Everything We Keep Di Walker (free ebook novel .txt) 📖

‘So that’s me covered, now what about you?’ All three were looking at Agatha.

‘I’m okay. Katherine will let me go.’

‘You’re so lucky to be able to do whatever you want,’ Morgan said. ‘I wish my parents would let me just do whatever, like yours do.’

Agatha shrugged. One look at her parents and she knew Morgan wouldn’t be thinking that she’s lucky.

‘So, Saturday it is. I’ll meet you at the station. I can get there around 9. What about you?’

‘Sure,’ said Agatha.

‘This is so exciting!’ said Morgan, jumping up and down on the spot. ‘I wish we were all going.’

Tully glanced at Agatha. ‘Maybe next time,’ she said.

The bell rang and the four realised they were going to be late to class if they didn’t hurry. Within a few seconds the corridor was completely empty.

30

‘Are you sure?’

Katherine had driven Agatha to the train station. It was 0840 and they sat in her car in the station’s car park.

‘Yeah. I’m sure.’

Agatha had waited until the evening before, Friday night fish and chips on the bench under their tree, looking out over the bay, to tell Katherine about the plan. She had decided to tell Katherine everything. The whole plan.

Katherine wanted to drive them there, take her and Tully and be there for Agatha, in case Tully’s reaction wasn’t what Agatha was hoping for. But Agatha had insisted that she go just with Tully. Katherine reluctantly agreed, on the condition that if anything happened, Agatha would call her, and she would come and get her. ‘Tully has a mobile phone,’ Agatha had said. ‘I’ll let you know what happens.’

When the bus pulled up, across the street, Agatha waited until she saw Tully get off and cross the road before she got out of the car. At the last moment, Katherine leaned over and took hold of Agatha’s arm. ‘Remember, whatever happens, Chief and I will be waiting for you.’ Agatha nodded and smiled.

‘I know.’

Agatha met Tully at the entrance to the station and without looking back, the two walked in together.

‘Do you remember the day we met on the train, when it was raining?’ Agatha asked Tully as they headed to the platform for city bound trains.

‘Yeah. Why?’

‘You asked your dad if you could go on the trains by yourself and he said, ‘one day’, and now you are doing it.’

‘Technically I’m not by myself, so it’s not like I’m breaking a rule or something.’ Tully let out a laugh. ‘I’m breaking so many rules!’ Her hands flew up to her face as she pretended to be shocked. It made Agatha laugh.

Both had small backpacks, with water bottles and snacks. Katherine had insisted that Agatha have enough food for the day. She hadn’t queried why Agatha needed to take a whole packet of gingernut biscuits. Katherine had also given her extra ‘just in case’ money, although Agatha wasn’t sure what that really meant.

When the train arrived, they both got on to a half full carriage finding a seat near a family who were also travelling into the city. The excitement of the trip wasn’t even close to subsiding. The rocking motion of the train, calmed Agatha, just as it had done on that first trip.

Being an express train, they reached Flinders Street station in less than forty minutes. Arriving into the heart of the city was a thrill for Tully. She walked next to Agatha with a spring in her step and was talking so quickly that Agatha couldn’t catch every word. She led the way through the maze of people to the platform that they needed for the train to Greensward. The large sign that hung over the platform, showed the times and stops for the next train. They would have to wait a few minutes.

‘Which is your stop again?’

‘Greensward,’ Agatha said, not missing the flicker of concern that had passed over Tully’s face.

‘Right. Greensward. Okay.’ Tully turned her head away, as if looking around for something. Agatha could read faces. She knew what Tully’s said.

‘We can go back if you want.’

‘What? No. I just realised I hadn’t asked you where you actually lived, that’s all.’

‘We can go back, Tully.’

Tully moved so that she stood right in front of Agatha, looking directly into her eyes. ‘Really, it’s fine.’

The train trip from Flinders to Greensward took only twenty-four minutes. The two friends sat side by side in silence.

Once they arrived, Agatha pointed to the exit. ‘The bus is through there.’

Tully nodded. ‘Okay. Nearly there.’ Agatha noted the cheerful Tully had disappeared.

They weren’t the only ones waiting for a bus. When it finally came the door in the middle opened and people tumbled off, as the door at the front opened and everyone waiting bustled in. There were no double seats left for Agatha and Tully to sit together, but they managed to sit a few seats apart, Agatha sat next to a young man who was reading something his phone, and Tully next to a plump elderly woman who was taking up more than her half the seat.

As the bus weaved its way through the suburban streets, Agatha kept an eye on the passing buildings and street names. ‘Next stop,’ she mouthed to Tully, who nodded.

By the time they stepped off the bus they had been travelling for just over an hour and a half. The morning sun was already strong, the heat of the day was going to settle in early. Under the shade of the bus stop, Tully looked in both directions along the busy road. ‘Which way?’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Stop asking me that Agatha. I’ve had plenty of chances to change my mind and I haven’t. So which way?’

Agatha pointed along the road. That way. A couple of blocks then we turn to the left. A few more streets and we’re there.’

‘Okay. Let’s go.’ Tully adjusted her backpack and started walking in the direction Agatha had pointed. Agatha remained glued to the spot. Tully stopped and turned back. ‘Have you changed your mind?’

Agatha shook