Emma's Six- The Final Year

Summer Holidays

I thought things couldn't get worse.

My decision to not study for my GCSEs sparked off World War Three. And I wish I was joking when I wrote that.

Catalina, Anne, and Kitty come round in the morning so we can go into town, only to find Luke shut up in his room and Mum and Mummy screaming at each other. 'Why did you stand with her?' Mummy screams.
'All of history is far more important than some silly exams Emma's going to forget about by the time she returns!'
'The GCSEs she receives now will affect her future.'
'Her future relies on her getting history correct, or we're all doomed!'

'Do we want to know?' Catalina asks as we escape from the house, with Harry and James following.
'Not really, no,' I say.
'Emma's decided that not studying for her GCSEs is the best option for her,' Harry says, 'I think she said something about keeping history intact.'
'That's the gist of it,' Jane nods, 'and that sparked off World War Three in the casa del caos.'
'House of chaos?' I guess, and Jane nods.
'I have never seen Ruby and Sarah Jane argue like that before,' Kitty says. 'I hope their arguing doesn't get worse.'
'If it does, we'll move in with you guys,' Anne jokes.
'We're already out of space,' Catalina doesn't get that Anne's joking, 'and I don't know if mama will agree.'
'Shouldn't your father also have a say?' Anna asks. 'But come to think of it, I haven't seen him recently.'
'Is this a missing person case?' Kitty asks.
'I hope it's that and not an alien kidnapping,' Catalina nods, 'I hope he's alright.'

We turn right at Old Forest Road and start walking into town. Up ahead, red and blue lights flash, and we see a police car nearby. 'Are we sure we want to go into town?' Anne asks. 'If there's a problem-'
'If there's a problem, that's the best place for us to be,' Kitty says, 'we could help.'
'Is that the best of ideas? Surely we should try and keep low-'
'And I thought you were the chaotic cousin.' Kitty nudges Anne, who pushes back.

As we walk, I notice a policewoman still in the car. Maybe she's waiting for a colleague, but if so, where are they? Catalina stops walking; the policeman is ahead, talking to someone. 'I wonder what that's about,' she mumbles.
The policeman finishes asking his questions and walks over to us. 'Good morning.'
'Good morning, officer,' I say. 'Is there anything we can help with?'
'Have any of you seen this person recently?'

Catalina stares at the photograph. It is not one I recognise, but I know when it was taken. It was in April. My older self decided it was a clever idea to sail in April. Let's just say that things didn't go to plan, and she almost jumped off the ship while it was over the wreck of the Titanic.

'He's my father,' Catalina says, pulling me back into the conversation, 'and I haven't seen him for a couple of days.'
'Can you think of any reason why your father would leave?'
'I already gave my statement to the police, as have my fellow housemates. My friends know nothing about it.'
'What happened?' Jane asks.
'I don't know. Father seemed slightly off when I talked to him; it seemed like he was thinking of something.'
'Did he say anything about it?'
'No, but Emma, I think it has something to do with your older self.'
'What?' I ask. 'How?'
'Older self?' The police officer splutters. 'How is that possible?'
'I will be a time traveller,' I turn to Catalina, 'what did your father say to make you suspect that?'
'As he was walking away, he was mumbling about how stupid Cunard is.'
'Cunard?' James asks. 'Why is Emma with them?'
'We need to give Harry and James history lessons.' Jane moans and glances over at me. 'Do you think you can sort that, Emma?'
'I believe so,' I can hear the doubt in my voice, 'but I will be looking before 1900 for the most part as that is the period of history I know the least about.'
'Older self? Time traveller?' The policeman seems dazed. 'I never thought....'
'Most people would never think that way. But I will do my best. I'll have a lot to focus on.'
'Including your GCSEs,' Catalina mumbles.
'What?'
'What?'
'Forget I said anything.'
'Okay.'
As we talk, the policeman walks back to the car, looking confused, the poor fellow. I don't doubt that he'll tell his colleague what happened.