My Tourmaline

Chapter Six

I sit up to an empty, sun filled room. As I shifted off the bed, still slightly sore from the previous night, I wandered into the kitchen hesitantly to see if I could find Harry. He was nowhere to be seen, but a note was left on the kitchen worktop in a cute boyish writing. It read;

 

‘Morning Beautiful, so sorry i am not there to greet you on this sunny day...Mum’s birthday and shes been ringing me all morning!! Help yourself to anything you want, tea/coffee and food etc. I've left some keys in the draw under the oven, so lock up and keep the keys safe. I'll get them from you at some point, or you can put them through the letterbox.. the choice is yours ;) I hope you are okay this morning, can't wait to see you again... if that is okay. Love, H .xxx'

 

Well... did I want to see him again?! Of course I did. But my concerns were how on earth I was getting home! My phone was out of charge, I hate to think how many missed calls I have from Summer, she was expecting me back last night. What if she has called the police... Oh no. I need to find a house phone, pronto. I rustled around draws, looking in every room possible. One room was locked so I figured it wouldn't be in there anyway. Until I finally found one, tucked away behind the microwave in the kitchen. I dialled the number, and it rang...ringing, ringing....

“Hello?”

“SUMMER ITS LIL!”

“Lil!! Finally, I have been so worried. Ive been calling you all night, I even called your brother, and your aunt. Where the HELL have you been?!”

“I’m so sorry, my phone died and.. and...”

Did I want to tell Summer? She’d never look at me in the same way, and I know she’d want me to go to the police about it, but I just didn't want to right now... I needed an excuse and I needed one fast.

“Did you get hold of Aunt Rosa?” I asked.

“No, well I couldnt find her number so...”

“Ah, well I was with her last night, she stayed on the late shift with me, and I stopped at hers. You know how old fashioned she is, she went straight to bed and there was no way I could have rang you to tell you where I was. I’m so sorry for scaring you like that! I’m okay.”

“Well thank fuck for that!! When you going to be home?”

“Um, ill get a...”

SHIT. How was I getting home.. I had no money, and Summer knows Aunt Rosa would lend me some or even give me a lift... Well fuck me I didn't think this through.

“Im not sure yet, Aunt Rosa has gone out and there is no money about. Ill have to walk I suppose...”

“No, dont walk. I'll come meet you at Rosa’s”

My heart sunk.

“No, I'm not there anymore.”

“But I thought you said...”

“...I got bored and left, im at Tommo Walk. You know the block of flats there?”

“Ooo yeah, the posh place. Blimey what you doing round there?!”

“I have no idea, just wandered here haha” I chuckled, when I actually had no expression on my face. Id never bullshitted so much in my life.

“Okay, ill get the bus there it will be quicker. Ill bring money, we can get the bus back together. Or taxi... Sorted. See you in half an hour babe. Mwah” and she hung up.

That was Summer sorted... for now.

 

She rang my brother, so I know he would be worrying like mad. What was I going to say to him?! He knows I find Aunt Rosa uncomfortable to be around, plus he will just ask her. Im going to have to tell him I have a boyfriend but didnt want to tell Summer. Its the only excuse I could think of, and im sure Harry would go along with it if it came to the point where I had to introduce the two of them. My stomach began to rumble. I am starving hungry. I felt so rude invading all his cupboards, but he said it was okay... I think I might write a reply to his letter...

 

'Hey you. Thanks again for last night, I owe you my life. I think I will keep the keys... Gives me an excuse to see you again. Laters, L. xxx. p.s Check inside your microwave.'

 

I wrote on an apple my number, and placed it inside his microwave. That will keep things interesting. My heartbeat was still not at the norm, and I was jumping at every single noise that approached my ears. I could tell it was going to take me awhile to get over the past events, but I knew having Harry as a distraction would help. After about twenty five minutes passed, I cleaned up after having a cup of tea and a piece of toast, and left Harry’s flat in his giant t-shirt, my back suede boots which were muddy and battered, and a pair of leggings Harry happened to have. I was hoping questions wouldn’t be asked by Summer when she realised I was wearing boys clothes.

****************

“Hey you!” Summer ran up to me and squeezed me tight.

“Yo yo yo!” I smiled. I felt somewhat safe again, as my best friend let me go and looked me up and down.

“You smelly funny.....a mixture between aftershave and soap. Explain... now.”

Summer gave me a stern look, she knew I had lied to her. I bit my bottom lip, and as we approached the bus stop I had to break the silence. I had to tell her....

“Trust me Sums, it is not what you think, at all. Well, it sort of is, but then it kind of isn't. I don't think now is the right time or place. Lets leave it till we get home okay?”

My eyes began to water, and she knew something wasn't right.

“You are really worrying me now Lil. This bus journey better be short because this is killing me inside. Are you okay?! Are you hurt, what, what is it?”

“Not now Sums.” I sternly looked at her and she knew to stop.

The bus ride was silent, and awkward. Summer knew something was wrong, and I could tell it was absolutely killing her inside that she couldn't speak til we got home. The suspense was painful, for us both, and I was growing more and more nervous. It would be the first time I spoke of the past event, but I knew by telling her the situation it would become much easier for me to live with. We approached Summer’s flat, and I ran in and jumped on the sofa. Here we go....