‘Are you sure? Because I could always work from here againtomorrow.’
‘No, no. You need to go into the office. We’ll be fine.Don’t worry.’
So I got up early next day and went into work, and I stayedin the office late, after everyone had gone home, working until after ten inorder to catch up. Exhausted, I phoned Rachel and we agreed I’d just crash atmine that night, so I wouldn’t disturb Poppy, who was already asleep in bed.
‘Have things been okay today?’ I asked her. ‘Is Poppy allright?’
‘Yes.’ She answered immediately, sounding quite chirpy. ‘Don’tworry about us. You just catch up on your work.’
‘I’ll come round tomorrow night, shall I? We could haveanother games night?’And make the most of not having to worry about Darrenfor a few more precious days...
‘Erm... yes, maybe.’
She sounded uncertain. ‘I mean, only if you want to.’
She sighed. ‘It’s just Poppy’s really exhausted. I thinkshe’s had too much excitement recently.’
‘She certainly has,’ I remarked drily. ‘I guess a few earlynights will sort her out?’
‘Absolutely. How about you come round on Friday after work?’
‘Sounds good. I’ll bring Twister again, shall I?’
‘Great. Okay, well... see you then.’
‘Tell Poppy I’m going to thrash her at Kerplunk on Friday!’
Her laugh sounded a little strained. She was no doubtexhausted herself – and worried about Darren being back in the country onSaturday. I was concerned myself, not knowing what would happen. We just neededto stick together, the three of us, and we’d be fine.
‘Kenzie?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you. For everything you’ve done for us. You’re thebest.’
‘Hey, that’s okay. You’d do the same for me.’
‘Of course I would.’
‘Right. So... see you on Friday night.’
*****
I made sure I finished work early on Friday and I stoppedoff at the supermarket on the way home and bought some goodies for our gamesnight. I’d packed an overnight bag, which was already stowed in the boot, so Icould drive straight to Rachel’s. We’d agreed that I’d stay at her house overthe weekend so that I’d be there with them if Darren happened to turn up attheir door.
When I arrived, Rachel’s car was in the garage so I parkedon her driveway, gathered my goodies and my bag, and rang the bell, expectingPoppy to come thundering along the hallway, excited to see me.
But the house was strangely silent.
Maybe they were out in the back garden?
After ringing again and getting no reply, I unlatched theside gate and walked through, calling cheerfully, ‘Poppy? I hope you’ve got theKerplunk all set up because as I told your mum, I’m going to beat you thistime!’
I rounded the corner and stopped.
The back garden was deserted. Where were they? Maybe they’dnipped to the shops to stock up on goodies, as I’d just done. In which case,they wouldn’t be long.
I was about to walk back to the car when something made mestop. Crossing the lawn, I peered in the conservatory, expecting to see theusual chaos caused by Poppy, with dolls and games scattered in the corner bythe toy box. But the floor was clear. The toy box had gone.
