Six Days, Six Hours, Six Minutes
Page 42
“Evie’s pooped herself,” said Alice with an unkind laugh.
“I haven’t! You have!” she retaliated.
“You’ve pooped your pants!”
“I’ll poop in your pants!” Evie squealed.
At this, Kett almost managed a smile. He slowed, scanning the street names, finding the one he wanted and turning the car off the main road. Only when he saw the house ahead did he remember to breathe, and it felt like the first breath he’d taken all day, flooding his body with relief. The girls sensed it, all of them falling quiet.
The street was busy, cars parked up both sides, and Kett had to drive halfway up before he found a space. He pulled in, bumping up onto the kerb. Then he switched off the engine, and for a single, blissful moment there was no sound at all other than the gentle whisper of the wind in the trees outside.
“Is this it?” screeched Alice at a thousand decibels. “Are we here?”
He nodded and they broke into cheers that could have shattered every window on the street, Moira making a noise that might have been joy or might have been terror—Kett wasn’t sure. He opened his door, the hinges squeaking almost as much as his joints did as he climbed out and straightened up. Alice had already unbuckled herself and was climbing into the front.
“No!” yelled Evie, wrestling with her bumper seat. “Wait for me!”
Kett closed his eyes, pushing down on a sudden wave of anxious energy. What he wouldn’t give to have Billie here right now, her soothing voice, her smile. She would have calmed the girls in a heartbeat.
But she’s gone, he reminded himself. She’s gone.
He opened his eyes, liquid sunlight searing its way into his head.
“Come on,” he said, helping Alice out of the car. “Let’s go start our new life.”
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