Lucy rushed home that day, not caring to look down at her arm even once. She wanted nothing to do with Jack, especially now because he was leaving. was there a point? she barely thought so.
She scurried along the pavement, skipping over rocks and rudely shoving people that were in her way. Where had her manners gone?
Lucy would confront her father first, and then swiftly approach Becky on the same subject. It had never fully occurred to her that perhaps maybe her father and Becky were...together. Or at least contemplating the idea. So what if that was what was going on? Shouldn't she be happy for her father?
No, she barely was, because she was too busy being sorry for her mother.
She approached her house with confident long strides, as if she were strutting in front of a million people, and opened the door forcefully. Running through the tiny corridor, she approached her fathers door and knocked impatiently.
Come in. She heard quick shuffling of paper. And walked in. He was quickly putting away a few papers into his drawer.
Father we need to talk right now. She did not hesitate to get straight to her point. He looked at her.
A look of worry quickly crossed his features, though as soon as it had come, it was gone. If Lucy had not been staring intently at him, or if she did not know her father so well, she would not have noticed his strange expression. But it had been there. And she had seen it.
How was today's meeting darling? His tone was forced, and it pained her to realise that her father was truly hiding something.
Father please. What is it you're hiding from me?
Hiding? He laughed. Oh, he even had the audacity to laugh. What nerve.
I'm not stupid. Tell me what you're doing with Becky. Tell me why, you keep talking about Jack...why do you know these things which are meant to be confidential!? Does she make you feel special father? Are you using her for some...twisted plan?
He scowled at his daughter and frantically stood up. Don't you dare talk to me that way! He shouted. she refused to be phased, stood her ground.
Don't you dare lie to me. She retorted. Jema spilled the beans, She lied. This would get him talking.
He rubbed his eyes.
A sigh.
Silence.
Another deep sigh.
And then defeat.
You should've been doing okay by now, dammit! He shouted. She screwed up her eyes.
What? Jema had been telling the truth.
Lucy, Ive been monitoring you.
Tell me something I don't already know. She rolled her eyes.
Listen. He commanded. Becky and I have been watching you. Taking notes and monitoring your behaviour, your progress-which there is none.
Pshht, what else have you been doing with Becky. She murmured to herself. He heard, but chose to ignore her lack of respect.
I decided that there was no way you would make progress in there, and so when I approached Becky on the matter...he paused, She suggested bringing in a new member. She decided that hour chances of noticing him were greater if he came after everyone else. If he was different.
She froze.