The Sisterhood by A. J. Grainger

Author:A. J. Grainger [Grainger, A. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 148142906X
Amazon: B075RT7WTS
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2019-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

• • •

Lil went outside to make the call because the signal was stronger. It was still raining, and the low-slung clouds turned everything a murky gray. The trees around the parking lot threw long shadows, concealing anything that stood among them. Remembering that pale, ghostly figure in the yard, Lil shivered and stayed close to the door of the hall. But surely, no one could have followed them here. If there had even been someone at the house.

She dialed her mum’s number, thinking about what Sabrina had said about not mentioning Mella. That would be hard, but Lil knew it was right. She didn’t want her mum to worry.

Her mum answered after one ring. “Sabrina! Have you found her? Is she okay?”

“She’s okay,” Lil said.

“Oh, Lili! I’ve been so worried. I couldn’t get through to you—”

“I know, Mum. My phone got smashed.” She had no intention of telling her mum anything else that had happened. Sabrina was right; it would only send her into a panic.

“When? How? Were you in an accident? Are you all right?” Her mum’s voice rose several octaves. In her mind Lil saw her mum’s hand tightening around the handset.

“I fell off my bike, but no permanent damage. How are you?”

“Better now I’ve spoken to you. I didn’t sleep last night.”

“But Sabrina told you I was okay?”

“I was still worried. I wanted to drive right back, but Sandi and Sabrina said I should wait. That the roads weren’t safe.”

“You did the right thing staying there.”

“Are you sure? I think I should head back now, but I’m so tired.”

“Then stay. Get some sleep. Drive later. The roads might be clearer then.”

“Do you think so? I guess you’re probably right. You’re so clever and sensible, Lils. Sandi suggested that too, but I feel better hearing it from you. You always know best. I don’t know what I’d do without you. If anything happened to you . . .” Her voice broke.

“Nothing is going to happen to me, Mum. All’s good here. Now rest up a bit. That’s an order!”

Her mum laughed. “Okay, Mouse.”

The sound of Mella’s nickname made Lil’s throat dry.

“You’ll stay with Sabrina?” her mum asked.

“Like a shadow.” Lil paused and then asked, “Has Dad called?” She tried for lightness, but the question rang heavy anyway.

There was a pause. “I doubt news of the storms has hit Australia yet. They are, what, seven hours ahead in Sydney?”

“Nine.” You shouldn’t have to wait for the international news to inform you about your daughter.

Their dad had done very little when Mella ran away. Lil had stood on the landing and overheard her mum talking to him the week after Mella went missing, when they’d finally managed to pin him down. He’d been rehearsing with the orchestra in some remote backwater in Australia, or that’s what Lil gathered from her mum’s side of the conversation.

“I’m not being hysterical. Gareth, please . . .” Her mum’s voice broke. “I don’t know what to do. I’m so worried about her. She could be anywhere.

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