Eastern District School

Chapter 45 -Change of plan

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rich asked as they pulled up outside her home. Her mother's car was there.

She took a deep breath and nodded. 

"Remember...you need to be calm!" he said his voice soft with concern.

She nodded again.

"Rose..." His hand came to her chin, to force her to look at him. By just turning her head, her eyes locked with his. Their faces inches apart. "Rose, it's important to stay calm, okay?" He said, his voice just barely a whisper. 

"I understand. I promise that I'll keep calm!" she smiled then, despite how her mixed up emotions were making her feel inside. The butterflies in her stomach were increasing by the moment. Although her mother seemed to live a life of deception, she was not so artful with the thought.

Rich let go of her face gently, and opened his door. 

She could do this! She breathed in another deep sigh. Enough fresh air to motivate her mind.

Rich opened her door then, and she looked up to him with another smile. He held out his hand to her and she took it. All the while, still smiling to her partner in crime.

After locking the car, which was probably something he was so inclined to do back in the city, that he never thought otherwise about a small quiet town. However, to always be on the safe side, it was a good habit to be stuck with, she thought. 

Rich followed her closely as she walked up to the house. She opened the porch door and in turn the front door of the house. Pulling off her boots before she entered the main door. 

"So did you want a coffee? In the famous coffee machine, that Tracey bought me? I should probably call her later..." he continued to talk as they walked through to the kitchen together. She wasn't looking for her mother, she knew she was likely to be in the kitchen if she was at home. It seemed to be her favourite room of the house. 

What she wasn't expecting was to find Thomas Carter sat at the kitchen table with her mother. 

Rose's fists clenched. She could feel her blood boiling. The promise she had made just moments ago, already slipping her mind, as both her mother and Thomas Carter looked up to see them. 

"Oh Rose, I wasn't expecting you home so soon." her mother said in a matter-of-fact tone. 

"Good morning Rose, it's nice to see you." came Thomas' greeting. 

It was barely morning, but that wasn't the issue here. He had clearly been spying on her the past week, and not offered any explanation. The thought of his face peering through the window of that diner Rich had taken her to, came flashing back into her mind. She dug her nails deeper into her palms in an attempt to focus on remaining calm, when really all she could think of, was how little effort it would be to outstretch her arm and punch Thomas Carter right on the nose, with her already clenched fist. 

"Someone hasn't had a good morning." said her mother. She didn't even look up at Rose, as she spoke to Thomas. She shrugged her shoulders then and took a sip of her tea that was in front of her on the table. 

Rose didn't even realise she was shaking until she felt Rich's hand cover her own. His warm fingers on her own, trying to prise them loose. She eased against his warm hand and relaxed, as she forced herself to remember her promise. 

"Well, just a busy one." she admitted in as strong as a voice that she could muster. "I'm just going to make us a coffee." She turned to the machine then, as she pulled away from Rich's hand. She was happy to have her back turned to them both.