Whispers on a Wing

Chapter Ninteen

Hope you enjoy <3

"So the good news is you don't have a concussion, but I definitely think someone needs to be with you for the next 24 hours just in case."

True to his word Jake had taken me back to his house where his mum was currently giving me a full evaluation.

She looked nothing like her son, with dark curly hair and deep chestnut coloured eyes, but there was something about her mannerisms and the way she moved around the room that just screamed Jake's mum. She had a confidence about her that probably came from years of giving orders in a surgical ward.

"Oh thank God," Alice sighed in relief, placing her hand on her chest as if she was a mum worried about her child and not a friend who I hadn't seen in nearly four years.

"See," I said pointedly, giving her and Jake a so there expression. "I told you I was fine."
I was starting to feel uncomfortable with the eyes of so many people on me and I started to mindlessly fidget with the hem of my T-shirt. At least I had Alice here as another set of eyes, just in case something was showing that shouldn't be. I was worried that I'd inevitably make a mistake and either Jake or his mum would see something they shouldn't.

Even then, I still wasn't sure I trusted Alice completely, she hasn't seen me since that one and only time when we were kids, and who knew how she'd react if she saw them again

"So are you both staying for dinner?" Jake's mum asked as she pocketed the small torch she'd previously been using to shine in my eyes and walked over to the kitchen. "We're having fajitas tonight and I always make way too much for us to get through."

"Thank you so much for the offer Mrs. Sulfree," Alice rushed out before I had a chance to open my mouth. "But I've got to get back to my family. If I'm not there for dinner my mom is gonna flip her lid."

I went to decline her offer as well, feeling more than uncomfortable being this close to Jake and his mum, but before I could get even a word out, Alice spoke over me.

"But I know Kathy's free."

I sent her a death glare, trying to tell her with my eyes just how much I didn't appreciate her involvement, but she just offered me a small wave with her fingers and a smile looking the picture of innocence.

"Are you sure Alice?" Mary asked, washing her hands before she walked over to the fridge to get the chicken out.

"Yeah I'm so sorry," she nodded again, grabbing her keys off the counter and all but sprinting to their front door, her long curls swaying behind her as she went.

I got up off the bar stool I'd been sitting on and only swayed slightly.

"Careful," Jake said, quickly supporting my forearm before letting me go. He'd been suspiciously quiet all evening, watching in silence as his mum looked at my head, and I squinted at him slightly in suspicion before moving over to chase after Alice.

"I don't live to far from her house so when she's ready to head home give me a ring and I'll come and get her," Alice yelled over her shoulder at the room.

"You live in the woods with her?" Jake asked, sounding confused. I hadn't noticed he'd followed us to the front door.

"Y-yes," Alice hesitated only a second before nodding her head in confirmation. "More on the outskirts but I don't mind coming to get her, I only live about fifteen minutes from here anyway so it's not to far out the way."

"I can always take her, no point in you heading back out," Jake offered and I had to hold myself back from practically yelling no at him.

"No it's alright," I smiled. "My mums home and she hasn't seen Alice in so long it'll be nice for them to say hi."