Spitting Image • TFC 3.0 • l.t. au

Chapter Fifty Seven

57

Louis went out that afternoon with Harry, leaving me with the kids as usual. Only this time, I was glad he did because I don't know how I can look at him without crying or thinking about Catherine.

I was done making dinner when I hear a thud from upstairs. And another one. And another one. And another one. What is going on up there? Curiously, I put down the towel on the chair and went upstairs.

I checked Summer and Seth's room first but it's empty. Well, not really clean but not exactly occupied as well. Then I went to Louise room which had a massive difference from the Twins' room. Every pillow in place, nothing is scattered on the floor and her desk is tidy as usual. I close the door and opened Blaine's room.

The three of them are sat in a circle on Blaine's bed while Blaine himself was standing in the corner with his arms crossed.

"Summer, you're intruding... And overreacting. stop it." Blaine scolds his little sister but Summer wouldn't stop.

They don't seem to realise I was there, they were too busy in their own conversation. "If I'm overreacting, then you're saying mum is too. I don't think she was, though."

"Dad wouldn't do something like that," Louise butts in. "You're in over your head, Summer, as usual."

"I am not!" She raises her voice. "I heard everything and I wouldn't be saying this if it were a lie!"

"Just ask mum for the truth-" Seth starts but was cut off by Louise.

"Absolutely not!" Seth gave her a confused look, "Why? Because that's rude and stupid, Seth! And do you really think if it's true, she'd really tell us?"

Seth looks up and makes eye contact with me. He stiffens and looks frightened as he nudged Summer. Then three heads turned in my direction at once with a look of terror.

"You all seem a bit busy." I say to them as I step into the room. "Did you want to ask me something?" I ask them, crossing my arms.

The four of them exchanged glances nervously. Every time I make eye contact with them, they look down and fiddle with their fingers, Summer especially. "Nothing?" I ask them one more time.

"What happened to dad last night, mum?" Blaine asks, breaking the silence. All three of them looked at their older brother in surprise. Louise gave him a warning look but Blaine dismissed it as much as possible.

"You idiot." Louise murmurs.

"No, I will tell you." I say, catching them by surprise. "You all deserve to know." I tell them, catching their full attention. "And next time, I'd appreciate it if you don't talk about this behind my back, understood?"

They all nod at me slowly. They all look guilty which they should be. We taught them to be open with us and this is behaviour is not acceptable in this household.

"Your dad went to his university reunion last night," I tell them. "He was with your Uncle Harry and Aunt Milly and... He got drunk. He separated from then and from then on out, they couldn't find him-"

"He went missing?" Blaine asks, confusedly.

"For a while, we did thought he was missing. But he came home this morning. That's all there is to it. Nothing more." I tell them.

To be honest, they all look quite disappointed. However I was glad they let the matter drop. This is not the end of it. I know better, though. I know better what's going on, I know this isn't the end of the tale. But I can't tell them that. I have to get to the bottom of this.

~~~

Next morning, Milly and I went out for coffee before work. I've just found out Milly's been hired by BBC as their make up artist for a series this spring and I'd be able to see her in the studio complex a lot now.