Not to be found

Chapter 1 - The day before

"Morning, darling," my mum greets me with a smile as I walk into the kitchen for our traditional Sunday morning breakfast.

"Morning," I smile as I take a seat on the bar stool waiting for my plate of food to be placed in front of me.

The smell dances around the kitchen, teasing both my nose and taste buds. As I watch my mum put the sausages, black pudding, scrambled egg, bacon, baked beans and hash browns onto my plate I can't help but check my mouth in case I'm drawling. She laughs as she places the plate in front of me, watching my face light up as I put the first forkful into my mouth.

"Coffee anyone?" my dad asks as he comes into the kitchen wearing his PJs and gown, he picks up the boiling hot kettle by the handle and begins to pour it into his own mug.

"Mmmm, yes please," I mumble with my mouth full of bacon.

He shakes his head at my bad table manners, but does it with a smile so it isn't too strict. Nether the less I grew up being taught every single manner under the sun. My parents are very traditional and love to have everything planned out. For example on every Sunday without fail, even if my mum is unwell for some reason she'll cook our roast dinner. If their traditions are not stuck to they aren't happy bunnies.

"What are you up to today then Lacey?" my mum questions me as she joins us sitting down with her plate, placing her napkin on her lap.

"Um, I think I'm going to Monica's. We're going to revise for our biology exam next week." I answer after finishing my mouthful of food, taking note of my dads previous response.

"That sounds nice," she replies and I smile back as I finish my breakfast and down my coffee in one hit.

After excusing myself from the table I climb the stairs to my room at the top of our manor house. I like it up here; it's light and airy, perfect for friends to come over, revision and just chilling out.

I go into the bathroom that is connected to my bedroom and have a shower, washing off last nights make up and the glitter out my hair. Lets just say when you invite all 32 members of your family around for a meal and you end up babysitting your cousins and then their kids you're going to end up with a little glitter in places where glitter shouldn't be.

I then get out of the shower and go back to my room where I go into my walk in wardrobe and put the blue dress back on its hanger and onto the rail after I was too tired and couldn't be bothered to last night.

Running around after 10 kids and making sure that they don't hurt themselves, keeping them entertained by playing hide and seek and also doing arty things with them is going to get you both messy and exhausted.

I pull my hair out of the black towel and brush it gently so that all the tangles fall out and it goes straight. I then blow dry it with the hair dryer and put it up into a messy bun, I go back into the wardrobe where I pull out a pair of black jeans, dark green t-shirt and black cardigan. I quickly get dressed and head back downstairs, not forgetting to pick my textbooks and pencil case as I go.

I find my black leather satchel and cram everything inside it. I begin to step out the front door when,

"Not saying goodbye then?" my mum asks as she stands behind me, hands on her hips catching me in the act.

"Sorry." I reply bluntly but hug her as I shout a goodbye over her shoulder to my dad who is still sitting in the kitchen.

I swear my house is like fort knox; I'm constantly watched over, my parents making sure that I don't leave their sight and put a foot wrong. I walk down the drive way, pulling my car keys out the pocket of my satchel. Come to think of it I'm surprised they even let me take a driving test.