Heartbeats in Moonlight

Chapter 61

Nothing stayed a secret for long in this small community.

David went to Ella's place where he met Evie. David had gone, because he decided they should put their issue to bed before Jack and Amelia returns from their honeymoon. He was also here to see if that rumour, about Ella leaving the town, was false. Evie had gone to Ella's house with scones as a peace offering. But while she knocked, for ages, on Ella's door, David was in the back-garden, peering through the door and windows of her office looking for Ella.

And Evie was as shell-shocked as David when they realised the rumour was right. There was no sign of Ella. It was only after Ella's neighbour, who had arrived with her groceries, told David and Evie that Ella had left earlier today. She also told them, that apparently Ella would return to pack her belongings but her neighbour wasn't sure when exactly. She thought Ella might return after she has bought a new house and she might rent out this house. The news left David and Evie in a state.

Evie was in utter shock. "I knew something was wrong." She nibbled at her lips and looked over at David. "She said goodbye. She called me Evangeline at Ames' wedding."

"Well, that is your name!" David mumbled, as his scrambled mind was sifting through the information while he heard the shatter of his heart.

"I know, but she never calls me Evangeline!" She glowered at David and her tone showed her frustration. "I phoned when I got home, but she didn't pick up. So I decided that I would go around to her place, today, with a peace offering." She lifted the Tupperware with the scones. "And she isn't there." She was close to tears.

"Where would she go?" David asked and automatically dropped an arm around Evie's shoulder and gave her a hug. David hoped that Evie wouldn't blubber, because David wasn't good with crying people. And he also hoped that Evie would have clues about where Ella might be.

"To her family? I guess. Well, her dad or her sisters." Evie huffed. "But her neighbour said she would buy a new place." Evie pointed out.

"Where?"

"I don't know. I am not her minder!" She snapped, as frustration overwhelmed her sadness, then she apologised, "Sorry, David. She didn't tell me. I mean, I knew something wasn't right." She sighed. "But I didn't know that she was going to leave. For good. She could have told me." That was why she was sad.

Standing in her front drive way, David looked around, hoping to find more clues. "Perhaps she might buy close to her parents. Where do they live now? Her parents. Do you know?"

And least David's blunt questions had stemmed Evie's tears of sadness and frustration. She stepped away. "Just her father. He manages a team in England I think." Evie said as she ransacked her mind for relevant information.

"England? Are you sure? " David ran a hand through his hair. Typical, fate was not being helpful.

"Yes. Well, I think so." Evie paced forward and back on the driveway. "Sorry, David, I don't know for sure."

"I'll have to go."

"Go to England?" Evie asked in shock and paced back to stand in front of him. "You want to track Ella in England?"

"We need to talk." David huffed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Join the queue!" Evie sighed. Then she frowned and pointed out the oblivious, "It's still term time. You are teaching ...."

"I know."

"Well, is that a problem for you? I mean you are the only Phys teacher! In any case, you don't know where they are in England"

"I know. I'll find out." His mind was spinning around. Why didn't he corner Ella yesterday? He should have followed Jack's advice; have a quiet chat with Ella, talk about the issue, and move forward. Instead, he challenged her by goading her at the reception when his sister went off with Ben.