Shot in the Dark

Opportunities

I had spoken to Tyler every single night on the phone, I had managed to persuade Mum to put locks on my door after telling her how James had walked in on me changing, and I had even found a similar frame to the one Dad gave me that had been destroyed by James. Mum however didn't believe me when I told her that James had trashed my room and that he broke my frame, somehow she fell for James' story of how I'm trying to turn everyone against him because I'm jealous. Somehow, I had ended up being the one that was punished and had been grounded for a week. How that seemed fair I have no idea, but I should give it to James he was a convincing liar. I hated him even more for it. So, I have lived in my room for the last week locking everyone out and refusing to leave unless it was for dinner. That lock gave me the protection from James that I truly needed.

There was a knock on the door, expecting it to be James I threw the door open shouting "What do you want?" Guess I looked like an idiot when it was Alec. "Take it down a few octaves Isabelle why don't you, your Mum told me to get you for dinner." 

I couldn't remember Mum saying that Alec was back from University it wasn't even Easter holidays yet, why is he back now? 

Following behind him not uttering a word I awkwardly sat down next to Alec, feeling slightly bad for screaming in his face only seconds ago.

Something was off. Mum had never been any good at hiding when she was nervous about something, and right now that radar was going off so much I'm surprised it didn't break. Her constant fussing over the food and drinks, the touching of her hair, even the scrunching of her nose. Something was up, and by the way she was acting she knew I wouldn't like it. 

"Just spit it out Mum." I decided to relieve her from her misery, not being able to handle the fidgeting for much longer. Her deep sigh indicated that this was going to be a big deal. "Well we've just been thinking; you guys are all a lot older now. Isabelle you'll be seventeen next month and boys you're both adults now. Will and I have been offered a position in the Manchester hospital, it's a permanent contract that means we can still run our surgery but we must spend a week at the end of every month in the hospital. Now I know this is a big deal, but we feel that you all are old enough to take care of yourself. Isabelle, James will always be in the house after Alec goes back to University so you don't have to worry about being here alone. It's just such a wonderful opportunity that we can't afford to turn down, I hope you're all okay with it." 

I could feel my food slowly coming back up. The thought of being in this house alone with James was enough to make me feel like I was having a panic attack. 

James was the only one to speak, "Of course, we all understand. Like you said I can look after Isabelle while you're away. I think this will be a fantastic opportunity for all of us." I glared at Mum before dismissing myself to go to my room, locking the door before screaming into my pillow. 

I rang Tyler immediately and I knew what I would have to do. "Tyler? That couch you offered I may have to take you up on that."