Don't Go Out In The Woods Today

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

I was kind of angry with myself for giving up so easily, I could’ve threatened to call the police if he didn’t get out but no I backed down like always. When I was sure he’d left the premises I returned to the sofa and slumped down staring at my battle wounds, well that’s a good start to the summer holidays. The skin on my leg he’d touched still buzzed with electricity I re-ran the scene in my head, his eyes were like grey pools of molten silver, the way he ran his fingers through his hair made me shudder. I snapped out of my mindless daydream and carried on with my day which consisted of cleaning the whole house from the kitchen to the bathroom, changing my bed sheets and doing the laundry. I was physically drained and my legs were killing me by the time I’d finished.

 I sat alone in the depleted house, sitting at an empty table. A steaming plate of pasta sat in front of me with a knife and fork laid either side, I took a deep breath through my nose as my eyes simultaneously closed. I reflected on the year that had passed so quickly I just hope all the hard work, the exams, the sleepless nights trying to cram in all last bits of revision. I just hope it showed in our results that we’d be getting in four weeks’ time. I blew the past year away as I exhaled feeling a weight being lifted off my shoulders, the stress was gone for the next six weeks but after that I have one more year to work my arse off and get the best possible grades. I need to get that place studying medicine at university if I want to be a doctor. Next year they’ll be no room for mistakes, it’s all or nothing. I gave myself a reassuring smile before picking the fork up and stabbing a twist of pasta, eating alone…again.

Saturday 1st September

Summer had come and passed, the weather throughout August had been mostly sunny which is quite rare for England we even had a few heat waves. I spent almost every day with Ellie popping into town, swimming in the lake; we even volunteered to walk her neighbour’s dog to help pass the time. I was still alone, Mum and Dad were still in Australia looking after nanny. I’m starting to doubt that they even want to come back, do they even miss me? One thing I love about the new school year is the organisation. I love going to a stationary shop and buying brand new pens, pencils, highlighters, folders, notebooks all ready and neatly packed in a brand new school bag- it’s sad to think that’s the best part of the school year. I was in an optimistic mood after receiving my fist year grades two weeks ago, I got three A’s and a B- I know it’s not straight A* but if I keep on working hard and sustain the grades I’ll be on my way to getting into one of the best medical schools in the country.

Six o’clock and the last of the sun was forcing its way through the clouds that remained from yesterday’s well needed outburst of rain. The garden looked refreshed. Carrying an overflowing basket full of wet washing I struggled to the washing line which was stretched out on the lawn, the basket hit the grass with a hollow thump. After filling the line up with washing I leaned up stretching my spine and rubbed my back with my hands. In the corner of my eye I saw a small orange blur shoot across the gravelled driveway.

“Tom.” I taunted knowingly before tiptoeing towards the hedge I saw him disappear into, I whistled lightly. Tom came strolling out from the hedge and enthusiastically ran to me rubbing his cheek along my leg while purring, Tom is a ginger tom cat that belongs to Kimberley who lives near Ellie.

“I know what you want you don’t need to butter me up.” I stroked in between his ears “stay there I’ll get you some milk” I left him rolling about on a patch of grass while I popped inside and put a puddle of cool milk on a small plastic plate. When I returned Tom was nowhere to be seen

“Tom?” I called out, standing outside I looked around confused. Where has he gone? Looking to my left down the driveway and onto the road Tom was lying in the middle of the small country lane, the lane was the width of one car and it wasn’t in the best of conditions. It was plagued with potholes strands of grass and weeds forced their way through cracks in the centre- I’m surprised it’s even classed as a road. On the other side of the road was a small hill of grass separating the road from a field full of corn waiting to be harvested.