Girl, Missing

Girl, Missing Read Free

Book: Girl, Missing Read Free
Author: Sophie McKenzie
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…
    Dad has a bit of a routine when he gets in from work. He doesn’t like anyone to speak to him while he changes and pours himself a drink. Then he and Mum have dinner before Dad falls asleep watching TV.
    They’re always nagging me to eat with them. Mostly it’s the last thing I want to do, but it shuts Mum up. And it massively annoys Rory, who has to go to bed before we eat.
    That night, Rory appeared in the doorway just as Mum was putting a big casserole dish down on the table.
    â€˜Mum, I’m still hungry,’ he whined.
    Dad rolled his eyes. He gets well narked with Rory’s attention-seeking ways. I could see him building up to saying something. (He doesn’t exactly operate at the speed of light, my dad.)
    But Mum – so strict when it comes to
my
bedtimes – had already taken Rory’s side.
    â€˜I can’t let him go to sleep hungry, Dave.’
    And before Dad could say anything, she’d grabbed the fruit bowl and was shushing Rory out the door.
    Dad stared at the casserole dish as if he was hoping the stew inside would somehow leap out onto his plate.
    â€˜She spoils that boy,’ he muttered under his breath.
    I grinned to myself. Dad’s the supreme master of the blindingly obvious comment. He’s an accountant – good with Maths homework but a bit slow when it comes to words.
    Which is what made his next sentence so jaw-droppingly, outstandingly incredible.
    â€˜Mum tells me you were asking about your … about when you were little,’ he said.
    I nearly choked on the slice of bread and butter I’d been stuffing into my mouth.
    â€˜Well?’ Dad had his serious face on. Not an easy one for him to pull off as he’s short and bald with round, pink cheeks.
    I could feel the heat creeping up round my neck. I looked away and nodded.
    Dad cleared his throat. ‘I think …’ he said. Long pause.
    Come on, Dad. Before we both die of old age. Please
.
    â€˜I think … that if you’re old enough to ask—’
    At that moment Mum reappeared. She took one look at my red face and I knew she knew what was going on.
    â€˜Old enough to ask what?’ she said.
    Dad mumbled something totally incoherent. Mum put her hands on her hips.
    â€˜I thought we agreed, Dave?’ she said in a threatening voice.
    The atmosphere in the room stretched out tight, like a Croydon facelift.
    I pushed back my chair and stood up, my hands balled at my sides. If she was going to stop Dad from talking to me, she could forget about me eating her stupid stew.
    â€˜Sit down, Lauren,’ Mum snapped.
    Anger surged up from my stomach. ‘No,’ I shouted. ‘Who put you in charge? Why d’you always, always think you know what’s best for everyone else?’
    Mum’s face clenched up.
    â€˜Sit down and eat. Now.’
    Tears of rage and frustration welled in my eyes. How dare she order me about like that – like a little kid. ‘I won’t sit down,’ I shouted. ‘You can’t tell me what to do. You’re not even my real mother.’
    I ran out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind me. Tears streamed down my face as I raced through the hall, heading for the stairs and the small privacy of my own room.
    Rory was sitting on the top step, munching on an apple.
    â€˜Why’s everyone shouting?’ he said.
    I stopped just below him and took a deep breath. My hands shook as I wiped my face. ‘Get out of my way,’ I muttered.
    â€˜Wanna see a Martian train wreck?’ Rory opened his mouth and stuck out a tongue full of pale-green mush.
    I closed my eyes. What had I done to deserve such an uncool family? I bet Martha Lauren Purditt’s family weren’t like this. I could just imagine them: understanding, glamorous mother; sensitive, fun-loving father; and not a brother or sister in sight.
    The sound of Mum and Dad’s angry voices drifted towards the stairs.
    Rory shuffled

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