No Going Back by ALEX GUTTERIDGE Read Free Book Online Page B

that ran along the centre of the landing. Dad leaped off the stool and made a dash for the corner of the room.
    â€œLaura!” Mum opened the door and stepped inside. “Are you all right? I thought I heard voices. Why is your light on? Can’t you sleep?”
    She sniffed the air.
    â€œWhat’s that smell? It reminds me of…”
    She shook her head.
    â€œNo, it can’t be.”
    â€œWhat smell, Mum?”
    She frowned.
    â€œI just got a whiff of something. It smelled like your father’s favourite aftershave.”
    She shivered.
    â€œSilly me. I’m imagining things.”
    She stared at the pile of clothes in the middle of the floor. I expected her to say something but she looked distracted as she bent down and picked them up, draping everything back onto the chair. Then she spotted the goose.
    â€œOh dear, what’s happened here?” I glanced at Dad, who appeared to be frantically trying to fade and not making a particularly good job of it from what I could see.
    â€œI-I got up to go to the toilet and knocked it off.”
    â€œWho were you talking to?”
    I paused, wondering whether to tell her the truth but Dad was making panic-stricken gestures and mouthing, “No, no, no,” over and over again.
    â€œNo one,” I said, thinking that I sounded totally unconvincing. “I was probably saying things in my sleep.”
    â€œYou’ve never done that before,” Mum replied, bending down. “It must be all the stress.”
    Tentatively she picked up the broken goose.
    â€œOh dear. You have made a mess of this. I think it’s beyond repair.”
    As she turned and walked towards the cornerto drop the pieces in the bin, Dad flattened himself against the wall with a look of alarm on his face. Surely she would see him and for some peculiar reason he didn’t want her to.
    â€œMUM! STOP!”
    She turned back towards me and a little whoosh of relief filled the room as Dad wiped a hand theatrically across his forehead.
    â€œCan you put the goose here?” I patted my bedside table. “Liberty gave it to me so it’s special. I don’t just want to chuck it. I’ll look at it in the morning.”
    She dropped the broken china onto a tissue and placed it next to me.
    â€œBrr!” she said, shivering and pulling her dressing gown around her. “This room is so cold tonight. I can’t think why. It’s quite warm outside. Do you want a hot-water bottle?”
    I lay back down, suddenly desperate to get rid of her, desperate to get Dad to myself before he disappeared into thin air.
    â€œNo, I’m good, thanks.”
    She stroked my cheek.
    â€œYou do look pale. I hope you’re not coming downwith something.”
    She leaned over to kiss me.
    â€œIt’s going to be all right, Laura, us living here, isn’t it?”
    I looked up into her soft, hazel eyes.
    â€œYes, Mum. I’m sure it’s going to be fine.”
    â€œI don’t want you to feel that you’re missing out on loads of excitement.”
    I looked over her shoulder, towards Dad.
    â€œDon’t worry, Mum,” I said, faking a yawn and half closing my eyes. “I’m sure there’ll be loads of exciting things happening. Just not quite what I’m used to.”
    â€œPhew!” Dad murmured when she had gone. “That was a close call.”
    I sat up in bed. He moved away from the corner, and shook himself as if to relieve some tension.
    â€œShe couldn’t see you, could she?” I whispered.
    â€œNo, thank goodness. I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to or not.”
    â€œIt’s a pity. She’d have loved it. I’m sure she would.”
    â€œHmm, maybe.”
    â€œSo why couldn’t she see you and I can?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s to do with heightened sensitivity and expectations. As you said, you’ve been looking for me for a long