Emmie 12

On Wednesday morning Emmie and Yasmin caught the nine forty seven bus into town. Jenny had made an appointment at the hairdressers for eleven thirty so they were in good time.When they  arrived at ten thirty five Jenny was already waiting at the 137 bay. The arrangement was, that the two girls would meet up with Emmie at a quarter to one at the Criterion Grill for some lunch. The two girls embraced and walked briskly off in the direction of the town centre while Emmie waited for them to disappear and she slipped into The Copper Kettle behind the Bus Station for a quiet cup of tea.

She had just settled herself down when she noticed a discarded morning newspaper with the glaring headline " Local Girl Missing". She discretely moved to the adjacent table and took up the paper. There was a small picture of Yasmin in a dark jacket, probably school uniform, wearing her hijab. She could have easily been mistaken for a local nun. The paper was not local and had probably been brought in on a bus. Emmie now realised that the police would have been informed and there would be a general alert. Emmie finished her tea, put the paper in er bag and left the tearoom. 

She made her way slowly round the shops, stopping here and there to look at items of interest. She visited a speciality cheese shop and purchased a small piece of Stilton. She was very partial to the traditional Cropwell Bishop which  she thought had a particularly creamy texture. It was not cheap, but there again you get what you pay for. She also noticed an end of season sale at a rather posh shoe shop where a pair of rather stylish navy blue casual shoes caught her eye. She decided to try them but to her disappointment they were the only size left and they we're too loose, being a half size larger than her usual fit. There was some time left and she found a seat just by the central library and sat there in the late summer sunshine to have another look at the newspaper.

The report mentioned all the details; Yasmin Khan , eighteen, Asian, but also added the possibility that she may be trying to leave the country as she had taken her passport and her  savings. There was an intimation that an older male was involved but there was no real evidence. She closed and folded the paper and popped it into a waste bin on her way to the town centre and The Criterion Grill. The girls were waiting outside already. Yasmin was carrying a large Army & Navy bag and she looked quite  different.  The short haircut had  made  a profound difference to her appearance. She now bore little resemblance to the photograph in the paper.

They placed their order: Ham pineapple and chips for Jenny; Sirloin steak and chips with grilled tomato; and for Emmie Steak and kidney pie, chips and peas. While they were waiting Emmie told the girls about the newspaper article and they were duly surprised. Yasmin did not think her  father  would have allowed the news out so soon, or perhaps he had already sent people to search for her. She was afraid now because she could expect a beating if she was found and brought back. The secret must be tightly kept. Yasmin had also done some shopping, a pair of Wrangler jeans, Nike trainers, some undies and a cheap rucksack from The Army & Navy for £19,99. 
"Being prepared! ", thought Emmie, but she said nothing, preferring to wait and see.

Having eaten, they made their way to the Bus Station. Jenny just saw her bus beginning to board at he other end of the station. She made a hurried farewell and said she would be in touch tomorrow with the A level results. The 137 came just ten minutes after and they set off back. Reaching home Emmie tidied up and got her things ready for tomorrow. As it was results day she would have to get in earlier. She got out the ironing board and ironed her cream silk blouse which seemed to get itself crushed even when hanging in the wardrobe. Yasmin went upstairs taking a large slice of fruit cake and mug of tea saying that she was going to write up diary and have an early night.

Emmie opened her packet of Stilton to find that it had become rather moist. It had a tendency to sweat if kept wrapped and away from the fridge,  but at least,  it made it easy to  spread, without breaking the cream crackers. There was a tomato left in the fridge that would go nicely. She brewed herself a pot of Earl Grey and settled down to a distinctly favourite munch. David would have enjoyed this although he would have preferred a glass  of tawny port to go with the Stilton. She paused in reverie and smiled with the reminiscence. Shaking herself, she got up from the table and took the blue exercise book out of the dresser drawer. She began to make a list of the events as they had developed over the past few days.

At the end of this busy day she brushed her teeth and  prepared for bed, setting the alarm for seven thirty. 

When she awoke all was silent. She had a shower and put on a hint of make up, blusher and a suggestion of eye shadow and a touch of mascara. She believed in subtle decoration of her construction rather than wholesale construction of her decorations. Thus prepared she had a slice of toast and a cup of coffee, applied a smidgin of lipstick, donned her lightweight top coat and made for the door. She paused momentarily to consider whether to give Yasmin a call but thought  better of it as Jenny would probably call later with the results.

The atmosphere at school was electric with tension and by the time Emmie arrived, there was a long queue at the front door, not usually  used by pupils, unless late arrivals waiting to sign in. This was early. Emmie's  'excuse me' caused a slight parting in the crowd and she made her way to the office. The sense of urgency was palpable and Emmie immediately started to put the remaining printed results sheets in the named envelopes. The reception of the results was met with the whole gamut of adolescent responses through tears of joy to moans of disappointment. Once the results were through, Emmie's help was no longer needed and she got off home.

As she put her key in the door she felt a real flutter somewhere below her navel. The house was silent. She went into the kitchen and on the table was the note.

Dear Emmie 
A & 2 Bs, enough for my place. Thanks for everything. I have borrowed the brocade bag and will post it back with news. Thank you again.
Yasmin. X

Emmie walked slowly and rather sadly upstairs. Yasmin's room was clean and tidy and empty of any vestiges of occupancy. Emmie thought  of Filey.  Just as she turned to go downstairs the front doorbell rang. She could see two dark shadows through the glass. She opened the door to a policeman and WPC.

The bird had flown.

JL Sept 1st 17:53