Page 156 - My Home on the Earth

Although it was over five years since her last visit, she and Robin had done the trip to France many times, so she felt comfortable driving alone to her destination. A quick telephone call to their old friends, Simone and Gregg, promised a warm welcome and she couldn’t wait to leave. Before going back to bed, she packed a suitcase and wrote a brief letter to her neighbour, Joan, telling her she was going away and the key, if needed, was in its usual place.
****
In the morning, Elise got up, prepared her breakfast and sat in the window. She’d sent a text to Cara and last night the messages flew back and forth in favour of Alice and her holiday. Both decided to keep the information from
their mums.
Her dad came in to sit with her. ‘Would you like to go
swimming?’ Elise declined but quickly added she’d love to take the dinghy out instead. He smiled and went upstairs to tell Emily.
Out on the water, Elise listened to her dad for instruction and between them, they covered a large stretch of water spotting a few seals along the way. ‘I wish I’d brought my camera. I bet I’ll never see them again.’
Securing the dinghy on the trailer, Steve leaned against the car to apologise to her. ‘You didn’t deserve that, Elise. Neither did Cara or Grandma. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.’
‘Why?’ she asked, linking her arm through his.
‘Because I panicked when Alice told me that Jake was spotted in the town and also outside your school. I
150