Arthur couldn't hear his phone ring over the thumping music. It wasn't until he sat down that he felt it vibrating against his thigh. He pulled it out of his pocket and noticed that he had three missed calls. It started to ring again and Ally's name popped up on the screen. It was gone midnight and she never called him on one of his nights out.
"Ally." He asked, but he didn't get a response. "Ally, can you hear me?" The line must have gone dead and went to hang up. It wasn't until he heard a sob that he realised Ally was on the other end of the line. "Ally, whats happened? Are you okay?" He asked and panic set in him. The only response he could hear were her cries. "I'm coming to get you." He hung up and picked up his abandoned jacket. As he was putting his arm through the last sleeve Amy bounded up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"You're not going, are you?" She whined like a little girl. "We're moving onto the club in the minute."
"I'm going to find Alison. Somethings up." He unwrapped her arms from him and made his way to the exit.
"I'm sure she's fine, Arthur, just come to the club." She looped her index finger into the hook of his jeans and pulled him further into the pub.
"No. I'm leaving." Amy wasn't used to him saying no to her and the shock of it rounded her eyes. Her lips began to tremble.
"You promised me, Arthur. This was supposed to me our night. You promised." She complained as a fake tear slid down her check. He was the only one who knew that she could cry on demand and for this he would not be fooled.
"Ally needs me. I'm going." She dropped her hold on him and he left the pub. He knew Ally didn't have plans tonight so hailed a taxi and made his way to her flat.
Unlocking the door, he hastily entered, and let it slam behind him. Sarah and Oliver were staying at their parents so he need not worry about the noise he was making. He flicked on the light and looked around the room, confusion stopping him in his tracks. The place was a mess: chairs were knocked over, box's emptied carelessly and nothing in its rightful place. He headed straight to her bedroom and on his way he noticed that the television was missing. He found Ally curled up in a ball, her quilt covering her up to her eyes. Her room was just as messy, as though someone had been trying to find something in a rush. He bent over and scooped her in his arms and sat them both on her bed. She adjusted the blanket to ensure they were both covered and gently wept into his shoulder.
Ally had stayed late after closing to give the cafe a deep clean. She had nothing better to do that night; Sarah wasn't home and Arthur was out for the night so she did something useful and felt good for it. The cafe had needed the clean and her boss was sure to be pleased in the morning.
She arrived home just after it had started to get dark outside. The door was slightly ajar and her heart had immediately began to race. She was welcomed to heartbreak. Everything had been turned upside down and it was obvious someone unwanted had been there. She carefully walked through the front room and saw that the TV had been taken, the x-box was also missing but knowing Sarah she would have taken it with her. She had walked through each room slowly and saw how each was the same, each as mistreated as the other. She didn't think they had taken much other than her television but she couldn't be sure. Hell, she and Sarah didn't have anything worth taking.
She rang the police and made a cup of tea to calm her nerves as she waited for them to arrive. When they did, she gave a statement and was told they would get in touch when they had more information. She locked the door after they had left and turned to look at the mess. She began to tidy up but with each item she picked up, the more unsettled she became — the more unsafe she began to feel. If someone could get in here once they would be able to do it again. She stared at the front door, frightened that someone was about to walk through it. She stopped tiding. It could wait.
