I’d been COMPLETELY DESERTED for the second day in a row. Even MY OWN MOTHER had left me. And Grandma was still nowhere to be seen. I hoped she wouldn’t be too angry about my detention when she finally got home.
I walked back to the estate alone and was just about to go inside when I saw Dad making his way along the balcony to his flat on the floor below. I wondered what he was doing home so early and whether he’d had a chance to speak to Grandma yet.
‘Dad! Dad!’ I shouted. ‘Did you speak to Grandma?’
He looked up, squinting into the darkness, before he registered me standing under the dull glow of the strip lights outside our front door. I ran downstairs to meet him. He was still looking as smart as ever, even his shoes were gleaming.
‘Did you find out where Mum is?’
I didn’t bother waiting for a reply before continuing.
‘I found a note, on the fridge, under a magnet of Lanzarote,’ I continued. ‘Perhaps it’s a clue? Perhaps she’s gone on holiday and forgot to tell anyone. I’ve checked and she hasn’t taken her passport so she can’t have left the UK. Perhaps she’ll be back before Christmas? What if she’s missing? Do missing people leave notes?’
I was beginning to feel a bit desperate now.
‘Mr Rogers said she’s left, but I don’t believe him. I’m sure there’s just been a misunderstanding. Maybe Rose does know where she is. She spoke to Grandma last night. If you don’t know, perhaps she’ll tell me.’
‘Calm down, Jake,’ Dad replied. ‘That’s why I’m back so early. I left work as soon as I could. To talk to your grandma and find out exactly what’s going on. Don’t worry, I’m sure there’s a simple explanation and everything will be absolutely fine.’
I knew that Dad was just trying to REASSURE ME by PRETENDING that everything was OK.
‘We’ll sort this out, don’t worry,’ Dad continued. ‘Now you go inside and wait for me there. I’ll be round in a minute.’
Dad started walking towards his flat, so I had no choice but to make my way upstairs to await my fate. I let myself into the empty flat for the second day in a row and sat twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Grandma to appear.
I hadn’t been waiting for long when I heard the sound of another key in the lock and the unmistakeable sound of Grandma shuffling in the hall. I was about to go out and demand an explanation from her when I realised she wasn’t alone.
I could now hear TWO SETS of footsteps in the hallway, Grandma’s QUIET SHUFFLE and the HEAVIER THUD of a man’s tread following close behind. WHAT IF THERE WAS A MURDERER AFTER ALL? He’d TAKEN MUM and now he was back for GRANDMA.
I looked around the living room for a weapon, but my trusty umbrella was still in the kitchen where I’d left it the morning before. Unarmed, I crept closer to the door and stood with my ear pressed against it struggling to hear.
‘I think you need to tell him where she is, don’t you?’
I let out a HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF. Of course, it was Dad’s voice I could hear out in the hallway. My imagination had really got the better of me this time. Although they didn’t really get on, I doubted Dad would have MURDERED MUM. It would have been FAR TOO MESSY to clean up.
‘He’ll remember in his own time,’ I heard Grandma reply. ‘He just needs some time to adjust, that’s all. I don’t think pushing him is the answer. It’ll only upset him further and then what?’
Who were they talking about now? Who was upset?
‘Well, I think he has the right to know she’s been locked up again. He’s been asking all sorts of questions. Jumping to all sorts of conclusions.’
Were they talking about me?
‘So you’re saying he’s delusional?’
Was I delusional?
‘Of course that’s not what I mean.’
I didn’t think so.
‘I think you should go now. I’ll speak to Jake. You’ll see him on Thursday as usual.’
There was a LARGE PAUSE as Dad took a GREAT DEEP BREATH and then probably decided there was NO POINT trying to argue with Grandma any further.
‘I’ll go, but I need you to speak to him, OK? This isn’t fair on any of us, and especially not him.’
Grandma didn’t reply and I heard the sound of the latch lifting as Dad made his way onto the walkway outside. What did Dad mean that Mum had been LOCKED UP? What if she was ACTUALLY IN PRISON? What had she done? Would they ever let her out again?