5.

"Have fun babysitting-be careful of the scary man!" Cloe said as Alice left school the next afternoon.

Alice simply glared at her, she was in a rush and didn't have time for the conversation. Clearly Cloe thought that Alice was being silly with her concerns about Mark, but it didn't matter at the moment.

James was very happy to see her, and he bounded round her telling her all about his day, and what he had done. His teacher, who was watching with a smile, suggested he go and get his bag. He hurried off to do it, and the teacher smiled at Alice.

"I'm glad to see he's found someone who he's attached himself to. After his Mom left he was wary of getting close to anyone-even kids his own age, let alone older people!" She told Alice.

Alice looked surprised. "You knew his Mom?"

"Pretty well yes. She was on the parents committee here-never missed a meeting. Always very enthusiastic about things to do, things to build. She organized most of our fundraisers." The teacher replied.

"And then she just left?" Alice asked, wondering whether the teacher would have any insight.

"Just left.." The teacher replied thoughtfully. "I know that she always acted like she was happy and I think she was in most things, but not her marriage. If it weren't for her son she would have left years before."

"But she did leave!" Alice protested. "And left James behind."

"I know, it surprised me greatly." The teacher said, shaking her head.

"Everyone seems to think that they had a great marriage, and that she had no reason for leaving." Alice said.

The teacher frowned. "I know what people say-but I can tell you now that she complained to me on more than one occasion about Mark!" She said softly.

"Complained? What about?" Alice asked curious, but the teacher shook her head.

"I shouldn't get into gossip. And I don't want to put you off looking after James-especially since he's gotten so used to you!" The teacher replied.

Alice sighed, and then saw James coming back with his bag. "Well thanks anyway." She said, and then she smiled at the kid. "You ready?"

"Sure. When we get home can we have a snack?" James asked.

"I don't know-do you normally have a snack?" Alice asked, wondering what she could and couldn't give him because of his diabetes.

"At after-school care we normally do." James replied, and he took her hand as they walked down the corridor.

"Then I'll see what I can do when we get home." Alice promised.

Back at Mark and James' place Alice found a note for her from Mark, with a list of instructions which made her grin. The list was so long, and some of it was so obvious- 'if there is a fire get yourself and James out of the house?' She had to laugh.

"What's funny? Can we eat now? I'm starving." James demanded.

Alice decided to answer the second part of the question instead. "Sure, what do you normally have for a snack?"

"Healthy stuff-I can't have sugar and things. I normally have crackers and cheese." James said, a little wistfully Alice thought. It must be hard on a kid to have to miss out on all the good things!

"Well healthy can be nice too!" Alice said. She opened the fridge searching for the cheese.

"It can be boring. My friend Luke gets to have chocolate all the time, and I can only sometimes have it, and only when it's the special sort." James said, then he brightened up. "Can we watch my favorite movie?"

"Sure, you set it up while I make you these." Alice agreed. James went into the living room while she made him his snack, and then went in with it.

"What is this movie anyway?" Alice asked, handing him the plate.

"It's called 'Terminator' with Arnie in it! Have you seen it?" James asked.



Noting the hopeful look in his eyes Alice said she hadn't.

"Well Arnie goes round killing people and stuff." James explained as the movie began.

"And your Dad lets you watch this?" Alice asked, before she could stop it slipping out.

"He doesn't notice what I watch really because he is very busy." James said, not turning away from the television screen.

As the movie played Alice let her mind wander. It seemed as though she were getting conflicting reports about Mark's marriage. Most people seemed to think it was great, but James' teacher had hinted that it wasn't exactly what it seemed. Then Cloe's voice came into her mind: 'It's none of your business anyway Alice! She left, and she's obviously not coming back. Let it go!' 'Smart advice Cloe!' Alice argued back in her mind. 'But there is something not quite right here, and considering my Mom is dating the guy it would be nice if I knew what it was!' The phone's ringing interrupted her make-believe argument. James was clearly not moving from the television screen, so Alice hurried to answer it.

"Hello, Wyatt residence." Alice said.

Silence.

"Hello?" Alice asked.

Silence again, but if she listened carefully she could hear heavy breathing on the other end. Frowning she hung up. She made a note to ask Mark whether they often got prank calls.

"Was it Dad on the phone?" James asked.

"No, it was a wrong number." Alice replied. "Why did you think it would be your Dad?"

"He worries about leaving me with people. He used to call my old babysitter all the time-the one I had just after Mom left-and that's probably why she stopped coming. Maybe she didn't like me either?" James said.

"James! I am sure she liked you fine. Maybe she had another reason for not coming, apart from your Dad bugging her all the time. What was her name anyway?" Alice said.

"Katy Simmons." James said. "She was bossy though so it's okay. I like you a lot better!"

Alice laughed, and they settled back to watch the movie. It was just beginning to get dark when Mark got home.

"Was he any trouble?" He asked Alice.

"None. We watched a movie and it's only just finished. I meant to ask you though, do you get many prank calls?" Alice asked.

Mark hesitated, and Alice was sure he seemed pale. "No, why do you ask?" He asked as casually as he could manage.

"No reason." Alice lied, wondering why it had bothered him so much.

"There must have been a reason!" Mark insisted. "There is no way you'd just come out with a question about whether or not we get prank calls if there was no reason for it. It just isn't logical."

Alice sighed. No wonder the guy was a lawyer! "I got a stupid prank call last night at home about whether or not my fridge was running, and I've had a few the last few days there, so I was wondering whether or not you get them also?"

Mark sighed, with what Alice thought looked like relief. "No, we don't. It must be someone playing a joke on the new people." He suggested.

"Must be." Alice agreed.

"Well, let me get the rugrat and we'll drive you home." Mark said.