The Own Goal ✔️

Part 27

1st January 2019

I wake up and glance at the clock on the bedside table. 10.30am. wow, I must have really needed that sleep.

I listen. Nothing. I know he isn't there, but I reach back with my leg before I turn over.

Jack's side of the bed is cold and empty.

I pick up my phone.

No notifications or missed calls.

I laugh to myself. I must be a total saddo to not have a single text to wake up to on New year's Day.

Obviously my boyfriend going awol on me isn't my only issue. Boyfriend......

I climb out of bed and spot one of Jacks Balenciaga hoodies on the floor. I put it on over my pajamas and open the bedroom door.

I listen for signs of life. Nothing.

The landing is galleried and from where I stand I can see the driveway through the huge window that slants across the front of the house from the roof to the front door. There's no new cars out there. The gate is still shut. The front door however now has keys hanging from the lock.
I had left my keys on the side after I locked the door last night to enable Jack to unlock the door from the outside when he got home. So he was here somewhere if the door had been re locked.

As I descend the stairs I spot a pair of shoes in the hall and my heart freezes.

Gold high heeled sandals.

I glance back to the door. Those aren't Jack's keys. They undoubtedly have a key to this house on them, but they are not keys I've ever seen before.

I wish I'd brought my phone down now.

Both the media room and lounge are empty.

I head into the kitchen and as I turn the corner I spot the slender female feet hanging off the edge of the sofa.

I approach and let out a massive sigh of relief when I see it's Kiera. I then spot another girl who I assume is a friend of hers, sleeping on the floor next to her.

I gently wake Kiera.

"Ello?" She turns to me bleary eyed.

"Where's Jack?" I whisper

"Erm here?" She looks at me, it's a question.

"No, he isn't here"

She sits up. "I dunno? He went home before us!"

"What so he didn't come home with you?"

"Nah, he went first, he said to us to come back 'ere so not to wake mom up.......I thought he was already here when we got back?"

I turn to head upstairs to grab my phone.

As I turn the corner out of sight I hear Kieras friend start to speak. I hear her clearly.

"Told ya he went back to Stacey's"

I step back into the room.

"What did you just say?"

Kiera and her friend look at me, horrified that I heard.

"She dunno wot she's sayin' she don', she was wasted Chelsea" Kiera starts.

I look at the young girls in front of me.

"Kiera, if you want to be a part of your nieces life, please tell me everything"

Kiera looks like a child whose been caught out.
"Stacey was at the club. they were just chatting to start with, Jack were actually showin' her pictures of ya scan.......we went to dance an' we got back......"