The Boy in the Burning House by Tim Wynne-Jones

Author:Tim Wynne-Jones [Wynne-Jones, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, JUV000000
ISBN: 9780374408879
Publisher: Groundwood Books Ltd
Published: 2000-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

14

Ruth Rose turned on Iris, seething with rage. “See!” she said. But Jim grabbed her before his mother could respond and started hustling her out of the kitchen. They were on the stairs when he stopped.

“Your shoes!” he said in a horrified whisper and raced back to the kitchen. His mother met him at the doorway with the newspaper-stuffed sneakers and Ruth Rose’s jacket. He grabbed them and took off again just as he heard heavy footfalls on the porch.

Ruth Rose met him at the bottom of the staircase. He tried to push her up the stairs but she held her ground.

“I want to hear,” she whispered.

His mother was already opening the door to greet the pastor. There was nothing for it. The stairs of the old farmhouse creaked terribly. It was better to stay put.

Edging along the wall where the floor boards were quiet, they were able to slide behind the old couch. Jim was pretty certain his mother wouldn’t invite Father into the parlour. She was on her way to work. Besides, the room was a mid-week disaster area.

Jim dared to peek around the edge of the couch. Framed by the doorway to the kitchen stood the pastor holding both his mother’s hands in his, inclining his head towards her almost as if he were about to kiss her.

“Iris,” he said, “What a ghastly night. Hope this isn’t an inconvenience.”

“Oh, Father,” she said, her voice shaky. “It’s always good to see you, but I was, actually, just heading out the door to work.”

He stepped farther into the room, looking around, unbuttoning his coat as if he had every intention of staying. Iris stepped back but did not move from his path.

“Is something the matter?” he asked.

“No, it’s just that my shift starts soon.”

Father Fisher rested his hand on his chest, grasping the green stone cross that hung there. He bowed his head.

“How thoughtless of me,” he said. “I do apologize. It’s just that we — Nancy and I — we’re so worried about Ruth Rose.” He paused, took a deep breath. “I’m just not myself.”

Jim turned to see Ruth Rose, her teeth bared like a cornered animal, but not about to go down without a fight. Her mother had caved in. He was here to get her.

But before Iris could spill the beans, Fisher said, “She’s missing.”

There was a pause while Iris digested the fact that Nancy could not have told him about the phone call.

“Still missing?” she said. “How awful for you.”

Father Fisher looked at her. “So you had heard?”

Iris nodded. “The poor kid.” And then she made a valiant attempt to change the subject. “I thought you had Bible studies tonight?”

Father Fisher seemed to perk up. “Ahhh,” he said. “I’m going to take the fact that you know when the study session is as an indication that you might be considering rejoining us.”

“The truth is, Father,” said Iris in a hurry-up voice. “I can’t really think about anything right now except getting to work on time.”

“Of course,” he said, backing up.

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