Scarlett's Secret by Casey Watson

Author:Casey Watson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2013-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

I had never been so grateful to return to the bosom of my family than I was that afternoon. After the high of the week’s adventures, the thrill of doing a job I so enjoyed doing, the pleasure in seeing this raggle-taggle bunch of largely disaffected kids blossoming, what Scarlett had told me had made it feel like someone had stomped up and ripped the sun out of the sky. I wasn’t naïve; I knew such families, such horrors, such evil characters existed, but at the same time the thought of walking a mile in Scarlett or Jade’s shoes filled me with so many emotions – anger, disgust, compassion, hopelessness, and more anger. Too much emotion to take home to my none-the-wiser husband and children, who were looking forward to their usual smiley wife and mum. So I sat for a good while before heading home to them, just so I could regain some of my earlier joie de vivre.

And I was glad I did, because a bit of joie de vivre was clearly needed. ‘It’s been the week from hell,’ Mike announced dramatically, once Kieron was out of earshot. He was so pleased to have me home that he talked with his feet – trotted immediately back to his bedroom, the world now being back on its proper axis.

I resisted the urge to make comparisons; after all, Kieron’s immediate disappearance was evidence of his relief. I was back, so now life could go on as it was supposed to. Mum downstairs doing Mum things, Dad at work as per usual, big sister Riley, being big sisterish (i.e. mostly annoying him), leaving him to do what he liked to. Alone. Back on track.

‘It really has,’ said Mike. ‘The food issue, the “staying in” issue, the “Where are you going, Dad?” issue. Let me tell you, if I have to so much as glance at the trailer for any movie with the words “fantasy” or “dragons” or “Superman” in it, I think my head might explode.’

‘How did the food thing go?’ I ventured, remembering how alarmingly quickly Kieron went off eating the last time I’d been away. ‘And what do you mean, “staying in” issue? You didn’t make him stay in all week, did you?’

Mike pulled a face. ‘I meant as in I couldn’t get him to go out! Here was me, thinking he’d be off with his friends playing football after school every night, but no chance. No, love, I think we have to accept that if you’re not around, everything is definitely not right in Kieron’s world.’

‘Oh, bless him,’ I said. I suddenly felt tearful. So much so that it must have shown on my face, because Mike put his arms around me and gave me a reassuring squeeze.

‘We all feel a bit like that when you’re not here, love,’ he said, chuckling. ‘I say it’s Kieron, but it’s mostly just a ruse to keep you here …’

‘What, even Riley?’ I joked. Mike could always make me feel better.

‘Riley?

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