BAILEY POV

Today I left him.

I’m driving away from the home that I have known for three years.

I don’t feel sad, scared or heartbroken.

I only feel relief that I’m getting away, disappointment that I didn’t do this sooner and I’m full of so much excitement that this is happening.

I’m driving towards my new life and there’s a feeling of satisfaction within my stomach. I know that I’m doing the right thing.

Two weeks ago, I came home to find my boyfriend of three years in bed with my best friend. Well, I say best friend, but it’s loosely applied. I’ve known her a little longer than my ex and because I’m such an introvert, I don’t really know anyone else to call a friend.

So there we go, I caught my then boyfriend in bed with a girl who I think of as a friend. I opened my front door to find them naked, fucking on my brand-new sofa.

I didn’t even yell, we all paused for a second as I gathered what was happening in front of me but then the two of them quickly jumped apart from one another and gathered their clothing. As they were getting dress, they were promising me that this was the first time. James was begging for my forgiveness and to not leave him and Lizzy was crying as she apologised.

I wasn’t interested in anything that they had to say and proceeded to climb the stairs to my bedroom and pack anything that belonged to me, or that I wanted to take with me. I wasn’t surprised that it all fit into one suitcase and was mainly clothing.

I don’t have a lot, if any sentimental belongings. I think it’s because I was orphaned at the age of six and was then put into numerous foster homes until I turned eighteen. The only thing I had of my childhood was my mother’s necklace. I used to keep it close in a little brown box but since I turned fifteen, I wore it around my neck. It is a little weird and I’ve always wondered what it means. It’s two wolves, both wooden but very delicate. One is larger than the other which makes me think their male and female, representing my parents and they both have a sparkling clear stone placed in the middle.

I’ve never seen anything else like it, so I’ve never been able to work out what they mean. It’s one of the many things I wish I could talk to them about, but it’s the harsh reality of being an orphan at such a young age.

The only woman I have been close to was my social worker, but she passed away four years ago. She was able to tell me that my mother was a Vet and for some reason that had a huge hold on me and as soon as I turned seventeen, I began my journey on completing my veterinary degree program. It took my five years and working my ass off also holding down a part time job to support myself but here I am, a twenty-six-year-old woman driving towards my new life.

I often thought did I become a vet because my mother was and is it my way to try to understand the parent I will never know, but I’ve never regretted my decision. I loved every minute of vet school and even more so now that I am fully qualified.

Since discovering that Lizzy and James were a lot closer than I thought, I stayed in a hotel and ignored every single one of their calls. Sure, they turned up to my job and made an awkward work environment, but I focussed on my work and trying to find a new veterinarian position. I applied anywhere in the country, deciding to let the job settle the location of my new home. That place happened to be Northumberland as I was interviewed and hired within a week!

My new boss sounds amazingly friendly and she’s helped me with everything. Even helping me secure a new house and furniture. She has made this move so easy and seems as excited to have me join her small local clinic as I am.

She emailed over the photos of my new home, and I fell in love as soon as I saw them. It’s a small, cosy two-bedroom house and is surrounded by beautiful woodland. It’s picture perfect and it seems I have struck gold for my new start in Northumberland.

I smile the whole drive there.

I’m meeting my new boss, Rosa at the clinic. She will quickly show me around before taking me to my new home. Every time I think about it I get so excited. My skin gets all goosebumpy and butterflies settle in my stomach.

I stop off at a little café to visit the little girls room and have a much needed hot coffee. I take a seat at a little table and look out the window. All I can see is green stretching out to the distance. It’s so beautiful here. I’m glad that I have at least one pair of good boots because walking anywhere around here, I will need them.

As the rain hits the windows and I’m heated inside the coffee shop, I feel as though I’m in a movie, or one of books as the female character is about to have this whole new life. This is where the story starts and I feel as though my life is about to be the same.

I have no choice now.

Before I jump back into my car and make the twenty minute drive to Rosa’s clinic, I decide to call her. It only rings three times before she picks up, her cheery voice making me smile.