I think I'm doing quite well for updating so far..LoL...Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I am not Julia Golding; I do not own Cat Royal.
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Act One: Scene Three; Guilt
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Frank and I walked back silently. The guilt was like a thick fog hanging over me obscuring all things good from my line of vision. I unlocked the front door to our house and let Frank in before locking it again. Dragging my feet, I slowly made my way into the living room and collapsed into the couch. Frank gently sat down beside me.
"What are we going to do?" I asked. "How are we going to find him?" The panic was clear in my voice.
"I don't know Cat." Frank replied honestly. "I think it would be best to leave it to the authorities."
"No!" I exclaimed, my voice an octave higher. "I can't just leave him! It's my fault he's gone! There has to be something I can do…I…I…" I broke down into hysterical sobs.
Frank held me close in a tight embrace, stroking my hair and back. He kept whispering one thing; it will be ok.
How will it be ok? I thought. Syd was gone and it was my fault. It was my fault that he wasn't with his family now his parents were devastated. They'd already lost their son once before. Syd was like the older brother I never had – now it was my fault he was gone.
After a minute or two I calmed down but didn't move – I was enjoying the feeling of Frank's arms around me. But it didn't last long enough, too soon he held me at arms length to look at me.
"Don't worry Cat, we'll find him." He whispered.
I couldn't help myself again I lunged forward and caught his lips with mine. This time he reacted immediately placing his hands on my waist. I knotted my fingers into his curly hair and pulled myself closer. Again too soon Frank pulled away but his hands did not leave my waist. He looked down and sighed then looked back up again staring straight into my eyes.
"Cat I can't." He said.
"Why?" I asked confused.
Did I do something wrong? I wouldn't know – I didn't really have experience in these matters having only kissed Billy Shepherd and Syd briefly.
"It's not you." Said Frank smiling weakly. "I'm going back to Cambridge in two weeks."
He stroked my cheek with his thumb then kissed the tears from my eyelashes. How could I forget? Frank was only back for the holidays, he would be back at school for the rest of the term.
"When will you be back?" I asked.
"Christmas" he replied.
I sighed and then pressed my forehead against his shoulder wrapping my arms around him tightly. I'd miss him until then.
"Cat?"
The sound of my name being called startled us and we broke apart hastily. Pedro entered the room and looked at us curiously. I noticed Franks arm still at my waist and pushed it away quickly. A blush crept over my cheeks.
"There you are." He said. " I was wondering where you two had gone – alone." He grinned mischievously. "Cat do you think you could go down to the boxing office to let them know that Syd won't be able to make his boxing match with the Marylebone Mincer next Tuesday." He continued his face solemn again. "I can't right now, I need to be at the Covent Gardens theatre for rehearsals.
"Of course." I replied. " Do you have some money for a cab?"
"No, sorry." A pained expression appeared on Pedro's face – we were having money issues recently.
"I'll pay." Said Frank.
"No it's fine." I said. " I'll walk."
"No I insist, I should be going anyway."
"Fine." I agreed uneasy at accepting charity, I've always been too proud for my own good.
The mischievous grin I loved flashed across his face once and his eyes glittered.
"Lets be of then." He said pulling me to my feet and helping me into my coat.
"Goodbye Pedro." I called before bustling outside into the cool autumn air.
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A/N: Thanks for reading! What do you think? Constructive critisism is welcome but be nice...LoL. Review!