by Pryke, Helen
‘I know, Mum,’ she said. ‘Now go, or we’ll be late.’
* * *
Charlotte’s friends clustered around her in the playground, cooing over her arm. Some had come prepared, and had already written touching messages with hearts dotted around them.
They chattered excitedly, filling her in on all the school gossip she’d missed over the last couple of weeks. They giggled over the boys they fancied, the class clowns who wound up the teachers at every chance, and the daredevil kids who didn’t care less if they were sent to the headmistress’s office. The cute new substitute teacher was the talk of the class, the girls pretending to swoon as they spoke about him.
‘Mr Bourne is so cute, wait till you see him around. Pity he doesn’t teach our class.’ Rosie, Charlotte’s best friend, pouted, making them all laugh.
‘Poor devil had a lucky escape.’ Charlotte gave her a nudge. ‘I can just imagine you fluttering your eyelashes at him, putting him off.’
As the bell rang for the first lesson, Rosie took her aside and spoke in hushed tones. ‘Did you hear about that Jane girl? The one from Year Eight?’
Charlotte nodded. ‘They still haven’t found her, have they?’ she asked, pushing her way through the throng of students entering the building.
‘No. Apparently, they’re questioning the kids in her class. They say she was being bullied by everyone, even the teachers.’
‘Do you think it was…?’ Charlotte couldn’t bring herself to say the word suicide, but she knew it was what everyone would be thinking. The school had done a big project the term before on bullying, making students aware of the harm that could be done.
Rosie shrugged. ‘There are so many rumours flying around at the moment, who knows! I wouldn’t like to be one of those who were bullying her, though. They’re really in the shit right now.’
The chatter died down as they filed into the classroom, Mrs Yates waiting patiently at her desk. Charlotte remained thoughtful as the lesson began, unable to stop thinking about Jane.
* * *
By the end of the day, Charlotte’s plaster was covered in scrawled messages and drawings from her friends. She’d regaled them with the story of her spectacular fall down the steep gravel slope, and shown them photos of the enormous, bloodstained bandage on her knee. Being a minor celebrity soon became boring, though, and she was glad when it was time to go home.
Her mum was waiting outside the school gates to pick her up, her brow furrowed as she scanned the crowd of students anxiously. Charlotte waved, and saw her mum relax.
‘How was school today?’ she asked as they got in the car.
‘It was great being back, everyone missed me,’ Charlotte replied. ‘Look.’ She proudly showed off her plaster.
‘That’s great, I’ll read it when we get home.’ Her mum was distracted, her eyes still searching the crowd. ‘There’s your brother, thank goodness.’ The car shook as Mike threw himself in the back.
‘This is humiliating, you coming to pick us up,’ he grumbled, poking his tongue out at his friends as they passed, jeering loudly and shoving each other. ‘We’re not babies.’
‘Sorry, Mikey, but I’m not letting you walk home alone until I can be sure you’re safe.’
Charlotte smirked as her brother flung himself backwards and glared angrily out of the side window. She was quite happy not to have to walk home for the time being.
* * *
Luna bounded towards them as they fell through the front door and dumped their schoolbags on the floor. Charlotte threw her arms around the red setter as if she hadn’t seen her for a week.
‘Can I take her out, Mum? Please.’ She hadn’t been allowed outside since her accident, and was fed up of staying indoors all the time.
‘I don’t think so, Charlotte,’ her mum replied. ‘Not with everything that’s going on.’
‘We don’t even know if she was abducted,’ Charlotte objected. ‘Rosie said she was being bullied, that maybe she ran away.’
‘But until we know for sure, it’s not safe out there.’
‘She’ll have Luna with her,’ Mike said. ‘Luna won’t let anything happen to her.’
Charlotte looked at the dog, with its tongue hanging out of the side of its mouth in a goofy grin, and wasn’t so sure. But she kept quiet and waited, hoping.
Her mum hesitated, then sighed. ‘Okay. But only as far as the park, and you keep her on the lead. And I want you home in half an hour.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’ Charlotte rushed upstairs to get changed, then ran back down and grabbed Luna’s lead.
The dog jumped around in excitement. ‘Hold still,’ Charlotte complained, trying to click the lead onto her collar. ‘Okay, we’re ready.’
‘Only half an hour, remember,’ her mum called from the kitchen.
‘Of course,’ Charlotte shouted back, and went out the front door.
The street was quiet as she walked along the pavement shaded by the beech trees, past the neighbours’ houses, until she got to the park. Now that the school run was over, there were few people around. Most of her friends rushed home to play on their computers before tea, then hurriedly did their homework before their favourite TV programmes came on. After two weeks at home doing nothing but play and watch TV, she was relieved to be outside at last.
The park was empty when she got there, so she unclipped Luna’s lead. ‘Don’t tell Mum,’ she whispered and watched as the dog ran off, her ears flopping about. She slowly followed, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.
‘Hey, Charlotte!’
She jumped, then blushed as she saw Ben Whitely striding towards her. Every girl in her year was madly in love with him, including her, but he had never graced her with even a glance. Until now.
‘Oh, er, hi,’ she replied, feeling the heat rising from her cheeks. She desperately wished the ground would swallow her up.
‘I thought it was you,’ he said, flashing his easy smile. ‘I wanted to ask you something.’
Images of them in a close embrace during the slow dance at the end-of-year disco entered her mind, making her blush even more. Was he going to ask her to go with him? ‘Sure, go ahead.’
He coughed. ‘Well, you see, I was thinking of asking Rosie to the school disco, and seeing as you’re friends with her, I was wondering if you think she’d say yes.’
Disappointment flooded through her, and she turned her head before he could see her face. ‘I would think so,’ she managed to say, feeling tears pricking at her eyes.
Before she could add anything else, Luna came charging up to them and flung herself at Ben. He staggered backwards, warding off her slobbery tongue, and Charlotte saw with horror that his immaculate jeans were covered in muddy paw prints.
‘Oh, God, I’m so sorry,’ she cried. ‘Luna, down. Bad dog!’ She grabbed the dog’s collar and pulled her off Ben, who was frantically wiping at his face. She managed to slip the lead back on, then saw Ben’s furious expression.
‘Bloody hell, Charlotte, look at the state of my jeans!’
‘I-I said sorry,’ she stammered, distraught.
‘Never mind. Forget it.’ He stormed off across the park, leaving her standing there, twisting the lead in her hands.
She set off home, miserable at the thought of telling Rosie what had happened. Her friend would never forgive her. Luna walked beside her, tail between her legs, as if she understood she’d done something wrong.
* * *
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the white car parked along the avenue, the driver’s arm hanging out of the window as he watched her approach.
7
I almost had her. I watched as she spoke to that spotty boy from school, brushing her long, silky hair back from her face and smiling so sweetly at him. I wanted to kill him. I almost did. But then the dog did my work for me, and drove him away.
She was almost level with my car when an old woman stopped her for a chat. On and on, she wouldn’t stop. My dear, sweet Charlotte, always so
kind to others, she stayed there talking, even though it was obvious she wanted to get away. If only she had, she would be safe with Jane by now.
I long for the day when we can be together again, a family once more, with brand-new sisters to replace the old. Mother tells me the time isn’t right yet, but it will be soon. Then they’ll both be back where they belong. With me.
8
The Southern Recorder
10 June 2015
Police are still searching for 13-year-old Jane Simmons who went missing one week ago. They are said to be ‘extremely worried’ about the teenager’s safety. Her parents released a statement yesterday:
‘We want Jane back. If you’ve run away, please come home. We’re not angry. If someone has abducted her, we only ask that you give her back to us. We don’t care who you are, just bring her home. Drop her off at the nearest police station, or hospital, or even someone’s doorstep. Our other daughter, Chloe, asks every day when her older sister is coming home, and it breaks our hearts to say we don’t know.’
The police are investigating reports that Jane was being bullied at school and haven’t ruled out the possibility that she has run away.
The driver of the blue Mercedes has come forward and been ruled out of the investigation.
If you have any information that could help, please contact the police.
The front door slammed open, making Jane jump. She hadn’t heard the car, and the clock on the wall showed it was too early for him to be back. She put down the book she was reading and concentrated on the noises coming from upstairs. Heavy feet paced above her head, and something fell with a crash to the floor. Her heart thumping, she desperately wished there was a cupboard or somewhere she could hide. She silently thanked him for locking her in down here, perhaps whoever it was wouldn’t bother with the cellar.
The feet pounded down the stairs, a voice cursing as whoever it was bumped into the wall. Jane cowered on the mattress, hardly daring to breathe. There was silence, and then the doorknob turned. Another curse, and then the sound of the key turning in the lock.
‘Oh! It’s you!’ Jane exclaimed as he burst into the room, glancing around with wild eyes. His dishevelled hair stood up on end, and Jane started giggling. Her giggles soon turned into cries of pain as he grabbed her arm and pulled her up.
‘Ow! What are you doing?’ she cried as he leaned over her.
‘The bitch! I almost had her,’ he muttered, grasping so tightly it hurt.
‘Who? What?’ Jane had no idea what he was on about.
‘Charlie, my dear, sweet Charlie.’ He shook her, making her head wobble painfully. ‘She was there, walking her dog… I was going to go and get her, bring her back here, but then that old witch…’ He curled his fist into a ball and for a moment, Jane thought he was going to hit her again. ‘First some kid starts talking to her in the park, then an old witch stops her on the street and starts chatting to her. On and on, and I have to go, otherwise they might ask what I’m doing, and what would I say? “Sorry, I’m just waiting for that old cow to piss off so I can take Charlie home”.’
Jane had no idea what he was on about, but she didn’t dare say anything that would upset him even more. By now, she knew what those fists could do.
‘I just want you both here, with me,’ he moaned, pulling her close to him. Her face was pressed against his chest, and she could hear his heart beating in her ear. ‘Jane and Charlie, my two girls, back with me. Then we can be a happy family again, like before.’
‘Charlie?’
He shoved her away from him, sending her flying backwards. She hit the wall and sank to the floor.
‘I need both of you!’ he screamed, spittle collecting at the corners of his mouth. ‘Then we can leave this dump, go someplace better, just like I promised. Now I’ve got to start again, make sure I get it right this time.’ He stared at her. ‘You. You can do it. She’ll trust you, and no one will notice anything. Yes, that could work.’ He held out his hand to help her stand up, his gaze distant.
‘Do what?’
‘Help bring Charlie home. You’ll come with me next time, persuade her to get in the car with us.’
Jane was confused. Who the hell was Charlie? Why did he want to bring her here? ‘No!’ she said firmly. She didn’t want another girl here. What if he liked her more? What if she was like Chloe? But maybe, if there were two of them, they could help each other escape, get away from him, the cellar, and the bad things that happened there. Doubt assailed her, desperation vying with twinges of jealousy, her desire for being at the centre of attention at odds with her need for someone, anyone, to share this with. Deep in thought, she suddenly realised he was frowning at her. She watched in horror as he started unbuckling his belt, his lips pressed together, and tried to back up against the wall.
‘Please don’t,’ she moaned. Her body still stung from the last time he’d hit her with it, the cuts from the buckle had barely healed.
‘You still need to learn, Jane,’ he said, removing the belt from his trousers. He wrapped it around his hand, this time the buckle in his palm, she noticed with relief, and did a couple of practise swings. Then she cried out in pain as the leather slapped against her shoulders, her back, her butt, over and over again.
When he stopped, her back stung like hell. She knew it would be bright red under her clothes, as if she had sunburn.
‘You’ll come with me, then?’ he asked amiably, as if they’d been chatting all along. Jane didn’t say anything, she was just glad he wasn’t upset anymore. She hesitantly touched his arm, afraid he would start yelling again. He turned and smiled at her, his features softer now. She nodded, afraid to make him angry once more.
‘Good girl,’ he murmured, caressing her hair. ‘You were always my good little girl, always my favourite.’
This time he didn’t give her the pill, and this time she cried long into the night.
9
The Southern Recorder
19 June 2015
Another girl has gone missing. Fourteen-year-old Charlotte Hodgson didn’t return home after school yesterday afternoon. Police are now treating both her case and that of Jane Simmons as an abduction, and ask if anyone has any information to contact them right away. Charlotte is 5’4” tall, has long blonde hair, blue eyes, and was wearing her school uniform when last seen. Parents are urged to know their children’s whereabouts at all times, and to tell them to walk to and from school in large groups.
Rosie was understanding about her disastrous meeting with Ben. Charlotte felt like crying, but Rosie burst out laughing when she got to the bit about Luna jumping all over him.
‘God, Charlotte, I wish I’d been there! He must have looked a right sight.’
‘But he was going to ask you to the disco,’ she blurted out.
‘Who cares about that?’ Rosie said airily. ‘To tell the truth, I think he’s a bit of a prat. Now Liam… if it had been him, I’d have been upset.’
‘Liam?’ Charlotte made a face.
Rosie slapped her shoulder. ‘Yes, Liam. He’s cute, with all those freckles.’
‘Thank God you’re not upset with me.’ Charlotte scratched at the plaster cast on her arm, the warm weather made it itch.
‘Oh, Charlie, who could get upset with you?’
‘Ugh, don’t call me Charlie, you know I hate it.’
‘Of course. That’s why I do it! And leave your arm alone, you’ll scratch through the plaster if you’re not careful.’
The two of them made their way down the corridor to their classroom, laughing as they chatted.
* * *
The day wasn’t as bad as she’d feared it would be. Ben chose to ignore her, while his mates nudged each other and kept smiling at her.
‘They’re so childish.’ Rosie sighed dramatically and swept her hair off her face. Charlotte laughed.
‘Whereas Liam is so mature,’ she whispered, gesturing to where the boy sat, chewing on the end of his pencil.
‘At least he�
��s not friends with Ben,’ Rosie replied.
‘Rosie, Charlotte, could you please pay attention to me and not chat among yourselves?’ Mrs Harris frowned at them.
‘Sorry, miss,’ they said together. Ben turned round and smirked. Rosie stuck her tongue out at him, then faced forward and fixed her gaze on their teacher. Charlotte giggled and copied her.
At lunchtime they met up with the usual group of girls and went to sit behind the science block. Charlotte munched on her cheese sandwiches, listening to their chatter. The only thing they talked about nowadays was the school disco, and she was getting fed up with it.
It was even worse when they started gossiping about the missing girl, Jane. Charlotte hadn’t known her, but those who did said she was always sulky and hard to get along with. No one seemed to like her, and some even said she deserved whatever had happened to her.
The headmistress had spoken about it during the school assembly, trying to suppress any rumours and alleviate any fears they might have. But all it did was keep it fresh in their minds and make them talk about it even more.
‘Hey.’ Rosie sat next to her and offered her a crisp.
‘No, thanks.’ Charlotte leaned her head back against the wall and tried to shut out the sound of the conversation around her.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Listen to them. Why do they think they have the right to judge? That poor girl might be tied up somewhere, with someone who beats her every day, or even…’ Her voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Rapes her. Or she might be dead. And they’re saying she brought it on herself, and whatever’s happened to her is karma. It makes me sick!’
Rosie looked shocked. ‘I didn’t know you felt so strongly about it.’ She put her arm around Charlotte’s shoulder and hugged her. ‘They’re just trying to make sense of it, like we are, only they’re bitches and we’re not.’
