The Other Me

Chapter Five

Chapter 5

My heart stopped and my body completely froze. There he was, about half a metre away from me. The killer. The man who was going to murder my best friend.

For the past night, I had fantasised about meeting Barratt.  I could run up to him and punch him in the nose. I could strangle him with his own tie. I even could have done a complicated, martial art, flip-thing and then boot him unexpectedly in the groin. But none of that could have prepared me for this.

After about 40 seconds of staring at him in shock, I suddenly registered the situation. If I didn’t do something soon, this murderer was going to find Rosaline. In his office. Snooping. I could have planned her funeral then and there.

As Barratt slowly reached for the door handle, still chatting to his wife, I shrieked instantly. “Sir! I need to talk to you!”

He turned to stare at me, slightly taken aback. His hand moved away from the handle. Inside, I nearly died with relief.

“What is the matter dear?” he asked me in a deeply concerned way. For a moment, I felt really sad. It really looked like he cared. If I hadn’t known what he was about to do, I would have thought him to be the most gentle and kindest man, right on the list next to Father Christmas. What a pig.

Quickly snapping out of my thoughts, I remembered about the plan I had made with Rosaline the night before. “I think I saw three older boys beating up a small child!” I blurted. This was the only I thing I could think of that would distract Barratt fully. He was apparently very against bullying and the only time I had ever seen him angry was over a bully incident. Pity it was all pretend.

“Thugs!” Barratt jumped up and cried incredulously. “Where are they? Where? Show me!”

“Er,” I said startled, not expecting this sort of reaction. “Outside. Behind the bins.”

“Excuse me John,” Mrs Barratt’s head popped out from behind her husband, sounding irritated. I had actually forgotten she was there for a second. “I need to discuss something with you.”

“Sorry darling!” Barratt called, already setting out towards the bins. “I have to deal with one more thing first!” I heard Mrs Barratt sigh loudly behind me, as I hurried reluctantly after her husband. I thrust my hand in my pocket, and without even glancing, I miss-called Rosaline with my own mobile. I had given her ‘the emergency’ phone, which Mum had stashed in a drawer, in case any of us lost our originals. I prayed that Rosaline would understand and realise she had to get the hell out of there.

I let the phone ring long enough to make a bit of noise and then I cancelled it. Still hurrying after Barratt, we went outside to the large bins which all had an over-powering stench. Of course, when we got there, there was no one.

“No!” Barratt roared passionately. “They’re gone!” Wow, he was a bloody good actor, I’d give him that. “Did you see who it was? What year are they in?”

“Um… I don’t know- I didn’t see…” I blabbered. I was getting very nervous now. What if Rosaline didn’t get out in time?

“Nothing!” Barratt cried in disbelief. “Nothing? Not even the type of clothes they were wearing?”

“Well, I suppose all three of them were wearing black hooded jackets,” I spluttered. “And the child… he had ginger hair and was wearing…. A pink jumper!”

“I see,” Barratt was listening to me thoughtfully and carefully. I severely hoped there was no such child, as I’m sure there really would be thugs ganging up on him. “Thank you for telling me this. Yes… I think I know what boys you are telling me about. Those trouble makers. I’ll speak to them later. Thank you again! It was very good of you to tell me! Now I best be off…” Barratt turned and walked away back into the school.