The train speed increased as she stared out the window. It had been two months since she had left, no-one had known where she was or even if she was alive. The police had been looking for her, Ric was worried and so was Tony. She had heard the millions of messages; she looked out onto the sea that was becoming bluer as they went along. Suddenly all the memories came flooding back.
-x-
"I can't do this anymore, I'll always love you" she whispered as she began to walk out of the bare, dark room.
"Mattie, please!" he cried, as she heard the ringing of the strong metal gates closing.
-x-
The note had been the hardest to write, the paper kept getting wet with the tears as she looked at the picture of her and her mum.
'Dear Tony' she wrote then sqribbled it out… and began chewing her pen. That would be inappropriate because she was writing to Luc, Jack, Ric and anyone else she had managed to hurt.
Slowly she wrote 'I'll call when I'm settled. Thank you for everything, all my love Mattie.' Simple and generalised, hopefully Tony will go to Ric.
-x-
She had never settled, so they never got that call.
-x-
Quietly she tip toed into Tony's room and propped it up against a photo of Tony, Mattie, Luc, Jack and Beth.
Her 'family', probably one of the most disfunctional families she had met. Her ex's dad was married to her mum, whose son was divorced from her boyfriend's cousin, all her brothers were over-sea's living the dream and her only sister was in the city with Kim and a baby. The list went on…..best friend leaving with abusive boyfriend, boyfriend in jail for something she knew he didn't do. Nothing worked in her life, she didn't have a life.
She exhaled silently, walking out she picked up her bag and looked around the room. It was filled with memories, many Christmases and birthdays. Jack's crutches, which really had to go back to the hospital, stood in the corner of the living room; Luc's I-pod was lying on the footon where he always left it, Rory's toys, Sam's make-up. Every little thing had its place, except her.
-x-
The cab pulled slowly up in front of the Surf Club, she paid the driver, fixed her now dark brown hair and stepped out the car, bringing her bag out with her.
As she made her way towards the door her palms became sweaty and shaky. She took a deep breath before grabbing the door handle.
-x-
"No word then?" Jack asked as he sat down exhausted on the couch beside Sam
"It's been 2 months Jack. I just want a phone call to say she's okay or…." Tony stopped
"Or not okay?"
"I know it's awful but at least we'll know where she is. Ric's distraught, Alf said when they go to see him he just sits there. He doesn't even want to appeal anymore, apparently there's nothing for him on the outside if she's not here." He sighed in frustration "There has to be some reason why she left."
Sam looked up from her magazine " Maybe she's pregnant" Tony and Jack looked at her strangely " Come on, a 17 year old girl who has just lost her mum finds out she's pregnant, her boyfriends is in jail for something he didn't do and she is terrified and alone. It happens."
"But she has us." Tony stated
"I don't know about you but I wouldn't fancy telling my step-dad that I was pregnant. She was probably scared you'd flip. Who would she most likely go to?"
"I thought Kit's but she hasn't seen her since her mum's funeral…." Jack stopped
"Dean!" Tony said as he jumped up and grabbed the phone from the bar. He fished out his phone and began dialling in the number. He turned round as the phone rang out, the answering machine answered.
"Hi Dean, its Tony Holden. Tilly's step-dad here. I was just wondering if you have seen Tilda in the past month or two. She went missing about two days after her Beth's funeral and no-one has seen her since. We only just though of you now and we're worried. If you could give me a call back that would be great. Thanks"
He hung up and looked up at the door.
-x-
He stared at her as though she had come back from the dead, while she stood shaking and tears running down her face. He dropped the phone and quickly walked up to her. Pulling her into a tight embrace, letting her sob on his shoulder, not wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry" she sobbed
"Shh…. Bubby. Your safe, that's all that matters." He kissed her on the head and looked at her, making her make eye contact with her. "I thought I lost you."
"Only for a while" she laughed tears still running down her face
"Come here" he said pulling her back into a hug "I'm not letting you go ever again. I love you so much" he whispered
-x-
