Chapter 21

"What's going on? Why has Lindsey sent us up here, we're not babies for god sake" Jason said sounding extremely annoyed. Something had gone dreadfully wrong and Annalease and Jason were being left in the dark about what had happened. "I don't know Jase, maybe something needs sorting out and with us there we would only be hindering" she added trying to take put on a brave face, deep down she was annoyed that she had been sent out of the situation but she was also relieved that she was having a break from it all. "I just want to know what's going on, I hate being left out of everything all the time. It's as if they think I'm stupid or something" Jason said with tears filling his eyes.

"I know you do, so do I but sometimes the truth is better left unsaid for awhile you know, nobody thinks you're stupid. You're the cleverest one out of us all actually, they are trying to protect us from all of this that's all" Annalease soothed, gently pulling him into a hug.

Jason was about to answer when Lindsey joined them in Annalease's room, she walked over to them both and sat beside them. Lindsey looked incredibly upset and was doing her best to hide the tears which were filling her eyes. Not a word was said from Jason or Annalease they just looked at each other with worry in their eyes really not knowing what on earth to do or say. "I'm afraid there's been a terrible accent, involving Freddie and your mum" Lindsey announced. Panic began to sear through Annalease's body, what was she going to hear next she thought. "Wha what do you mean a terrible accident" she stuttered. Jason was silent, all of the colour had drained from his face.

"I'm really sorry, but your mum didn't make it" Lindsey said, she had said this to so many people before but this time she was hurting just as much as the two hearing the news.

"You're not serious?" Annalease said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"She sacrificed herself for you all, Trevor threatened to come for you. There was a single gunshot the impact killing her instantly. I'm so so sorry" Lindsey announced, tears now pouring out of her eyes.

Annalease got up and left the room wanting to be alone, still not believing what she had heard. Thoughts of wanting revenge were spiralling in her mind. Anger was pumping in her blood, she couldn't shed a tear as the angst inside of her wouldn't let her. She ran out of the house running into the village not caring who she knocked into in the process, she looked back once and saw that she had knocked a woman over. Guilt overtook her but she quickly carried on running until she got to the garage, she got the key out of her pocket and slowly opened the back door. Once inside she sat at the desk and cried, she never got the chance to say goodbye to Sandy and she would never get the chance to speak to her again. She was hurting badly it was as if someone had ripped her heart out and stamped on it, she had never felt an emotional pain as crippling as the one she was experiencing now. Annalease stayed where she was for at least 3 hours, it was getting pretty late but she didn't care. She just wanted to be alone, just her and her thoughts.

Her phone kept ringing but she ignored it, she realised that the others must have noticed she was missing but at that moment she didn't care. Annalease blamed herself for Sandy's death, if she would have told somebody sooner about what Fraser had her doing then this whole mess could have been prevented. To the left of her was a picture of her and Sandy, the two of them enjoying a day out away from the boys. She remembered it was the summer of 2005, Joe and Freddie treated Robbie, Ziggy and Jason to a day at the football whereas Sandy and Annalease had gone on a girls shopping day, Lindsey came too and she took the picture which she was currently looking at. She realised that she would never be able to share a day with Sandy like that again, she had beautiful memories of her.

As the hours past Annalease stayed in the same position, sat at the desk deep in thought. Her phone continued to ring and ring and vibrate several times signalling a text message, it suddenly began to get too much for her. She picked it up and threw it against the garage shutters watching it crack and break into small pieces, instantly regretting it she again burst into tears. Annalease's life was a mess, she didn't think there was an escape for all of this upset. Finally wanting to head home she looked at her watch and saw that it was 8pm and getting pretty dark outside, she figured it would be a good idea to let someone know she was on her way back. Using the garage phone she phoned Lindsey's mobile:

Lindsey: Oh thank god! Annalease where are you? We've been worried out of our minds.

Annalease: I've been at the garage, I needed some space. My mind's all over the place Linds.

Lindsey: Why didn't you answer any of our calls?

Annalease: Please don't be mad but I smashed my phone up through anger.

Lindsey: Oh sweetheart, We'll all walk round and come and get you if you want?

Annalease: Could you please? I don't think I can spend another second on my own.

Lindsey: Of course, sit tight and we'll see you soon yeah?

Annalease: Yeah okay, thanks for everything Linds.

Once off the phone Annalease got herself ready to leave, picking up her broken phone and putting it in her pocket. She made sure everything was locked up and made her way outside and waited for everyone to come. Around 5 minuets later everyone aside from Robbie came into sight, she wondered where he was but she didn't want to ask anyone as she realised he was probably at home. When he was upset Robbie would always want to be left alone to gather his thoughts a bit like what Annalease had done earlier in the day,Her and Robbie were a like in that way. Jason looked a lot better than earlier in the day, she walked up to him and gave him a hug. She was feeling slightly guilty for leaving him earlier but she needed to, and after all he had Lindsey. "You okay?" she said as she stepped out of the hug.

"I'm much better now I know you're okay" he said with a smile, still with sadness in his eyes

"I was fine honestly, just did a lot of thinking you know?" she said softly.

"Just tell us when you're gunna pull another stunt like that midget" Freddie chirped as he emerged from the darkness making his way over to the rest of the family. Her face lit up as he got closer to her. She ran into his arms regardless of how silly she looked, he picked her up and spun her around kissing her forehead.

"Freddie! Are you okay?" She beamed as he put her down.

"Yeah yeah I am thanks" he said with a slight smile.

"How about we all head home and get some rest, we've got a lot to sort out in the morning" Joe said softly. Tiredness was beginning to hit Annalease but she didn't think she would get any sleep due to her thoughts revolving Sandy.

Once everyone had got home they all retreated to their rooms, Annalease was feeling numb. And missed hearing Sandy's goodnight voice.

Once in her room Annalease got herself ready for bed, not wanting to speak to anybody else for the rest of the night. Something about the events of the day didn't seem right to her, things weren't final enough for her. She knew there was something not right, and she needed to find out what exactly was going on. She wasn't going to mourn for Sandy until she found out the truth, she decided that the next morning she would go out and find exactly what it was that had gone on without telling anybody. Sneaking around wasn't her favourite thing and wasn't something she was good at, but she knew it was paramount that she learnt how to and very quickly. That night she fell to sleep with a well worked out plan in her head.