Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( PT 11 )

Picture is by pixabay free images.

 

 

 

Part Eleven

 

 

 

By 7.30am everyone in the foster house was up and the noisy chaos was in full swing fighting for the bathroom, or creating havoc in the kitchen trying to get their bowl of cereal first.

 

Nobody noticed that Mina was missing, it was as if she'd never been there and didn't exist, except for the fact the back door was unlocked when Rose came down to take some rubbish out.

 

“Peter!” she yelled with hands on hips, tapping toes as if playing out a fast beat. Nobody ever called him Peter but his mum, and that was only when she was annoyed with him. Right now Rose was irritated pursing lips, her body in a tight grip. Pete was always last to bed, it was his job to make sure all the doors were locked.

 

There was still no answer as she called out again, which had Rose grinding her teeth in frustration. Pete was sitting on the settee in the front room with Sammy, Jason and Charlie, they were eating bowls of cereals while watching early morning cartoons on the television.

 

Rose marched out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Pete! I called, didn't you hear me?” By now Rose was exasperated, her white Winnie the poo bear dressing gown that didn't fit properly because she'd put on a bit of weight, opened to reveal blue pajamas. Rose had always been a fan of the bear even as she became an adult, loving to sit down and watch his adventures with the children.

 

The three of them looked around at the same time. “Sorry love, we were well engrossed in this cartoon. What's up?” Pete carried on laughing at the television, his hair ruffled where he'd not combed it yet, still wearing his blue pajamas too. This all made Rose even more ruffled.

 

“You never locked the back door before coming to bed last night, anyone could have walked straight in...what if we'd been burgled, or or even worse murdered in our beds?” Rose's mind was whirling with nightmare scenarios that had her reeling with anger.

 

Pete knew he'd locked the back door, it was always the last thing he checked at night. “Hang on a minute love.”

 

Before he could say another word, Rose's seething voice echoed in his ears. “Don't love me, you, you always have the last word.” She went to walk away, but Pete was too quick for her.

 

“Here take this bowl Jason. “Pete almost threw the bowl in Jason's lap, as the boy caught it before milk ended up on the floor.

 

Pete managed to grab hold of Rose's arm in the hallway and pulled her close. “Look love, I definitely locked that door last night, I'm one hundred per cent sure of it.”

 

“Then how come it was unlocked when I tried it this morning?” She insisted looking Pete straight in the eyes.

 

Before he could answer, Sammy walked into the hallway and stood by the open door with hands behind her back looking guilty. “I think maybe it was Mina, she got up really early this morning and came downstairs.”

 

Pete's face was a picture of satisfaction at discovering he wasn't to blame, but Rose however had a puzzled expression on hers. Forgetting about the unlocked back door, she turned to Sammy. “I completely forgot about Mina. Can you go and wake her.”

 

Sammy started to play with her hair curling strands around her finger, casually addressing the situation. “I haven't seen her since she got up, her coat and backpack are gone too” There was a pause. “Sorry, I thought you knew.”

 

Rose shook Pete's hands off her and pushed passed Sammy. Entering the living room with Pete in pursuit. Rose did her usual thing of standing hands on hips. “Jason, do you know where Mina is?” She stood waiting for a reply, forced lines wrinkled across her forehead.

 

Jason was pleased the witch wasn't around, he thought maybe things would get back to the way they were, with a bit of luck she'd found somewhere else to live. “Nope, I've not seen her.”

 

Without another word Rose turned and walked back into the kitchen. “Jordan have you seen Mina this morning?” The anger had left and she was now panicking.

 

Jordan sat feeding Lucy, she had porridge all round her mouth, with cheeks red from where she had been teething. As Jordan put the spoon down, Lucy picked it up and was about to hit Jordan on the arm with it, but luckily the boy was quick and grabbed the spoon from her.

 

Jordan shrugged his shoulders and nodded that he hadn't seen the girl. The whole house hadn't heard from Mina since her arrival last night, apart from Sammy who was bewildered at where she'd gone.

 

“We must inform the police,” insisted an anxious Rose, really concerned.” She went to pick up the receiver and started to tap in the numbers, Pete stopped her. “Let's wait, she might have just popped out.” he urged.

 

“What the hell would she be popping out for?” Panicked Rose. “She doesn't even know the area and she's only ten.”

 

Hearing the commotion, Jason quickly downed the last of his cereal and sauntered into the kitchen. Nobody noticed him as he marched out and ran up the stairs to his bedroom fighting back a smirk just in case someone should spot his actions.

 

Slamming the door behind him, Jason stepped over clothes that were strewn across the floor which he was completely oblivious too, it was only when Rose came in and told him to clear up that he took the trouble to tidy, but it hadn't taken long to get in a shambles again.

 

Pulling out his broken drawer, Jason took out some clean pants and socks and began to dress in his uniform. Today he couldn't wait to get to school and let his mates know all about the Mina episode and how she'd disappeared.

 

To be continued...