It's all about TRUST

Chapter 5

Alexis, Chapter 5

What were Holly and her mum talking about? The words played over and over again in my head. He doesn’t even know what I look like; it was before I was born that it happened. What happened? And who was “he”? I needed to know this otherwise I would probably die of curiosity.

‘What were you talking about to your mother about on the phone?’ I asked nosily.

‘Oh, nothing,’ said Holly, nervously.

‘Come on, tell me,’ I replied.

‘It’s nothing, really.’

‘Spit it out.’

‘It’s nothing! How many times do I have to tell you?’

‘I’m your best friend, surely you would tell me all your secrets, I tell you mine.’

‘What, like, who you fancy? That’s nothing.’

‘Ah! So it is something!’ I said.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Look, I doubt it’s anything serious. Don’t worry you can trust me.’

‘But it is.’

‘What?’

‘It’s serious. It’s a secret mother and I have been keeping since I was born.’

‘Oh. Maybe I can help you. Tell me please; I’ll be sympathetic.’

‘I don’t want sympathy.’

‘Then what do you want?’

‘I guess I just want to tell you, but I shouldn’t.’

‘Oh come on!’

‘Okay, but you must promise, and I mean a serious promise, that you will not tell anyone.’

‘I promise.’

‘You promise on your life?’

‘I promise on my life.’ Even though I don’t believe in promises on lives.

‘Well , here goes. You know that my father died before I was born, right?’

‘Yes…’

‘Well he used to be a coach driver. He crashed the coach full of school children that he was driving.’ I gasped. ‘Everyone survived, apart from one boy who died later in hospital from serious injuries. My father went to prison for manslaughter. He got one year. This wasn’t enough for the boy’s father though. He was unforgiving. He had already lost his wife during childbirth, and he had now lost his only child because of my father. He was alone. The loneliness and pain drove him crazy. So crazy he wanted my father. Dead. My mother was heavily pregnant with me when it happened. My father had just got out of prison. My mother was in hospital giving birth to her baby, me. My father was driven home by the police to drop off his bags, but by the time he realised who was waiting for him, the police were gone. There and then, the man, Michael Dowger, shot a bullet through my father’s head.  But it still wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough for him. He wanted my father’s family dead, too.  When my father didn’t come to pick her up from the hospital, the police went back to investigate. Dowger had run off before they got there though; leaving a note saying “the revenge is not finished”.  The police found the note and my father’s dead body. They knew it was no longer safe for me and my mother to live in that house anymore. They relocated us and changed her name; there was no need to change mine though as my mum only named me after she had been renamed. My mum was given a new look. Dyed blonde hair and plastic surgery. I know, it’s horrible. The police searched for him for three years, but they couldn’t find him so they eventually gave up. He’s still looking for us though, and we know it. He won’t ever give up until he finds us.’ The shock hit me like a bullet.

‘So you’re in hiding?’

‘Yes.’ My brain couldn’t process it. My best friend and her mum were hiding from a murderer!

‘Wow. My best friend is in hiding. Now that’s a secret.’ There was a long silence before the bus drove to a halt. I grabbed my bags, and walked out of the bus emotionless. Tom and his mates came out after us. I hoped they didn’t notice the awkwardness.

‘So you definitely won’t tell anyone? Swear on your life.’

‘I already have.’

‘Do it again.’

‘I swear on my life,’ I said slowly.

‘What’s this all about girrrls?’ asked Sam suspiciously.

‘It’s not for your ears, so keep your nose out,’ I replied.

‘Come on, we should go,’ said Holly, tugging on my arm. We started walking back, then we turned right onto Booth Street.

‘This is serious,’ I whispered.

‘I know. It doesn’t seem that big to me though, as I’ve known this secret all my life.’

‘You have to be careful. I’m surprised your mum’s even let you out of the house!’

‘The guy doesn’t even know what I look like.’

‘Hmmm. I thought your mum was being really over protective of you at first, but now…’

‘You know,’ said Holly, finishing off my sentence.

‘Yes, I know. But in these circumstances, your mum is not protecting you at all! This guy, Dowger, is a dangerous man.’

‘I know.’ We arrived back at my house. ‘We should stop talking about this now; be normal.’

‘Okay.’ We knocked on the door, and mum answered it right away.

‘Hello girls! Have you had a good time?’ said mum. We entered the house.

‘Yeah it was great fun! When will dad be home?’ I replied.

‘In an hour or so probably,’ answered mum.

‘Okay,’ I said, ‘should we phone Holly’s mum to say that we got back safely and to pick her up?’

‘Yes, okay. The phone’s on the table.’ I picked up the phone and passed it to Holly.

‘Thanks,’ she said hastily. She spoke to her mum, then said to me, ‘She will pick me up in ten minutes.’

‘Okay,’ I said, and smiled. She smiled back nervously. I guess it was a big thing, her telling me this.

‘Why don’t you two show me what you’ve bought?’ mum said.

‘Okay…’ I replied.

‘Well, I bought some red Hollister shorts, some chocolates, and a Pandora charm. Alexis bought me some make-up too,’ said Holly. My mum shot me a questioning look.

‘I’ll show you what I bought later, mum,’ I said.

‘Shall we put the TV on until my mother comes?’ asked Holly.

‘Yeah, sounds great. Let’s put 4music on.’

‘Ok, I think the charts might be on now.’ I grabbed the remote and pressed the “on” button. The TV came to life. I changed the channel until we were on 4music. Indeed the charts were on. “Domino” was playing. It was at number three. I slumped down onto the sofa next to Holly. I realised for the first time, that I was exhausted. Shopping was exhausting. Secrets were exhausting. Everything about today was exhausting.