November-Charlie by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page A

Nichola what you’re planning.” Staci pouted.
    Jim sighed heavily and folded his arms across his chest, his eyes narrowing. “Fine. Three minutes and counting.”
    Lou nodded and headed into her room. She pulled the packs from the wardrobe and handed one to Staci. “Should I leave a note?”
    Staci nodded. “Hide it where she won’t find it until it’s too late though.”
    Lou grinned. “I know where to put it.” Short, sweet and to the point, and scoring minus five out of ten for tact she wrote: ‘ Mum, We can’t sit here while the authorities have stopped looking for Di and Bill. We don’t think that’s right, Jim’s convinced they are still alive, so we’ve gone to look for them. We’re taking the boat. Love you. Lou, Jim, Staci and Deefer xxx ’
    Lou shoved the note in an envelope and put it under her duvet. Deefer, knowing something was going on, bounded round excitedly and charged back out into the hall.
    “Deefer, stop it,” Jim said crossly. “Otherwise you stay here. I’ve fallen over you twice now.” He stuck his head around the bedroom door. “Are you two coming or not?”
    “Yes,” Lou put on her backpack, watching Staci do the same, then they followed Jim to the door.
    At the corner of the road, Lou turned and took a last look at the flats. A strange feeling welled up inside her—a curious mixture of fear, and excitement. Shaking it off, she adjusted the pack and wrapped Deefer’s lead around her wrist. “To the river then?”
    Jim shot her a funny look. “What?” He lowered his voice. “You’re meant to be going around the block.”
    “And Staci wants to say goodbye,” Lou hissed back. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Well, there’s no point me going around the block if you still want to walk by the river, is there?” she said in her normal voice. She watched the penny drop in his eyes and grinned at him. “Yes, I was a spy in my former life.”
    She began to walk towards the river as nonchalantly as she could. Her heart was racing. What if Mum came back unexpectedly and caught them? What if something happened and…she broke off the thought. She was being silly. Jim was right. This was a cinch and nothing would go wrong.
    The road was surprisingly busy. Cars passed them, every one making her afraid they would be caught. They hadn’t got far when a car passed them, slowed and stopped.
    “Act normal,” Jim said.
    “I’m walking the dog, you’re the one running away,” Lou said.
    They drew level with the car and the window wound down. “Fancy a lift, mate?”
    “Matt.” Jim said. “What are you doing here?”
    “Thought I’d save you a walk.”
    “Thanks that would be good.” Jim looked at Lou. “Are you still coming to say goodbye?”
    She gave him her best ‘are you kidding me’ look. “Uh…what do you think? Got to make sure you get on the boat, haven’t I?”
    Matt got out of the car and opened the boot of his hatchback. He put the bags in and Deefer hopped in too. “Well-trained dog, that,” Matt said. He shut the boot and the four of them strapped themselves in. He pulled away and drove towards the boat yard. He and Jim chatted in the front, while the two girls in the back watched the houses go by.
    Staci nudged Lou. “How do we do this?” she whispered.
    “I have a plan. Just agree with whatever I say.”
    Matt drove through the gates into the yard and over to Avon . She bobbed up and down on the water, as it lapped quietly against her hull. “Here you are,” he said, as he parked the car.
    “Thanks,” Jim said. “What’s the earliest I can leave in the morning?”
    Matt handed him the keys to the boat. “I’m in at seven, so any time after that. Just come up to the office for a sec and make sure your shipping plan is filed. Then you’re good to go.”
    Lou looked at Jim. “Give me the keys and we’ll put the bags on the boat for you, then we’ll go home.” She hugged him tightly. “Have a safe trip and text me