"'K, guys, you've got me. Now it's my turn."
Amy glanced over at Mels. The other girl shrugged. "We did promise," she pointed out.
"Yeah. Okay. Get up, Rory, and you can be the police with me. Mels, you be the bank robber."
Rory held up his hand. "You gotta unlock me, first," he said, shaking his arm. The other side of the handcuff circling his wrist clanked against the old metal swing set.
"Right. You got the key, Mels?" Amy asked.
Mels searched her pocket. "No. You must."
"No. I gave it to you. You sure it's not there?"
Mels searched her pockets again. "Nope."
"You guys lost the key?"
Both girls turned to look at Rory. "Uh... Maybe?" Amy said.
"We could pick it," Mels suggested.
Feeling a need to be truthful, Amy added, "Probably."
"Probably?" Rory asked.
"Definitely probably," Mels corrected.
"Probably?" Rory repeated, his voice rising a bit in panic.
"Yes," Amy answered and, grabbing Mels' arm, started to pull her toward the house. "We'll be right back," she called over her shoulder to Rory. "Just gotta get the picks."
They had gotten as far as the bottom of the stairs when Amy's mother stepped into the hall from the sitting room. "Oh, hello, Mels. I didn't realize Amy had friends over."
"We were in the back garden playing," Amy explained. Then, pointing up the stairs, "I wanted to show Mels something in my room."
"If you girls are interested, I've got the kettle on and could open a package of biscuits...?"
"Chocolate?" Mels asked.
"Of course."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Half an hour later, the phone rang. Amy's mum picked it up. She listened for a minute and then answered, "I'll ask Amy," before turning to the two girls who were still seated at the table talking. "Girls? It's Mrs. Williams. Have either of you seen Rory?" she asked.
Amy and Mels turned to look at each other, eyes wide. Then, as one, they turned back to her. "Rory?" Amy asked.
"Yes. Have you?"
Mels shook her head. "No. Not... recently."
Amy and Mels slid down from their chairs and moved to the door. "But that reminds me of something, Mum. We need to go..." Amy said before she turned and, grabbing her friends hand, darted from the room.