Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Francis took a few suitcases and loaded them in her new car, she felt strange, like she wanted to be on her own, she took the cat too. She drove her car, dreadfully, through the park and her crawling pace suited the city but she was overwhelmed by the amount of traffic, and the parked cars alongside her. She had taken too much on, she had been reckless, maybe on purpose and this thought upset her.

"Hey!" A boy tapped on her window, just as she was beginning to freak out. She recognised it as Lacey Brillig.

"Sorry did I- did I do something wrong?" she cried, once she had got the window down, people began to blow their horns behind her.

"No. It's just- you're struggling. Want some help?" he said hesitantly.

"Get in," and she scooted over, "You know how to drive right?"

"Luckily for you," he grinned at her and started her motor back up, "Where to?"

"Angel's Walk please," she blushed.

"No problem," they began to trundle along.

"This is my first time driving, it's so stupid. I've tried it before but at the manor, not on a road. How silly can you get?" she tried to make light conversation with him.

"You weren't that bad. It was your face more than your driving," but then he blushed and looked away, "It's a nice car."

"It was a birthday present," and she felt a lump in her throat.

"The city is tricky for most drivers," Lacey smiled at her.

"You're kind, I forget the Brilligs live in the city," she said.

"All my life. And my new house will be here too."

"Oh, you're moving out?"

"Getting married. Louisa Rite," he nodded.

"Congratulations," and the lump came back.

"Right," he scratched his blond hair.

"So how's Darlin?"

"Good. I think," he nodded, "Yeah. She's fine."

"Good," Francis looked down at her hands in her lap.

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a while, the traffic still heavy. Every now and then the kitten cried from its basket and Francis cooed to it awkwardly.

"Is...is Draco doing okay?" Lacey asked, a flush creeping up his neck.

She looked at him and grimaced.

"I'm sorry. For you too," He turned red.

"Thank you."

"My father's heartbroken about it. He's been to the conferences the past three days says it's a nightmare but I guess..." he trailed off again.

"Yes, it's been a terrible time for everyone. I'm sorry your father hasn't been able to spend the holiday season at home but it should be resolved soon," Francis told him sincerely.

"Oh really? Are you? Is it you?" Lacey asked her eagerly.

She realised what he was asking and nodded her head slowly feeling guilty. He looked at her for longer than he should have and darted his eyes back to the road.

"You must feel so strange," he said quietly.

And she nodded again.

"I felt weird this morning, me and Darlin were looking at your wedding invitation that had arrived a week ago. It would have been today right?" he said.

She stared at the road, feeling ashamed of herself, feeling guilty. Where was Dechuange?

"Father said he's alright by the way, I don't know if you've heard?" Lacey told her.

"No I haven't heard anything!" she eagerly looked at him, "What do you know? Is he in that school? The Information Unit? Was he hurt?"

"He is in that school. His father heard about the raids that happened on your birthday. They were very small and quiet, not High Lords' families but Lord Casa heard about them and so took Dechuange the next morning to the school. Apparently, Dechuange asked to go," Lacey said this all very quietly as if their parents were listening to them now.

Francis began to cry with despair tinged with relief, "Oh Creator," she gasped.

"I think he's safer there. Father's hearing about the others all the time. It was handled so badly. As High Lord of Health he had to go to supervise and it was awful. Look I'm only saying what I think of it really, my father is definitely in support of the changes. I mean look how dangerous they are."

"Don't worry. And you're wrong; we're the ones that are dangerous. You can't round up people at a party and not expect them to get frightened and act out?" she said.

"Is...is that what happened?"

"Lacey, Timothy Lurie was not a monster, he was a scared and upset boy. He loved Blanche de Lacey and she loved him," Francis said to him.