Runaway

Runaway - chapter 4

4.

My last supper wasn’t anything special. Niamh kept looking over at me with sad eyes. As I’d told her a million times on the way home, nothing could stop me now.

“Not even the prospect of a relationship with a best friend?” she said, giving me a sly little wink and nudge.

“No.” I’d said bluntly.

I watched the Lilly, a little 8 year old; roll her peas around on the plate. I gave her a longing look. I wished my life could be easy like hers was. Being young and cute usually got you fostered quicker than if you were 15 and hormonal.

“Cat, will you help me tomorrow with my Saturday job?” Ellie asked, picking nervously at the food on her plate. “The dogs last week were pretty wild, and I need some help.” She looked up at me with pleading eyes.

I gulped. I’d have to lie my way out of this one. “Um, sorry, I can’t, I need to do some chemistry revision. Big test. I’d love to help out, but I can’t.” I gave her a weak smile to show how sorry I was.

She sighed, “It’s ok. I’ll get Sasha to help instead.”

Wow, I felt bad.

“I need to be excused if you don’t mind.” Niamh got up abruptly and left the dining room, not even waiting for Jackie to let her leave.

“I hope she’s ok.” Jackie muttered. “Is everything ok at school Calleigh?” Jackie gave me a piercing look. Jackie was the head social worker here. She had a young looking face; she literally looked about 12, not old enough to be a social worker. She had brown wavy hair and piercing blue eyes. She had a heart of gold, but could scare you sometimes, especially if she caught you sneaking back in late at night after going down the pub with Frank and Tom…

I gulped again. I was starting to sweat. Gross. “Yeah, everything’s great. Maybe her and Kieran are going through a rough patch?” I said, trying to act casual.

Jackie shrugged “I don’t know. I’m glad I don’t have teenage daughters.” she said to no one in particular.

“I’ll talk to her after dinner Jackie. I’m sure she’s just feeling a little ill or something.” I said, trying not to act too suspicious.

Jackie nodded and went back to her dinner. Everyone carried on chattering with each other, the little ones talked more than us older kids. Candice had her iPod in one ear and was nodding along to the beat no one else could hear. This is why I kinda liked this place; it had no set rules, well not necessarily. Bed by 10pm on a school night and always do your chores, blah, blah, blah. It wasn’t exactly strict, but it wasn’t a mad house either.

Everyone finished slowly, and by the time the plates were cleared, it was 7 already.

Only a few more hours, I thought to myself a little sadly.

Everyone went their separate ways, Ellie and Jade asked if I wanted to come down the park with them. Jade was a bubbly character, but rarely talked to me.

“Sorry guys, I gotta go check on Niamh first. Wait for us, yeah?”

They nodded and headed off to the living room. I know this sounds lame, but we usually went down the park on a Friday after dinner. Ellie always insisted on taking me, for protection from the hoodies, she’d once told me. Sometimes they would chat us up, and sometimes I would find Frank and Tom down there, mucking about and showing off. God, I was gonna miss them.

I heaved a sigh and started up the stairs, wishing I didn’t have to do this. That was the trouble with running away and making friends before hand in a home; you had to let them go.

Niamh’s room was the opposite end of the long hall to mine. I stopped at her door. I took a deep breath and knocked. No one answered, so I just went in.

Niamh’s room was different to mine. It was darker for starters, facing away from the sun. Her room was much tidier than mine, but there were tons of books and a tall pile of CDs next to her bed which she used as a table. Her wall was decorated with various bands and one wall had been doodled on frequently; some of those doodles being done by me. Her bed was in the middle and she had a huge beautiful bay window with a seat framed with flowing white curtains, looking out onto the street and roads beyond. You could see the park from here. There was a wardrobe and a desk like I had, but it was much less cluttered.

Niamh was sitting at the bay window, rubbing her eyes and sniffing. She didn’t turn when I came in, just carried on staring aimlessly out of the window.

“I can’t do this Cat, not on my own.” She whispered. Her voice sounded strained and muffled.

I sighed, sitting down next to her and hugging her.

She didn’t pull away, just cried, and so did I. We sat there silently crying, the time passing slowly.

“I know, but I want to go, I have to go and look for my parents.” I said.

“But they could be miles away.” Niamh whispered into my hair.

I knew she was right, but I just shrugged it off. “Yeah, well, hopefully I’ll go far.”

“I’ll miss you so much.” She said, pulling away and looking me in the eyes.

“I’ll miss you too, but I’ll try and stay in contact.”

“Ha, try.” She laughed, wiping under her eyes. “God, I bet I look a mess.” She said.

“Nothing different from usual.” I laughed.

She elbowed me in the ribs. “Speak for yourself. Come, on, El and Jade will be waiting for us, won’t they?”

“Hopefully we’ll see Tom and Frank down the park.” I nodded.

“Of course, after today’s performance, Tom will definitely be down there!” Niamh winked.

I couldn’t help but smile at that.

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Hey, just to say, this was changed, because I wanted Calleigh to have a happier send off, so I re-wrote the chapter and decided to add an extra chapter afterwards, WOOH!

Happy Reading! (: