The Missing Children

by M A Comley

  ~ ~ ~

  It had been a very busy week, and Kayli had neglected Mark the past few days, but on Saturday, they spent a leisurely morning in bed together. Giles had been dropping hints for days that he would have good news to share with Mark at the family barbeque.

  Kayli slapped him on the backside. “Come on, you, we better get moving. You know how Mum hates anyone being late. I promised to help with preparing the salads.”

  Mark groaned and rolled over again while she jumped in the shower.

  An hour later, they arrived at her parents’ detached house on the edge of town. It was a beautiful September day; no hint of a cloud to spoil their enjoyment. Giles was already there with Annabelle and their two-year-old son, Bobby. Mark made a beeline for Giles, hoping to hear some news, but Giles shoved a can of beer in his hand and told him to be patient.

  Sensing Mark’s frustration, Kayli was keen to get away from him. She walked into the house and found her mum and dad in the kitchen. Her mum, as usual, was tearing around as if possessed, shouting orders at her father, who seemed torn in which direction to go first.

  “Mum, calm down. Tell Dad clearly what you need him to do, then give me a job.”

  Moira Bright stood still and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. I just want this day to be a success. It’s not often I get to have my whole family around me.”

  Kayli hugged her. “We neglect you, and I’m sorry. Life gets in the way a lot, too much really. It doesn’t mean that we don’t think about you.”

  “I know, dear. All right, less panic and more action. Can you make the Jamie Oliver dressing for the salad? His book is on the counter next to all the ingredients. All you have to do is mix them all together.”

  “No problem.”

  “Ron, you need to take the meat out to the barbeque area. You can start cooking it now that everyone is here.”

  “Yeah, you do that, Dad. I’ll help Mum prepare the rest of the food and start ferrying it out when it’s ready.”

  Within an hour and a half, they had prepared, cooked, and were working their way through the mountain of food her parents had laid on and getting merry on the alcohol Giles was plying them with.

  She grabbed her brother’s arm as he passed on his way to obtain more supplies from the house. “When are you going to put Mark out of his misery? You’re not being very fair, love.”

  “Soon. Let me top up everyone’s glasses, and then I’ll announce it.”

  Kayli pecked her brother on the cheek. “Thanks for everything you’ve done, Giles.”

  “I’ll do anything for you, sis. You know that.”

  Kayli moved closer to Mark, who was playing with Bobby on the lawn. For some reason, her stomach was tying itself in knots.

  Giles emerged with a couple of bottles of champagne and a tray of clean glasses. “Gather around, folks. Let me pour the plonk, and I’ll share the good news I have.”

  Mark rushed to Giles’s side, and as he poured the champagne, Mark handed around the glasses.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to raise a glass to help me celebrate Mark getting his new role as head of security.”

  Mark and Kayli stared at each other.

  Giles laughed. “Well, give your man a kiss, sis. This job is huge.”

  “Security? Where? What company?”

  “Ahh... that’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. Mark, I hope your passport is up-to-date.”

  “What? It’s abroad?” Kayli screeched.

  Mark nodded. “I renewed it last year. Where is the job based, Giles?”

  “It’s based here in the UK, but our first job—yes, I’ll be going with you—is in Afghanistan.”

  Everyone fell silent, their gazes flitting around the group. Kayli looked at Annabelle and tilted her head as if to ask, “Did you know about this?”

  Annabelle shook her head, slammed her glass on the table, lifted her son in her arms, and stormed into the house. Giles watched her go, his mouth hanging open.

  “You can be so dumb at times, Giles. Why didn’t you run this past us before making the grand announcement?”

  “Hey, come on, sis. This is a fabulous opportunity, and the money is huge.”

  “As well as the risk of being killed, no doubt.”

  “Mark? How do you feel about it, mate?” Giles slapped Mark on the back.

  Kayli turned her head sharply, eager to hear his response.

  He shrugged and grinned. “The money side of things sounds good.”

  “Are you kidding me? What about the risks?”

  “That was never a concern to you when I was in the army, love. I can’t see what the issue is.”

  After that she decided to keep quiet, not keen on making a fuss in front of her parents. If Mark accepted the post, she was unsure whether their relationship could, or should, continue. Giles, in trying to do something good in his life, had possibly destroyed all their lives in the process.

  THE END

  Thank you for reading THE MISSING CHILDREN; I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I loved writing it.

  If you liked it, please consider posting a short review as genuine feedback is what makes all the lonely hours writers spend producing their work worthwhile.

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