Eastern District School

Chapter 85 - Cutting it close

"It's cutting it a bit short isn't it?" Rose asked as the three of them climbed into Rich's car.

Her mother had been somewhat reluctant to be a passenger but Rose had convinced her quite easily and with little effort.

"Perhaps your father knows you better than he thought. He obviously knew you would be able to ask my father the right question quite quickly. "

Rose scoffed. "Hmm, quickly? Yeah sure I didn't take long at all!"

Rich frowned at her as they all put their seat-belts on. "Don't be too hard on yourself. This is exceptional circumstances."

Shirley kept silent as Rich pulled out of the driveway.

"How are you feeling?"Rich asked. He raised his voice slightly to aim his question at both of his passengers.

Rose shrugged her shoulders. "I'm fine!" she said swiftly.

Rich raised his head to look in the rear-view mirror at Shirley.

Shirley Johnstone imitated her daughter by shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not really feeling anything!" She said in response.

Rich's head slowly bobbed in a silent reply, before returning his eyes to the road ahead.

The journey to Eastern District was intense. The atmosphere heavy between them. The type of atmosphere that just began as an awkward silence. A silence that spiralled down the longer no one spoke.

So intense that Rich actually put the radio on as background noise.

It hadn't helped!

Rose was so relieved at their arrival that her seat-belt and door was open before Rich had even cut off the engine, after the initial unlocking of the main gates. Although she felt relief at finally getting out of the car into the open, there was another feeling that was beginning to take over. A large twisting motion in the pit of her stomach. It was rising quickly until her chest began to ache with the pressure that seemed to be building within her. By the time Rich came to her side, her whole body was shaking.

His arms reached for him, and he brought her to him and embraced her.

"Rose, you are going to be fine." He whispered in her ear. Her head was crushed against his chest but he felt her nod in recognition. "I will wait in the nursery for you. I will be close by. I'm sorry I can't be there with you, but your mum will be by your side. " There was a pause before he continued. "Rose, look at her." He released his arms slightly to allow her to turn her head to look at her mother. "She needs you!" he whispered at last.

Rose looked at her mother above Rich's arm. She nodded again and began to pull away. Rich dropped his arms allowing her to move. She walked towards her mother who although she appeared calm was as white as a sheet. She smiled as best as she could, willing her eyes not to spill.

"Come on ma." she said simply.

Shirley and Rose walked beside one another as Rich took the lead and walked towards the current entrance of Eastern District. He unlocked the building and turned off the alarm that had been fitted, shortly followed by the turning on of the lights in the main fusebox at the front of the building. Rose wondered for a moment how her father would have been able to make his own way to the roof, but didn't voice her question. She realised there was no stopping her father, so there was no reason to question his motives. Surely that was putting trust in her father...and a lot of it at that!

They climbed the stairs, which seemed to take forever. Her heart sounded loud in her ears, and she was certain that if either her mother or Rich began to talk to her she would not hear them over the sound of her quickened pulse.