Time Elapsed

Chapter 1

The crimson sun beat down onto the parched grass, everything seemed alive today, the birds, the trees and even the people. As hot as it was the cool refreshing pools were open with people all over the country coming in to dive into the glistening cool waters. And that's where Clare was so longing to be, although Clare was excited to see her grandma she was wishing she could spend her birthday tomorrow at the pool with her friends instead of being stuffed up in a small dirty Peugeot. Travelling all the way from Buckleburry to Usk was such a long time to be with her annoying little sister... Beatrice. Beatrice had an annoying grin glued to her face, making her brilliant blue eyes sparkle and glisten everywhere they went. What was more annoying was her fabulous brunette hair that was full of body and moisture, she always rubbed it in Clare's face.

'When will this Torture end?' thought Clare miserably through the sound of her sister's wails. After about 5 minuets' of Beatrice's painful cries Clare had had enough and was going to do something about it. "Mum," cried Clare over the noise. Instead of her mother answering in her sweet gentle voice, a rather gruff voice replied.

"Clare honey Mum's asleep so you'll have to do with me instead."

"Ok dad," replied Clare sitting back in her seat and sighing "Would you please make Beatrice stop her winging please!"

"Ok," said her father chuckling slightly at their behaviour. When her father chuckled it seemed like the whole world wanted to join in (in a good way.) "I'm surprised mum hasn't woken up yet she can sleep through anything that devil can." At the word of devil her mother awoke, rather suddenly, her kind blue eyes vaguely staring at Beatrice.

"SHUT UP BEARTRICE MILLY ROGAN! I AM ABSOLUTELY SICK OF YOUR OF YOUR CRYING AND WINGING JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET WHAT YOU WANT STOP THINKING OF YOUSELF FOR A CHANGE AND START THINKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE LIKE US FOR EXAMPLE HOW MIGHT WE FEEL ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOUR." The car went eerily silent; all that could be heard was the sound of the tires bumping along the rough tired road.

****

By now the moon was a ghostly glow behind the cloudy night. Only the stars could be seen but very vaguely under the grey hunched clouds. As the world turned off their lights they finally pulled up.

There in front of them stood a shabby little cottage with rows of ivy crawling up the edges. It had a short stumped chimney that always seemed to be pouring smoke whatever the weather. The windows were small and neatly glossed with a small thatched roof.

They strutted towards an olive coloured oak door; it had a rusted door knocker in the shape of a lion.

When the door finally opened there stood an old wrinkled lady. Her long grey hair was pulled tightly into a bun and under her old battered eyelids was a short wide nose; her perplexing face was kind and gentle. Under all of that detail she wore a long pinafore covered in flour. Grandma!

****

By the morning the hot sun was seeping through every crack it could find into the small clustered room. That woke Clare up with a start. Her short amber locks were all bushy and fuzzy. Clare's eyes were wide with a magnificent blue for the Iris it was her birthday! Turning 16 was a big step for Clare especially as it was the first week in of the holidays meaning Clare starting her 12th year at Alder Bridge School.

Tired and bored Clare stomped down the old creaky stairs hoping no one would be there. Looked like today wasn't her day her Grandma was there cooking what smelt like eggs and fried bacon. By the time Clare had reached the foot of the stairs her mouth was drooling with hunger.

"Good morning," chirped her grandmother cheerfully "Since you're the first one up this fine morning I shall have the pleasure of eating with you. Shall we?" tired and not paying attention Clare nodded her head. "Lovely." The food on her plate was sizzling and leaking fat. It was as though Clare had just walked into heaven. Every bite she took was as though sinking your teeth into a luscious chocolate bar filled with soft warm caramel. Clare's enjoyment lasted a good 10 minutes before there was a rattle on the staircase as Beatrice came pounding down we face red and her appearance shabby.