Winter's Bite

Chapter 19 Cait

At school the next day everyone talked about the missing man from the day before. It turned out he had a son and daughter at our school, although they weren't at school that day. The latest news reported the man still missing. The police had no new leads.

Rosie and I gained attention as we lived nearby. Between questions about the missing man, I told my friends that Owen and I were back together.

'That's great! Aw, I'm so happy for you.' Cherie grinned.

She sounded genuine. I could see even Rosie was happy for me. Then I told them what had happened on Sunday.

'He never texted to give you an explanation? That's weird.' Shauna frowned.

We stood outside our next classroom, backpacks at our feet. Across the corridor, above spider-plants and ferns, a long window revealed the wet, grey school-courtyard. Rain zigzaged down the pane.

'Maybe his battery ran out,' Cherie offered.

'All day and night?' Shauna looked sceptical.

'Maybe he lost his phone?'

Even Cherie sounded like she knew it was a stretch.

'Don't worry. He might have a good reason. You won't know until you see him,' Rosie offered.

But i could see she was just wanted to make me feel better. Had I been to quick to trust Owen again?

At break-time, Rosie let Liam know I'd got back with Owen. Liam had hinted at us going out again and I'd put him off. I liked him as a friend but no more than that. I felt releived to have a reason for him to back off.

'I hope he doesn't mess you around this time,' Liam grumbled.

Rosie and I exchanged looks past his shoulder. But she stayed silent.

At lunch-time I finally got a message from Owen.

Soz I left so sudden yesterday. Had a family event I had 2 b at. I know ur at school so I'll keep it short. Txt u later xx

'See, I told you there was nothing to worry about,' Rosie said when I showed her.

'Yeah, but he could have texted her yesterday so she didn't worry all day,' Shauna said.

'That's boys,' Cherie grumped. 'They never consider how we might feel.'

I smiled, releived we were still okay. Those two x's at the end reassured me. Owen would give me a full explanation when we next met up. I wondered if Aunt Louise would run me into the village after school. That's if Owen wasn't still tied up with his family.

After school, Aunt Louise waited for me at Garntor bus-stop.

'Your boxes came today.' She grinned.

'At last!'

As soon as we got home I raced upstairs to my room to find it filled with packing cases.

Kevin hobbled in. Dr Slevin had said he could get up and move about as long as he took it easy.

'Wow! You have a lot of stuff.'

'You should have seen what I left behind.'

With Kevin's help I unpacked cases.

I'd thought a lot about where I'd put my gear while I waited for it to arrive so unpacking went without a hitch. Even allowing for frequent squeals as I recognised possessions I'd forgotten I owned.