A journey always begins at the start, and that's no different here. I'm at the start line, now all I need to do is open my mouth and begin talking, telling my story.

"I...I...star..."That's all that comes out before my chest goes tighter, my heart racing, I can't get a proper breath in, I'm trying, my lungs are being constricted. I can't lie, but I can't tell her, I'm trapped and can't get out

"Bella, deep breaths, slow your breathing." she puts her hand on mine. That's when I realise I'm trembling, and whilst it feels impossible to breathe,  I'm hyperventilating. How is that even possible?

"I need to know what's going on, Is it something that happened?" I nod my head."Was it at school?" I shake my head. "Do you feel safe to go home?" I start to nod, then change to a shake. I did it, I told someone."Is somebody at home harming you?" Again, I nod. "I'm just going to email the office to let them know you're here, so they don't search for you, then you can tell me whatever you need to." I nod. It's half an hour untill final bell, home time. Oh no, I'm going to be in trouble for telling someone.

I start telling her about what Terry, my mums fiancé does. I tell her no one can know. If they do, it will only get worse for me. "I dont even know why I told you there's nothing you can even do. I shouldn't have told you. I promised not to, please don't tell anyone, no one can know"

"Bella, you're so brave for telling me this. Now I know we can help you. You don't need to worry about it getting worse. It's going to stop now. You don't need to worry anymore. This isn't going to be easy, but there's some people in the office you're going to need to talk to so they can make you safe. I can stay with you for it."

How can they make it stop? I don't get it. But this is the best thing I've heard. But how is this going to happen, is mum going to be mad I've ruined her relationship? I can't stand the idea of me causing that to happen. She's been the happiest she's ever been, Terry brings her so much joy. I can't ruin that for her. What if I say I was lying, I was just testing how they reacted? Like just in case anyone was ever in that situation.

Walking through the school feels strange. It's empty. The bell went half an hour ago. Mums going to be mad, I missed my bus home. We get to the office, there 2 ladies in there I've not seen before. Miss Harding tells me to sit in the office as the ladies come out, they close the door,  I can hear talking but can't hear what they are saying.

They all come back in after a few minutes. "Hi Isabelle,  I'm Heather and I'm a Child Protection Officer, and this is Caren, a social worker, we want to find out what's been happening so we can help you to stay safe.