Emily and Lindsay decided to look around the shops. Emily was slightly nervous in case truancy officers spotted them, then she'd be in big trouble with everyone. Lindsay wished Emily would chill out and kept promising her they wouldn't get caught or in any trouble. First, they were looking in a jewellery and makeup store and Emily had fallen in love with a heart necklace.
''How much is it?'' Lindsay asked
''Only £34.99.'' Emily read
Emily only had £10 and Lindsay had £15. They couldn't afford it, even if they put their money together. Lindsay then had another idea.
''I'll pay for it.'' Lindsay offered
''Thanks.'' Emily beamed ''I'm going to wait outside.''
Lindsay waited until no one was looking. She picked up the necklace and placed it in the lining of her coat before casually walking out to meet Emily.
''Here Em.'' Lindsay smiled, handing the necklace to Emily
Emily smiled and put the necklace on. It was beautiful and shone bright when the sun hit it.
At school, Tom noticed Lindsay wasn't at school and Sian noticed Emily's absence. Tom decided to go and see Sian.
''Mrs Diamond, can I have a word?'' Tom asked
''Yes sure.'' Sian said
Sian shut the door as she and Tom headed up the corridor.
''Have you had Emily in your registration?'' Tom wondered
''No.'' Sian replied ''In fact, I was going to ask you if Lindsay's in.''
''No.'' Sighed Tom ''I think I know why Lindsay's not here.''
''Why?'' Sian wondered
''A few days ago, Lindsay seemed upset so I sent her to the cooler to calm down. When I got there, she was crying and I asked her what's up.'' Tom began, his voice trailing off as it was too embarrassing to say ''Then she kissed me.''
''Blimey.'' Sian muttered ''We'll have to sort that out later because there is obviously something up. In the mean time, can you phone Mrs James up and tell her the situation.''
''And the girls?'' Tom quizzed
''I'll go and look for them in town. I have no lessons to teach until after break.''
Tom headed to the office and saw Janeece applying lip gloss to her lips.
''Janeece.'' Tom spoke
Janeece almost jumped out of her chair in fright and lip gloss ended on her cheek.
''I'll have to do that again now.'' Janeece sighed ''What do you want Tom?''
''Can I have Mrs James house number?'' Tom asked
Janeece strutted in her high heels over to the filing cabinet and looked for either Emily or Lindsay's file. Janeece then pulled out a blue file with 'Emily James' on a white sticky label on it.
''Here you go.'' Janeece smiled ''And remember, I need that back. It's official information.''
Tom then went back to his own office and picked up the phone and pressed in the digits.
''Hello.'' Mrs James began
''Mrs James, it's Mr Clarkson from Waterloo Road. There's a bit of a situation involving your daughters. They aren't at school.'' Tom explained
''What!'' Gasped Mrs James ''Where….where are they?''
''Mrs Diamond is going to search for them, is it possible you could come in?'' Wondered Tom
''OK.'' Mrs James replied
Emily and Lindsay were at Green Lane park a few minutes away from town and about an hour away from their school. Lindsay had shoplifted some alcohol and treats from the off license. Emily had passed out on the bench after drinking far too much and had been sick a few times whilst Lindsay felt light headed and dizzy.
''Want some more?'' Lindsay asked
'''OK.'' Emily agreed, taking the bottle and downing it
Emily and Lindsay decided to go back into town since they were both starving. They went to a fish and chip restaurant.
''2 cod, chips and gravy please with 2 cola's.'' Lindsay ordered
Moments later, Lindsay and Emily were munching through their dinners.
''So are you paying?'' Emily asked
''Me?'' Lindsay began ''I don't have much money.''
''You could have told me that.'' Emily sighed, pushing the plate away
''Look, leave it to me.'' Lindsay reassured
The two of them quickly finished their dinners and tried to act casual and normal so they wouldn't get sussed.
''On the count of 3, we leg it.'' Lindsay explained anxiously ''1…2…3!''
Emily and Lindsay picked up their belongings and ran out quickly as possible. The chef came chasing after them with a frying pan. Lindsay and Emily felt scared and excited at the same time. They carried on running for minutes until they realised he had stopped chasing them.
''Finally.'' Lindsay panted
''We're not out of the clear yet.'' Emily pointed at Sian
''Oh no.'' Lindsay sighed ''They must have found out.''
Lindsay and Emily tried to blend in with the public and headed to the shopping centre since that was the most crowded place and both went to Primark. Lindsay felt panicky as she was looking at the makeup sets. Lindsay didn't even notice herself placing numerous makeup sets in her bag.
''Come on Em.'' Lindsay instructed
Lindsay and Emily confidentially walked out of the store when the alarm went off. They didn't think it was them as there were a few people leaving the store.
''Excuse me.'' A big, bald security guard began ''Can I look in your bags?''
''Why?'' Emily asked
''Don't question me.'' He insisted ''Bags.''
Emily gave her bag for him to look in. The security guard rummaged through Emily's bag carelessly to find anything. He nodded with approval when she had nothing. Lindsay reluctantly gave over her bag and was shocked when he pulled out 5 makeup sets out.
''I have no idea how they got there.'' Lindsay told him
''So I guess they jumped in.'' The security guard mocked ''Young lady, you have committed a criminal offence.''
Sian noticed the situation and spotted Emily and Lindsay, so she headed over.
''Emily?'' Sian said, confused ''Lindsay?''
''Do you know these kids?'' The security guard questioned
''Yes, I'm their teacher.'' Sian replied before noticing the strong stench of booze ''Have you 2 been drinking?''
''Maybe.'' Lindsay said moodily
''is it OK if the school deals with this?'' Sian wondered ''Let's just say, these 2 haven't had an easy time lately.''
The security guard looked at them before agreeing, headed inside.
''Thanks miss.'' Emily sighed with relief
''You 2 aren't out of the woods yet.'' Sian told them ''Your mother is at school.''