The Chain (A Catherine Diary) - Stamfield. Complete

Chapter 42

42

We walked in silent for a while. I was thinking about my mum's change in personality. I wondered whether she had just come to terms with the fact I was growing up and wanted to treat me as a adult.

'Your mum seems really nice'

It took me a few seconds to decipher what Jack had said through the haze of my thoughts. 'Thanks...I'm sorry I wasn't there when you arrived, were you waiting long?'

'No, I got there five minutes before you did. I didn't get you in trouble with your mum?'

He must have been referring to the chat we had in the kitchen, 'no it was fine'. I decided to change the subject, I didn't want to continue chatting about my mum. 'So, how far is it to the party?'

'Only a fifteen minute walk, we should be there soon. Can't remember what number house it is, but I'll recognize it when I see it'

He didn't need to, when we were within a hundred yards of the house, we could hear the beat of the dub-step playing. I began to get nervous, I couldn't remember ever going to a party where I didn't know anyone. This would have been my first and I was beginning to have second thoughts about it.

'It's alright, I won't leave you alone', Jack said, as though reading my mind, he grabbed my hand and lead me closer to the house.

I was surprised how comfortable his hand was in mine, almost as though we actually had a connection. I looked at him and had to remind myself why I had come along, it wasn't to get a boyfriend, but to find out if Jack had Carla's pendant. It was at that moment that I chose to consider how I was going to manage that. I could just chat about the previous day and hope he says something that would implicate himself or I could just come straight out and ask him. I imagined him breaking down in tears, apologizing and pulling the pendant from his pocket. Like that would happen? I asked myself. Besides, I didn't think he took it. He certainly had the opportunity, but what would be his motive, at least, when you consider Sherry, you have the opportunity and the motive. But I just couldn't see why Jack would do it, although he did show a keen interest in the pendant at the time.