Chapter 4
Madii and Jodi had run inside already and were sitting in the lounge room into the biscuits again. "Guys. Lindy's coming over tonight. Get your feet of the lounge." She said swatting at Jodi's feet. "And help me clear up this place please. C'mon, you can watch the neighbours we taped while your CLEANING UP if you want," As Madii turned on the TV. "Kate, how do you rewind the tape?" asked Madii as the 4:00pm news flashed on the screen. Kate hit the rewind button as Madii started coughing and gagging. "Madds, what is it?" Kate asked as she slapped her on the back. "TV, Alex, Look, Kate, Kate." Kate looked at the offending television set and all her breath was knocked out of her. "Shh, listen." Kate looked at the TV screen. ...escaped police custody today after a hostage situation in his house, holding his girlfriend hostage whose name has been released as Catherine McGregor. The hostage was taken to Light-town hospital with a gunshot to the left arm. Alex has had prior convictions of attempted murder and Catherine has reported Alex for the assault of her daughter Katelyn and her two sisters who the police have been unable to reach Katelyn and if she is watching she is urged to call police.
Kate turned neighbours on and tried desperately to avoid her sisters' questioning looks. "C'mon, are we cleaning or talking?" Madii exchanged a glance with Jodi and got up, collecting the cleaning chemicals and heading to the bathroom.
After about five minutes of vacuuming a knock rang out in the apartment. What if it's Alex, he's escaped and after you Kate. "Who's there?" Kate's English accent called. "I didn't know you were a pom." Came Nikki's voice and Kate opened the door. Kate invited her into the apartment. "Miss me Nik?" Asked Kate. Nikki looked at her closely and Kate had the feeling she was searching her. "I just watched the start of the news" Nikki started, still looking at Kate. "And it had a news story about a Katelyn McGregor and two sisters who've run away," said Nikki still looking closely at Kate, looking for a reaction. Kate, knowing she couldn't hide the truth, grabbed Nikki by the elbow and steered her into the kitchen. "You're sworn to secrecy." Kate warned and Nikki nodded. Kate took a deep breath and told her the story of her life. "My dad died when I was eight and mum dated a lot of other guys. She met Alex. He abused her, me and my sisters. So we left." Nikki looked shocked. She wasn't expecting this. Kate continued. "One day, I was two minutes late home, because the bus was late, and he hit me on the head with a block of wood," said Kate as she parted her hair to show a long scar on her head. "He wouldn't even let me go to hospital until I'd passed out twice and I lost heaps of blood." Kate stopped and Nikki patted her on the arm. "On my 14th birthday mum and Alex didn't even say happy birthday. Not even a shred of acknowledgement. In fact, he beat me on the hand with a boiling frypan. In the end it got to be too much and I decided to leave. Only Jodi caught me at the door and told me she was coming too. So we left." Nikki sat down on the bench, deep in thought. Unconsciously, Kate got up, and grabbed the steak sitting on the bench and began cutting it into slices. "Katie, someone's at the door." Kate got up and answered the door and was faced with a middle aged woman who was standing in front of a four year old girl who was peering at Kate behind her mother's legs. "Hello, sorry to bother you but I believe my daughter's here." Nikki appeared behind Kate as she said, "Oh, yeah, did you want to come in?" Nikki's mother refused politely saying, "Oh, no thankyou dear. I just came to collect Nicola and get going." Nikki rolled her eyes as her mother said Nicola. "Mum, my name's Nikki. I can't stand Nicola." Kate looked at her best friend and smiled. "Your name's not that bad. You could have my name."
"Oh, right, how could I have been so naïve? Katelyn's positively evil compared to Nicola. Sorry Kate" said Nikki sarcastically. Just then Madii walked into the room saying, "No, but what about Katelyn Alyce Rachael Jessica Lucinda Ashlee Grace McGregor?"
"Thankyou Madisson Emily Sarah Jasmine Crystal McGregor," said Kate aiming a pillow at her sister. "Hey, Nikk, what's your middle name anyway?"
Nikki, fighting not to laugh said, "We should probably go now mum hey. Thanks see you tomorrow." Kate grabbed the pillow and aimed at Nikki. "Bye. But I will find out."
"Really Katelyn Jessi- What was it again." Said Nikki, closing the door of the apartment after her, grinning.