd been carrying on with Ian for years and years.

"Ok." I shrugged.

"Do you have a message back?" She eyed me coolly.

"I'm completely confused on who all these people are." I lied and this time it came out smoothly. My voice didn't catch in my throat. "I'm flattered you think I look like a queen though." I added for good measure,

She looked at me for a second and then laughed. "Of course and like I said your secret is safe with me but I do have one more message. This one from Forrest himself."

"Ok."

"He said to remind you of the similarities between this life and the other one. That you might find the answers if you go back through your dreams?" This time when she looked at me her face was puzzled. "Does that make sense?"

Yes, it made sense. My two separate lives seemed to be running along the same path. Some little differences but not too many. All the main players were still here.

I frowned.

The main players.

"I have absolutely no idea." I shook my head. "Thanks for the weird messages Gina, I have to go my husband is waiting for me."

She stared at me for a second and then nodded. "Yes he is."

I knew she was talking about Julian but it wasn't the king who was waiting for me.

Ian lifted his head when I got into the car. His face concerned. "Everything ok?"

"Yes and no. But we will have to wait until we are home to talk about it."