Leave it to Eva by Judi Curtin Read Free Book Online Page A

on the front door.
    ‘OMG,’ whispered Kate. ‘Who on earth could that possibly be?’

Chapter Eight
    K ate and I stood still for ages and ages. It was like a bizarre game of musical statues – except there was no music, and no prize for the best statue. And it wasn’t any fun either.
    In the end I couldn’t take it any more, and took a step towards the door. I didn’t get far though, as Kate reached out and pulled me back.
    ‘Ignore it,’ she whispered. ‘We’re not expecting anyone. Maybe whoever it is will go away. Maybe it’s just––’
    Before she could finish the sentence, the knocking was repeated, and this time it waseven louder than before.
    Kate had turned to a frozen statue again, and I knew I had to do something.
    ‘Let me answer it,’ I said. ‘It’s probably something stupid like a lost tourist or someone selling raffle tickets.’
    ‘You really think so?’
    I nodded. ‘Sure. I’ll just get rid of whoever it is, and then we can get on with making that hot chocolate.’
    Kate didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue as I began to walk to the front door. Before I could get there, though, there was a loud rattling sound as the letter-box was pushed open. All of a sudden, I wasn’t so sure that there was a lost tourist outside. Without thinking too much about it, I threw myself to one side to avoid being seen. Then I stood beside the door, hardly daring to breathe. I felt sure that whoever was outside would be able to hear the thumping of my heart.
    ‘Kate?’ came a voice from the letter-box.
    I looked through the living-room door, and saw Kate put her finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet.
    ‘Kate,’ came the voice again, ‘it’s Nicola. From Child Services.’
    I breathed the quietest sigh of relief I could manage. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see Nicola from Child Services, but she had to be less scary than a crazed burglar or a mad, axe-wielding murderer.
    ‘It’s Nicola,’ came the voice again, ‘don’t you remember me, Kate?’
    I looked at Kate who shook her head.
    ‘I’m here to help you, Kate,’ said the voice. ‘I know what’s going on. I know Martha is in hospital. I know you’re here on your own.’
    Now Kate gave me a fierce look, and it was my turn to shake my head. I had thought about it a million times, but I’d never actually told a single person that Kate was still in Seacove.
    ‘I know you’re trying very hard to be brave and independent, Kate,’ said Nicola from outside the door. ‘But now it’s time for you to come out and let me take care of you.’
    She sounded like a nice woman, and part of me was very glad she was here. At last someone was going to talk some sense into Kate, and sort things out properly.
    Clearly though, that wasn’t the way Kate saw it.
    She turned and raced up the stairs, two steps at a time. The letter-box was still pushed open, so I had to get down on my hands and knees, and crawl past the front door to get to the stairs. It would have been funny if it hadn’t been really confusing and scary.
    By the time I got to Kate’s bedroom she had pulled a rucksack from under her bed, and was already stuffing it with a few clothes.
    While I was still trying to think of something to say, she pulled on a jacket, andgave me a quick hug.
    ‘You’ve got to help me, Eva,’ she said.
    ‘How?’
    ‘Open the front door and talk to Nicola for a while.’
    ‘Talk to her about what? And why?’
    ‘I need you to distract her. Tell her I’ve gone for a walk or something, and that I’ll be back later.’
    ‘But what are you going to do?’
    ‘I’m going out the back door.’
    ‘But that’s crazy!’ I said. ‘You haven’t got anywhere to go. Kate, you should let Nicola help you – you can’t look after yourself forever—’
    ‘Actually I can,’ said Kate. ‘Now are you going to help me, Eva? Are you my friend or not?’
    This was so unfair. I’d do anything to help my friend, but since what she wanted me to do