Chapter 3: Shattered

Seven days passed under the sky. They finished all main chores three days ago and Tess was getting excited, looking forward to some free days. She planned to go out with Claire and have a good time and, of course - try at least one more time to get Claire into dress.

Tess was chatting with Jodi in the kitchen while Meg was finishing lunch when suddenly doors slammed so loud and hard that they all screamed and jumped.

In next moment Tess noticed her sister rushing through the hallway and ran upstairs without even looking to them.

"Claire!", Tess rushed to follow her, but Meg grabbed her hand, stopping her. Tess looked surprisingly to Meg.

"Meg!", Tess exclaimed, trying to free herself, but Meg held her tight, shaking her head slowly.

"Theres no use, Tess."

"Meg, shes obviously upset about something, I have to be there for her!", Tess was desperate.

"Let her go, Tess. She needs some time alone to cry..."

"Cry! Why does she has to cry!", Tess panicked.

"You wont get anything out from her now, Tess. This is the way that she deals with that", said Meg, exchanging glances with Jodi, confusing Tess even more.

Tess looked to Jodi and when Jodi kept silent, drinking her coffee,Tess got really worried.

"It must be something serious when youre not telling anything, Jodes. What is it? With what does she has to deal?", asked Tess.

But before they could replied, they noticed Claire coming downstairs just when phone rang and Tess answered:

"Drovers Run. Oh, hi, Alex!", said Tess "Fine, you? Yeah she is here. Claire, phone call for you. Its Alex."

Without even looking at her sister, Claire exclaimed:

"Tell him to go to hell!", she ran outside, calling for Roy.

Tess was holding phone, totally speechless. She got even more confused when she didnt saw surprise on Megs and Jodis faces.

Than she remembered that Alex is still on the phone. Praying to God that he didnt heard Claire, Tess answered the phone one more time.

"Umm, sorry, Alex, she cant answer the phone right now. Ill let her know that you called. Okay. Bye!"

Tess hanged up the phone and turned to Meg and Jodi.

"All right. Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on?"