A Winter's Tale

Chapter 2

The Major kids shivered in the snow. They'd all forgotten coats and gloves, in the rush of exiting home.

Ashley took out her phone and saw that she'd had 2 texts from her best mates.

Ramona

Hey Ash

Hurry up

 Skls about 2 start

where r u

Me

hey ram

im coming about 2 mins away

dw about me

Jackie

hey

wuu2

move ur butt

skls starting

y rnt u here already

Me

jeez calm down

im coming alrite

i overslept

Ashley appreciated the concern and all, but sometimes her mates worried way too much. Ashley looked either side of her and observed her brother texting someone intensely, whilst her sister seemed to be daydreaming. As they crossed the road, Ashley noticed a burly man walking over to them wearing DPD uniform with a bemused countenance.

"Excuse me. I'm looking for Euston Way. Is there any chance you'd know where that is...?

The Major kids were confused – as far as they know, there hadn't been a Euston Way anywhere around this area for as long as they could remember. And so began a staring contest. The DPD guy looked uneasy, as though he were waiting for someone or something. Ashley broke the daze:

"We're very sorry to be of no help, but neither of us have heard of Euston Way. Maybe you could use Google Maps? Again, we're sorry."

As Ashley said this, she was aware of a hostile expression appearing on the delivery guy's face.

"We deeply regret our inability to be of any help...."

Ashley decided it was enough. If this guy didn't want to accept their apology, then that wasn't her problem. The man took out his phone, seeming to take Ashley's advice to look on Google Maps. As he did this, a DPD van came into view.

"Come on, Thomas. Let's go Lily."

Ashley took the head start.

"Oh no, you don't!"

2 more men appeared from the van, running alongside the original delivery guy.

Ashley began to sprint, a second before her siblings decided to – a second too late. As Ashley bolted off, the 3 men caught up with Thomas and Lily. Ashley was faced with a dilemma. She knew she couldn't outfight the men. So she could either try to regain her siblings back, and almost certainly be caught herself, or run off and locate her siblings after. She knew the former option would get her nowhere.

As Ashley ran down the street taking left turns and right, she typed on her phone. Meanwhile, the 3rd pursuer hadn't given up. He had managed to keep up with Ashley's attempts. Ashley knew she'd get caught eventually, so she prepared to fight. She finished texting her dad and Jackie. The man (who Ashley had decided to call Rolex because of his expensive watch) wrapped his arm round Ashley's neck, whilst kicking her behind her knees, trying to get her legs to buckle. Ashley elbowed Rolex's face and bit the arm around her neck.

"Arrrrgggggh! Blimming idiot!"

Ashley smiled in satisfaction – this wasprobably the first time she'd been grateful for the training which Jackie hadforced upon her, but even if, she knew she had made the right choice with the 3men prior. Rolex tried again – this time aiming for a punch in Ashley's solar plexus. However, she spun round before he had a chance, and kicked him in the place that didn't see the sun. That did it. Ashley glanced at her pursuer once more, before sprinting off down the road.