Beyond the Shroud by V M Jones Read Free Book Online

the circumstances.
    Then, just as she was about to ring off, I heard something unexpected: silence. Warily, I risked a quick glance at Matron’s face. She was listening to Q, tight-lipped. ‘You … you want to talk to Adam?’ she blustered. ‘I — I’m not sure that’s possible. He may be out … some of the children went down to the … the shopping mall for an ice cream — as an end-of-term treat. You — you insist? Well, really, Mr Quested … If you don’t talk to him personally, you’re coming to get him anyway? I — I — hold the line, please.’
    My heart was hammering with wild hope. Q wasn’t going to let Matron get away with it! I was saved! I felt my face split into a grin of delighted disbelief … and then Isaw the look in Matron’s eyes. She put the receiver down on the desk, and picked up the cane. Flexing it between her hands, without taking her eyes off me, she said silkily, ‘Adam, dear … why, here you are. Would you please be kind enough to speak to Mr Quested for a moment, and explain the change in your holiday plans?’
    I picked up the receiver, my hand clammy with sweat. ‘Q?’ I croaked.
    â€˜Adam? Is that you?’ I could hear the smile in his voice.
    â€˜Uh …’ I glanced up at Matron through my fringe. She was watching me the way a cat watches a mouse, tapping the cane lightly on the edge of the desk. Tap … tap … tap … ‘Yeah. It’s me.’
    â€˜Adam, my boy — I’m concerned about this. Not about the change in plan, if it’s really what you want. But I felt I should talk to you myself, to confirm that it is your decision, and that everything is … all right. That you’re well … and happy.’
    I felt the sting of tears in my eyes and blinked them furiously away, turning my back on Matron. I would not cry — would not give her that satisfaction, on top of everything else! ‘Everything’s fine,’ I lied miserably. ‘I want to go to Cameron’s for the holidays. His dad invited me.’ My voice sounded weird, like robot, or a tape recording with a flat battery.
    A sigh gusted down the line. ‘Well, we’ll miss you. I won’t try to change your mind — I’m sure a boy your age does have better things to do than be stuck at the back of beyond with an old man and a little girl. Though Hannah will be disappointed … ah, well. Enjoy yourself, my boy. Maybe next holidays, eh?’
    â€˜OK. Bye.’
    I stood there for an endless moment with the receiver clamped to my ear, the words I longed to shout out burning in my chest. ‘No! It’s all a lie! Come and get me! Take me awayfrom here — please!’ The silence drew out like a rubber band … I drew a deep, shuddering breath, but I could feel Matron’s eyes boring into my back like a drill.
    â€˜Q —’
    â€˜Yes, my boy?’ His voice had never been gentler.
    â€˜I —’ My courage deserted me. ‘Tell Hannah … I’m sorry.’ I put the receiver down in its cradle as gently as if it was made of glass, cutting off contact with Q and Quested Court with a tiny click of finality.
    Without another glance at Matron and her cane, I turned and walked out of there.

    The idea came to me in the dead of the night. It was so simple, so obvious, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before.
    The computer.
    I lay for what must have been over an hour, staring at the dark ceiling … but it wasn’t what I was seeing. I was seeing myself doing it … imagining every step, every possible thing that might go wrong. I’d have to be absolutely certain everyone was asleep. I’d need to be utterly silent. I’d have to do it all in the pitch dark. How much noise does a computer make when you turn it on? I couldn’t remember. I imagined myself sitting up, swinging my legs