Chapter 27

Mike burst through the door just after four thirty that afternoon, sensing that something was wrong before he was halfway across the kitchen. He poked his head into the lounge, noting that his parents were somber as their conversation ceased.

“Mike, do you know where your sister is?” asked Maurice

“Er, no. Isn’t she with Nikki?”

“Not at the moment. They’ve been gone since early morning” said his mother, Daniele.

“What’s today?” he asked.

“Sunday, August 30th” replied his father.

“I think today’s the day that Rebecca next door was going to have her church ceremony. Lauren and Nikki were going to be there as well.”

“What church ceremony?” asked Maurice, a slight look of relief flitting across his face.

“I can’t remember what the church was called. Seemed a bit whacky to me, a mixture of all sorts of religions”

“Mike, I want to ask you something. We think Lauren is in some sort of trouble, and may be hanging around with some nasty people. Do you know if she and Jim have been, you know.” asked his mother, looking down at her clenched hands.

“What?”

“You know, do you think that they have slept together?” His mother spat out the words like rancid milk.

“I don’t know, how should I?” replied Mike, looking out the window.

“Tell us the truth, Mike. This is very important.” she said, her voice quivering with emotion.

“Honest, I don’t know. I know she really likes him. He seems OK to me. What’s happened?”

“Nothing, we hope.” offered his father. “We had a phone call from someone who suggested that she might have done some bad things. I don’t want to say anymore, just that we want to talk to her this minute.”

“Perhaps they’ve gone to Jim’s place. Have you called next door?” asked Mike. Daniele looked at Maurice, silently commanding him.

His father nodded his head. “Yes, I’ll go and see if anyone’s home.” The back door slammed and Mike sat down in the vacant chair.

“Mike, you really need to tell us if you know anything. There would be more trouble if any of this was true and we found out from somewhere else. Now, do you know if she has slept with him?” asked his mother, sitting on the edge of the sofa.

“Mum, I don’t know. Really. She’s old enough, isn’t she?”

“No, she’s only fifteen!” cried his mother, staring in disbelief at her son’s question. “She’s only a child!”

“Why don’t we call Jim and ask him?”

“Oh, I couldn’t”. She stared straight at him, her eyes squinting. The look was enough to confirm that his mother did not believe him.

“I’ll do it. I’ll explain that we’re worried and see how he sounds. I don’t need to say anymore” said Mike, moving towards the phone.