Thank you to my reviewers: obsessivelyfanaticgw09, xBadxRomancesx and I LOVE JACK ATLAS
Chapter Three
I sat on my bed, allowing the music of my Ipod (set on shuffle) to wash over me as I attempted my homework.
I tried concentrating, but it was hard. Every time I tried to, I found myself singing along to the music.
Letting out a frustrated noise, I tucked my homework back into my folder and then tucked it under my bed.
Sighing, I fell back and gazed up at the ceiling.
It was very boring.
A soft knock at the door made me jump slightly, but I quickly composed myself to call a quick, "Come in."
The door opened, and Dad walked in, dressed in a sensible suit and carrying a large suitcase in his hand.
"Jeez, Dad, how long are you going for?" I asked with a grin. Dad grinned back.
"I don't know! You know what Mark's like."
"Yeah, I do." I replied, rolling my eyes. Dad laughed and put his suitcase down, then crossed the room and sat on my bed with me.
"You're going to be ok." He told me.
"I know. I'll be fine."
"You and Nellie will look after your Mum as well, won't you?"
"Don't worry, Dad, we'll make sure she takes her pills."
Dad snorted, but composed himself to grin at me.
"That's not what I meant, kid."
"Oh," I blushed. "What did you mean?"
Dad smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. You'll understand when you're older."
Jeez, I hated it when people said that. Especially parents.
Frowning, I shuffled towards Dad and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face into his chest.
"I don't want you to go, Dad." I murmured.
Dad's arm slid around my shoulders, and he gently stroked my hair.
"I know, Amy, I don't want to go either, but I have to. It's my job."
"Quit. Get a new one."
Dad laughed. "I can't."
"Why?" It seemed pretty simple to me. If you don't like your job, just quit it and find one you do like!
Dad shook his head again. "Don't worry."
BUT I AM WORRYING, I silently screamed, staring at Dad with frustration. Why did no one ever listen to me? I was fourteen, not four!
"When will you be back?"
"I don't know, exactly. Around Sunday."
"You'll be gone all week?" I asked, frowning as I pulled away and stared up at him. "You can't be!"
"Amy, I have to."
I sighed, pouting. "Say you're ill. Say I'm ill. Nellie's ill. Mum's ill. We're all ill, and you can't leave in case it spreads, cos it's a rare disease that has only just been discovered and is very dangerous if not stopped as soon as possible, otherwise it would cause a pandemic."
Dad smiled as he gazed at me.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just…" Dad's voice trailed off. "You look so much like your Mother when you babble like that."
"I don't babble."
Dad raised his eyebrows.
"Ok, maybe just a little bit."
Dad smiled appeared on his face again as he leant forwards and gently kissed my forehead.
"I'll call you."
"Every day?"
"Every day."
"Promise?" I demanded, holding out my little finger. Dad laughed as he hooked his little finger around mine.
"Promise."
I grinned. "And you have to bring me back a present."
"I knew there would be a catch."
I giggled. Dad smiled and kissed my forehead again before standing up.
"Love you, Dad." I called as he crossed my room.
"I love you, too, Amz."
Picking up his suitcase, Dad left my room, carefully shutting the door behind me.
"Daddy please, Daddy don't leave, Daddy - no stop it!"
I glared at my Ipod. Damn Eminem.
"Hey, Amy."
"Yeah?"
"THINK FAST!"
I ducked just in time to avoid a shuttle cock hitting me on the head. Straightening up again, I glared at Hannah, who was doubled over laughing.
"What was that for?" I demanded.
"You weren't paying attention!"
Scowling, I spun around and snatched the shuttle cock up from the ground. My scowl was replaced with a small grin as an idea came to my mind.
"Hannah…"
"Yeah?"
"THINK FAST!"
I burst out laughing as the shuttle cock hit Hannah straight on the nose.
That night, Mum, Nellie and I were having a 'girly evening', as Mum called them. It was Friday, and just two days away from Dad coming home.
"Come on, Amy, hurry up and sit down!" Nellie called from the living room.
"Coming!" I called back, carefully balancing the three glasses on the tray I had. Diet soda for Nellie (she was obsessed with her figure), full fat and sugar soda for me and a glass of wine for Mum.
"Oh, darling, you shouldn't have opened the wine bottle!" Mum gently scolded, taking her glass.
"It was only a screw top." I said meekly.
"I know, but…" Mum's voice trailed off as she shook her head. "Never mind. Come and sit down."
Smiling, I curled up next to Mum, grabbing my pizza box and opening it. My smile broadened as I breathed in the scent.
"Mmm, I love takeaway pizza!" I announced, picking up a slice.
"But it's so fattening." Nellie complained.
"Oh, darling, you're beautiful as you are! It's not going to kill you eating some pizza."
Nellie grumbled, but eventually gave in, a small and delighted smile appearing on her face.
We were pretty happy and relaxed when the doorbell rung.
We had no idea that doorbell would change our lives.
Mum, frowning, got up and left the room, leaving Nellie and I to relax with our pizza, soda and movies.
"Hang on a mo," Nellie said, grabbing the remote and pressing the mute button. Frowning, she began eavesdropping.
"Are you Mrs Hope?" A voice asked. It was obviously male, quite deep, and formal.
"Yes. May I help you?"
There was a slight pause.
"Perhaps it is better if we come in." Another voice spoke. Again, male, but younger.
"Oh, yes, of course."
Nellie and I stared as two police men walked into the room, both of them nodding as us in greeting.
"Mum, what's going on?" Nellie asked. Mum shook her head and sat back next to me.
"Yes, officer, what is going on?"
The police man, the older one, cleared his throat before taking off his hat, revealing his think light brown hair that was slowly fading to grey.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs Hope, but we have some bad news."
"What bad news?"
The older man cleared his throat again as his companion shifted his weight slightly, obviously uncomfortable.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs Hope, but both your husband and your father were found dead this afternoon in the pie shop on Fleet Street, London."
"What? How?" Nellie cried.
The older man looked at the little notebook he held in his hand, cleared his throat again and then looked up.
"Both of them were found in shop with their throats slit."
Yeah, I know you're all probably wondering where Sweeney and co. are coming in, and I promise SOON!