Cloned

Chapter 14

Emily POV

The truck was quite warm and our plane had landed late so it didn't take long for Maddie to fall asleep, her head falling to the side of the window as we went past countless areas of prairie land towards the mountains. We had stopped for coffee at the legendary Tim Hortons and the coffee was just as good as Emma had said it was. James had managed to hold a conversation with Emma since his embarrassing episode in the car park. They had discussed quite a lot about the Canadian lifestyle and James's complaints about tiredness seemed to have disappeared.

Eventually after a few hours of driving we arrived at a dirt track with a massive wooden arch over the gate post. Emma veered the truck through the gateway with immaculate precision and started to drive towards a ranch along the road. The sun was setting and the sky was turning orange. “When you get out, you may want to go straight inside. The mosquitos will bite anything even vaguely resembling human.” Emma said as she shut off the engine. I opened the truck door and stepped out onto the dried mud. James had stepped out and gone round to retrieve Maddie. I grabbed 2 suitcases whilst Emma took the third. Together we walked like refugees towards the ranch. In the doorway stood my oldest friend. He had aged since the last time I saw him but he still had the crooked smile and the eyes that had that twinkle to them. He wore an old set of jeans, checked shirt and cowboy boots that had more pattern to them than some of the paintings in the Tate.

“Hi Dad.” smiled Emma as she entered the threshold. I walked over to Sam as he hugged me “I guess we both have changed a lot.” he said to me as we broke apart. I nodded.

“Thank you so much for letting us stay.” I said as I wiped the lone tear from my eye.

“No worries. I promised remember? You can stay as long as you like.” he replied, He looked over at James who was still holding onto Maddie. “Shall I show you where she is to sleep. Emma! Please can you show the young man where they are all sleeping. Emma reappeared and showed James upstairs. I was left alone in the room with Sam. He motioned me over to a faded couch and sat me down.

“I mean it, Emily, I owe you everything. Relax a few days and then we can figure something out for Maddie and James. Emma will probably be glad of the company and we can always do with someone to help with the dishes.” He finished smiling.

“Thank you so much Sam. We need a safe place now.” I managed a weak smile before dissolving into tears and collapsing into him. I had kept it together for Maddie and James's sake but was falling apart on the inside.

“Here is safe.”

James POV

I carried Maddie up the staircase and followed Emma along the corridor into a small room with a little bed in the corner and some little girl paraphernalia stacked in the corner.

“All my old stuff.”Emma shrugged when she noticed my staring. I deposited Maddie onto the bed and tucked her in fully clothed. Mum could deal with that tomorrow. I switched off the light and followed Emma back along the corridor down to another room which I guessed was mine. I walked into it and immediately took in the overwhelming coolness of the room compared to the stifling hotness outside. I took a running jump and bounced onto the bed; Emma's laugh ringing in my ears. I turned over in the bed to face her and she had practically fallen onto the floor laughing. Well done James. Managed to get another female to fall to the floor laughing at your childish demeanour. Emma continued to laugh when she saw me going the colour of a lobster. I rolled over to try to get up but got caught up in the sheets and managed to catapult myself onto the floor. This was the end for Emma and she fell onto the floor her whole body convulsing with laughter. I started to giggle to and before I knew it we were both laughing on the floor.

Just then the door creaked open and my mother peeped her head round to see me and Emma lying on the floor laughing. We took one look at her then at each other and laughed harder. Mum shook her head then walked out, a small smile on her lips.

Eventually Emma managed to compose herself enough to get up.

“Bathrooms through there. Do you want to take a running jump into that too?” she asked me. I got up off the floor and began to run at the bathroom. Despite my best efforts to land perfectly and look impressive and cool to Emma, I ran and slipped on my arse and ended up colliding with the bathtub instead.

“Good try! Bet I can do better!” she said laughing. I looked at the floor.

“you're on!” I replied grinning. Emma then took a few steps back and ran straight at the tub, she jumped over me and landed perfectly in the tub without so much as a wobble. I stared at her. No way could she have done that. She sat down in the tub and looked at me still sitting on my arse. She smiled and said:

“Gymnastics class when I was younger. Running and jumping over something is in fact an Olympic sport.” I laughed. She then got herself up and jumped back over the top of me.

“Shower is easy enough to work out. Towels are over here. Use whatever stuff you like.” She turned around and walked out the bathroom. I watched her go. Damn. I have just managed to make an absolute fool of myself without her running screaming from me. I grabbed my things from my room and walked into the bathroom.

Emma POV

I watched James go into the bathroom and lock the door. What he had failed to notice was that the light switch was on the outside. I turned around and flipped onto my bed. He was a nice guy and seemed to be able to make a fool of himself and laugh it off. Good guy to have around here. I watched Dad and Emily come back upstairs. Dad was talking under his breath to Emily. I edged more towards them.

“...its safe here Emily. They won't come for you here. I didn't tell Emma anything either.” He added after Emily asked him something. I snuck back into by room whilst the past. Then after checking the coast was clear, ran to bathroom where I could here a particularly funny voice murdering “Timber” whilst singing in the shower. I flicked the light switch off. A scream, mirror-shatteringly high, echoed around the bathroom. I flicked the light switch back on and heheheed at the door, just loud enough for him to hear. I ran back to my room and began to get ready for bed.