When She's Not Here. (Sequel to 'Him, Me and Them.)

Chapter 18

<<~~ Clare's POV ~~>>

I can't do this anymore. I have to get outside. I look at my phone. 2pm. Good. Still plenty of time.

Mam is downstairs crying in the sitting room again. Okay it's alright when you only cry for a bit but really? Constantly is a little bit too much.

They won't mind if I leave.

I run downstairs.

"Mam? I'm going out. I have money so I can get dinner while I'm out."

"Okay. See you later pet."

See. I knew they wanted rid of me.

"Bye. I love you"

"Love you too"

I hop out the door and into next doors garden. I rap on the door and a lady comes out.

"Hi Chelsea. Are Nicole and Shauna in?"

My mam and Chelsea grew up together. They both used to fight over my dad when they were kids because my dad coached the both of them. Because my dad was young once. Yeah. Right.

"Hey Clare. Mam can we go to the festival with Clare?"

"I love how you know what I'm going to say before I even say it" I laugh.

"That's where we were going weather you liked it or not" Nicole laughs.

"Right go on. Be home for ten. If there is a problem just ring me."

"Bye."

We walk up to the town and into the parade. I turn around to look at one of the rides and a man catches my eye. I have to double take. Oh my god. What's he doing here being all hot and gorgeous.

"Eww who's that staring at you Clare?" Nicole says. "He's so OLD."

I just stand and stare.

"Hello? Earth to Clare! He's still staring!"

"Shut up Nicole."

"Look. Watch this. HEY CREEP!! GO AND STARE AT SOMEONE ELSE!!!"

"Nicole. Shut it."

"Jesus. Is he deaf? DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?! WE ARE FIFTEEN AND YOU ARE EIGHTY. LEAVE CREEP!!!"

I look and see the hurt on his face and I see red. How DARE she hurt him like that. I go for her. Deck her right in the nose. And then I do it again. And then once more for good measure. She falls to the ground.

I look down at my hand and it's covered in blood. I see red again, thinking of his face and go to attack her again but someone grabs me and pulls me close.

But I don't panic. Because I know who it is. Shivers run up my spine, me whole body is tingling and my stomach is doing summersaults.

"What the hell Clare!!" Shauna picks her sister up to drag her away.

"Have fun with grandad!" She shouts.

Does that child want killed?! I go to go for her again but he pulls me close. He spins me around and leaves his hands on my waist.

"I'm so sorry about her", I say.

"Don't worry about it. It's okay. Do you want to go somewhere we can talk? We can go to mine or somewhere else?"

"Let's go to yours."