Read Online Missing Abby by Lee Weatherly - Free Book Online Page A

I put the photo back, it bumped against a silver dragon figurine, knocking it over with a tiny clatter. I started to straighten it – and instead my hand closed around it, and I picked it up. Small, but heavier than it looked. It sat coiled in my palm, its wings flared open.
    A door banged shut downstairs, and my heart went berserk. I leapt for the corridor, closing the door behind me.
    Downstairs, Abby's father was still just sitting at the dining table, staring at photos. The door to the lounge had been shut; the sound of a TV drifted out.
    Abby's gran. My shoulders sagged with relief; I had thought that Mrs Ryzner and the twins might have come home. And if
Sheila
hated me, I could imagine how Greg and Matthew felt.
    ‘Well, um … I should probably go now, Mr Ryzner.’ My smile felt pasted onto my lips. ‘But if you have any spare posters that you'd like me to put up, just let me know, OK … ?’
    The hair lifted on my arms as Mr Ryzner glanced at me with a confused frown, like he didn't know who I was for a second. Then his face cleared and he stood up, clearing his throat. Suddenly he was Mr Efficient, all bustle and purpose.
    ‘Posters, yes, of course. Just wait a second, I'll get you a box.’
    As he went into the other room, I realized that Iwas still clutching the little dragon. I knew that I should turn around and put it straight back in Abby's room. Or at least chuck it on the piano or something, for someone to find later.
    But instead, I tucked it in my jeans pocket.
    As I rode the bus home, the posters sat perched on the seat beside me like a mute passenger. I stared at them, feeling like my stomach had been tied into one of those complex sailor's knots. Apart from everything else, I was supposed to be in Brookfield in about twenty minutes, to meet Jo and Debbie at the shops!
    The bus trundled slowly up Salt Hill. I had purposely placed the box so that I couldn't see Abby's photo on the poster taped to the front, but now I nudged it around, looking at her round-cheeked face.
    I wanted to help, I really did. But how was I supposed to put up posters? What if someone from Balden saw me doing it?
What's wrong, Emma? Lost your freaky friend? Ooh, I hope that nasty Esmerelda hasn't magicked her away!
    I slumped down in my seat, hating myself for being so craven.
    Finally I sent a text to Jo, saying I'd be late, and then got off the bus at my stop, dragging the heavy box the ten-minute walk to my house. I had sweat stains under my arms when I got there. But at least Jenny and Dad were out in the garden, so I was spared the interrogation. I could see them through the back door, along with Nat, who was dancing around in her bathing suit with a hose.
    I took the box upstairs and shoved it under my bed.
    I didn't know what to do with the dragon. I held it in my hand for a long time, feeling its weight. Finally I hid it in the drawer of my bedside table, shutting it away with pens and an old journal. And then felt a pang of sadness, like he might get lonely in there, all by himself.
    I shook my head, blowing my breath out in an irritated puff. Get a grip!
    I changed my shirt and left to go meet Jo and Debbie.
    ‘What do you think of this?’ Debbie leaned her sketchbook towards us. The three of us were sitting in Café Nero later that afternoon, drinking cappuccinos. Or fiddling with them, in my case.
    ‘Excellent! That's a complete award-winner!’ Jo sat propped forward in the silver café chair, inspecting Debbie's drawing. She had decided on a sort of harem theme, with hip-hugging swirly trousers and a scanty top.
    ‘Completely brilliant, Debs. I love the, um – purple bits.’ I looked down, stirring the chocolate into my coffee.
    There was a pause, and then Jo let out a breath. ‘Look, Ems, enough of this, OK? You're obviously really upset about Abby, and we don't think you should … pretend everything's OK.’
    Debbie nodded, snapping her sketchbook closed. ‘We're worried about you,’ she said flatly.