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Tom's Point Of View
The breaktime bell rang, making the students jump up and start chattering as they packed away.
"Off you go, see you next lesson." I said, but the students were already leaving- and I doubted that I could be heard over the loud class. I didn't have the heart to raise my voice any more, but I waited until the students had left before putting my head in my hands. The morning wasn't even over yet, and yet what a morning it had been.
Nicki had been absent, and she wasn't answering her phone. This itself was worrying, but when I was called to Michael's office mid-morning after the arrival of a police car... I knew that it would be about Nicki the minute Janeece fetched me. And when I heard the words 'We suspect that your colleague has been kidnapped'- well, my heart plummeted into my shoes. After what happened a few weeks ago, the police suspected that it was Nicki's stepfather that had taken her, and I was scared for her- I knew what her stepfather had done to her in the past, so goodness knows what he'd do now when he was feeling vengeful.
Deciding that I needed a coffee to be able to last the morning, I trailed out of my room and headed towards the staffroom.
"I was just about to bring this to you." Sian said when I entered, and I accepted the mug from her with a weak smile, sinking down into one of the red seats.
"Biscuit?" Matt offered, and I shook my head, but inside I was surprised. The teachers of Waterloo Road giving up their biscuits? Usually offering biscuits was out of the question- they had to be clung on tightly in order for them to remain in the hands of their owner, rather than being stolen (and consumed) by somebody else. Such generosity was astounding- and it was also rather shameful that something bad had to happen before this generosity was bestowed upon others...
Later, and I was sitting painfully alone in the canteen, picking at a tray of spaghetti bolognaise and salad, when Josh sat opposite me.
"Dad? Is it true?" He asked worridly. "About Nicki being missing?"
"Yes, it seems that it is." I said glumly. Josh's eyes widened.
"Are they searching for her?"
"Yes, of course."
"But, they will find her... won't they?"
"Hopefully, but..." I couldn't continue.
"But they might not." Josh stated, his voice wobbling.
"Yeah. They are very good at finding people nowadays, though- and it's not as if Nicki will give up without a fight."
"No, you're right." Josh said dejectedly. "Well, thanks anyway, for telling me."
"That's okay. And Josh, please try not to worry."
"I'll try." He walked off, and I twisted more spaghetti around my fork. How could I expect Josh to follow my advice, when I could even follow it myself?!