CHAPTER NINETEEN

" Mum…" Jacob stared as his mother put the bottles on the counter silently, then she turned to stare at him. It was her disapproving silence that unnerved him.

" What were you doing snooping in my room?" he asked, trying to delay the inevitable.

His mother narrowed her eyes dangerously, " I wasn't snooping, I was house cleaning. Where did you get these?."

Jacob swallowed and rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans, " Um-" He thought fast and came up with something that might get off the hook. As his mother inspected the bottles she noticed a small sticker on the bottom that read, property of Noah's Bar. She raised her eyebrows. This answered her first question.

" You got these from Noah's Bar?"

Jacob nodded, " Y-Yes."

" Who sold you these?" she asked, how could anyone sell a fifteen year old booze?

" No one did."

" Then how did you get your hands on them?" she demanded.

" I found them," he blurted out.

" Found them?"

" Yeah, on the beach. I was going to hand them in but I guess I forgotten about them."

Laura narrowed her eyes again, " Are you sure?"

" With everything that's going on, they were the least of my thoughts." Jacob held out his hands pleadingly, " Please, you have to believe me. There's no way I would steal booze from Noah's Bar-how can I when it's manned all the time?"

Laura relaxed, she knew her son wouldn't thieve. He was an honest boy, " I believe you Jacob. Let's give these back then eh?"

" I'll do it." Jacob volunteered, relieved she fell for his little lie.

" Thanks. And while you're doing that I'll order us some Chinese Food?" she was trying to make amends for doubting him. He nodded, trying to be enthusiastic, but his mother's discovery really rattled. He told himself to play it cool or she'll be suspicious again.

Jacob left and Laura ordered some Chinese Food. She then sent Morag a text and a few minutes later, Morag called her.

" Miss me already?" Laura teased.

" I got a call from the garage," Morag replied, neatly avoiding the question.

" Oh and what did they say?"

" The brake lines have been cut."

Laura fell silent, " Someone wanted us to have the accident?"

" Not us. Me." Morag paused, " I've been trying to rack my brain to figure out who would want me dead."

" No one wants you dead Morag-"

" Ah yes, well there are several people in town who has vendettas against me, not to mention people I've put in prison. The list goes on." Morag decided it was best not to tell Laura she thinks it was Jacob who did it. The best way was to confront the boy herself.

" Jacob's back…I must go. Will I see you tomorrow?"

" Don't you want the day free to spend with Jacob?" it was the very last day before Friday.

" Yes…" they said goodbye and hung up.

" Who were you talking to?" Jacob asked curiously as she hung up.

" Morag. She was telling me the brakes of her car had been tampered with. That's what caused the accident." Laura said as she went to get some more painkillers. The headache was back with a vengeance.

The brakes. Jacob clenched his fists. Another thing to worry about. What if Morag discovered it had been him? She'd tell his mother and his mother wouldn't trust him again. She'd probably be glad to see the back of him when his father came to pick him up.

I hope Friday never comes. Jacob thought. Then he came up with another idea. It was risky but the risks didn't matter much if he was leaving Summer Bay for good.

" Mum…I know who tampered with Morag's brakes." Jacob said.

" You do?"

Jacob nodded, " I didn't say anything before because he threatened me. If I told anyone, he'd…beat me up. It was Tim Young."

" Tim Young? I don't know who he is."

" A kid at school. He's got some kind of vendetta against Morag because she put his father behind bars. I caught him doing it."

" Thanks for telling me Jacob." Laura grabbed her phone, " I have to ring her."

Morag was surprised but pleased when she heard from Laura again. She listened as Laura told her about Jacob's confession.

" Timothy Young. " Morag sighed, " He's always had it in for me. I suppose he was the one who punctured my tyres earlier on too."

" Just thought you should know."

" Thank you, I will deal with Mr. Young later." Morag promised.

" Well, goodbye again. We'll talk later."

They made plans after all before Morag disconnected the call. She then got up and headed for the surf club, a favourite hang out of Timothy Young's. But as she got there, she realized if she confronted him now, Timothy might take it out on Jacob. It was best to wait until after Jacob had left the Bay.

Thursday went by in a blur and Friday came much to quickly. Laura woke up with the usual splitting headache and downed two pills before she got up. She slowly moved around the kitchen making coffee and Jacob his breakfast.

" Jacob, breakfast." She called out. A few minutes later, Jacob emerged from his room carrying his luggage and a few boxes.

" I can't believe it's Friday." Jacob whispered. His face looked pale and there were dark circle under his eyes.

Laura only nodded as she handed him his cereal. Sam would be here in less than two hours.

" Are you ready?"

" Yup. I just need to go to the surf club to say goodbye to a couple of guys but otherwise, I'll be ready for him."

Sam Tate arrived on time as Laura answered the door. He asked for Jacob and Laura went to his room but he wasn't there.

" Where is he then? I asked you to have him ready." Sam answered, anger slowly building. This was a plot against him.

" He said he would be here." Laura told him, " I'll give him a ring." She did but got no answer.

" You can come back and-"

" No. I'll wait till he comes. If he doesn't get here in one hour, I'll be very angry." Sam narrowed his eyes, " And I won't be held responsible for my actions."

I'm sorry Mum, but I have to do this. Jacob thought as he boarded the bus. He was running away, he had planned it all along. He knew his mother would get hurt but she was strong, she had friends to support her. He didn't, he had no one.

It was close to six as Morag entered Noah's Bar and waited for Laura. They had made plans to meet here after Sam had picked Laura up. Laura had wanted to drown her sorrows again and needed company too. Six-fifteen pm came and went and still no Laura. Morag frowned, Laura was never late.

She called Lara's mobile but got voicemail. She hung up and went to her apartment. She knocked once and entered.

" Laura, are you-" the words died on her lips.

Laura's living room had been ransacked and there was blood on the floor…