42
‘Where’s Holly?’ I shriek.
‘Jeez, Kate, calm down. She’s here, but she doesn’t want to talk to you.’
‘What?’ I’m on my feet. ‘Put Holly on. Right now. Or I’m coming over to get her.’
‘Didn’t you hear what I just said? She doesn’t want to talk to you.’
‘Put Holly on or I’m calling the police!’ I shout.
‘Oh, all right. Holly? It’s Kate. She really wants to talk to you. Come on, sweetie. Be nice.’
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
Finally, Holly comes to the phone. ‘What do you want?’
‘What’s the matter with you? Why are you still over there?’
‘Because I feel like it.’
I blink. My heart is in my throat. ‘I’m coming to get you.’
‘Don’t do that. I’m staying at Teri’s house. She said I could stay the night.’
‘I don’t know what’s going on,’ I hiss into the phone, ‘and I don’t know if she’s listening, but I’m coming to get you.’
‘Sorry, Kate. But for your information, I’m sixteen years old, almost seventeen. I want to stay at Teri’s house tonight, and she said it was okay.’
‘That is out of the question! I’m coming to get you.’
‘Why? You don’t care about me. You were leaving, remember? You lie about everything, Kate.’
I gasp. ‘But we’ve been through this, Holly. What are you doing?’
‘I’m not doing anything.’
‘Holly!’
‘Why are you yelling?’ she says.
I take a breath. ‘I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m coming over right now.’
‘Yeah, okay. Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.’
And then she hangs up.
I stare at the phone. I can’t believe this is happening. I grab my keys, run to Teri’s house and pound on the door with my fists.
There’s no answer. I leave my finger on the doorbell. It’s one of those old-style doorbells that just keeps ringing. But the door remains as shut as a tomb.
I take a step back and look up. Everything looks quiet. I run down the side and peer over the gate into the garden, but there’s no one there.
‘Holly! Holly!’ Still no answer.
I ring the doorbell again. I bang on the door. No answer.
‘Holly! I’m calling the police!’ I shout through the letterbox.
