Thomas O'Sullivan & Edith Montgomery

Worried

We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's until the very last day of November. The rest of the family had gone, just mum, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Daniel, Edie and I.

Edith, despite what happened earlier, seemed even more upset. She had lost weight in a very short amount of time, and was permanently sad.

Grandma had warmed up to her, but Grandpa still ignored her.

Edith was pacing back and forth in the library, hand on back.

"How much school have I missed?" She questioned, her dark-rimmed eyes staring right at me.

"Erm... a bit."

"Oh God." She sighed.

I was panicking because she was due on the first of December, tomorrow! And she was only worried about school.

"Edith. Please sit." I begged.

"I won't break. I can walk if I want." She retorted. She had become snappy lately too.

"Thomas, there you are. You left your phone in the dining room, Bill's been calling." Mum came in.

"Thanks." I mumbled, and scrolled through my messages."

"Edith, sweetheart, what would you like for lunch?" Mum asked. They chatted quietly while I texted Bill.

I read the messages:

'Mate, need to talk.' 'Thomas, answer.' 'Mate?' 'U there?' 'T, E has been outed' 'T? you getting this?'

I swore out loud.

Mum frowned. "Thomas." She warned.

"Sorry."

"What's the matter?" Edith enquired.

"N...nothing." I backed away and fled. I called Bill, hands shaking.

It took only half a ring for him to answer.

"Mate? You get my texts?" He asked.

"Yeah. You serious?" I questioned.

"Yup. Shannon. Don't know how, but she found out, now the whole school knows." He told me.

"Great." I pulled my black hood over my head.

"Everyone's talking about it. If I were you I would move, mate. It's not a good reputation you have right now."

"Damn." I muttered.

"Can I come over?" He asked

"I'm with my Grandparents."

"Cool. Be there in a couple of hours." And he hung up.

I rolled my eyes and half laughed. Bill, he was unstoppable. And now he was eighteen and driving, nothing could get in his way. I went back into the library. Edie was now sitting down in an armchair, looking exhausted and uncomfortable.

"Everything alright?" She asked quietly. I forced a smile.

"Yes. Fine. Bills coming over." I told her. Mum raised an eyebrow.

"He didn't happen to invite himself, did he?"

"Meh." I shrugged.

Edith stood up again and removed the hood from my head, then kissed my cheek. She took my hand and brought me over to sit down next to her.

"Lucy? May we stay until tomorrow?" She asked.

Mum and I stared at her with equal alarm.

"But... sweetheart...what if... you know... what if she comes?" Mum stammered.