Chapter 17

I twisted and turned amongst the thick tangle of blankets, my mouth pursed tightly, my eyes clamped shut.
"Kat are you OK?" Mum asked, the worry showing quite clearly in her strangled voice.
My eyes fluttered open.
I gasped in pain.
"Its ok darling! You're home! Everythings safe!" Mum flustered, tidying my scrunched sheets.
I felt weak and sweat poured down my face.
"I had a bad dream." I whispered.
Mum's face crumpled.
"Are you OK now darling? Mitchell's at school - everythings fine." She smiled, er eyes full of sorrow.
"Yes...." I frowned.
"What was it about?" She asked polietly.
"Can't remember." I lied softly. "There was a lion....I think..."
She looked like she genuinly believed me, I was pretty thrilled.
"Well everything's fine now." She murmured.
Witha flourish she got up.
"I've got some things to do...you stay in bed. Would you like anything to eat? Drink? I'm afraid I can't offer you any company, Steve is at work." She babbled.
I managed to catch the basics of what she said.
"A drink and something to eat would be fab." I mananged to say.
She grinned.
"Ok."


"Hi Mummy!" Mitchell called from downstairs.
I glanced at the clock
Wow, school was over already.


After about an hour after Mitchell had come home, when the sky was a dusky black, the doorbell rang.
I heard someone dash to get it and a small murmur of voices.
There were several thumpings up the stairs, followed by a gentle pad.
Zara and Heidi burst into the room, quickly abandoning their school bags by the door.
"Hi Kat! Are you OK?" They gabbled.
For several minutes we chatted but suddenly Zara's mobile beeped.
She glanced at the screen.
Her face fell.
"Sorry Kat - we've got to go....see you soon.... Mum want's us back for tea - Heidi's coming over tonight you see." Zara burbled apologetically.
I smiled wanly as they padded out, and lay down.
Just as I was drifting off for a snooze the door opened again.
I wearily glanced over.
Dreadlock Boy - It...
I gasped, sat up and gathered the covers protectivly around me.
"Get out!" I squealed.
He frowned but advanced towards me.
"Please...Please...Please..." I begged, starting to sob.
He cocked his head and frowned again.
"Don't turn into that." I sobbed.
Realisation dawned on his face.
"Twas'nt me." He said plainly.
I felt anger bubbled up inside me.
"Well who was it then?" I wailed.
"Me." He replied.
I felt a pang of hysterical hilarity.
"But you said it wasn't. Who was it then?" I giggled through my tears.
"Me."