Chapter Nine

 It was almost thirty minutes later when Pete finally emerged holding two large black bags. The big guy looked dangerous with his broad shoulders and muscled arms that made Connie react with fear when she saw him coming but Trish’s face was lit with excitement.

‘Finally you are here, for a moment I was beginning to think you had forgotten about us.’ Trish said with a huge grin on her face.

Dropping the garbage bags to unlock the door Pete barked, ‘Shut up young lady! Do not mistake my kindness for sympathy I am not your friend. Now get out of here and don’t ever show your faces in this place in the afternoon again or you will live to regret it.’ he spoke as he half shoved the two girls out.

Connie looked at Trish’s stunned face and without another word she began to run and Trish followed close behind her, out of breath the two girls only stopped when they reached the car. Letting out a huge sigh of relief Connie began to laugh and Trish joined in.  

‘If I should ever set my feet in that place, please slap me. Did you see how he reacted at me? One would swear that this was not the same guy I had spoken to earlier, he was so rude and rough’ Trish bemoaned.

Connie could not stop laughing ‘When I saw him coming all my bones were knocking each other as I thought this was the end of us. Those men could make us disappear in an instant and imagine no one at home knows that we are even here.  My friend what can I say, you showed a lot of nerve talking to him in the first place. I applaud your courage.’

Smiling Trish said with a lopsided head. ‘Compliment me all you want but I will never do that again, ever!’ She spoke as she unlocked the car door and they hopped inside.

They drove in silence for some time  

 ‘Coming to think of it I suspect that there is more going on in that place and that the night club is just a cover. I am curious to find out what they are dealing in.’ Trish murmured

 Puzzled Connie asked ‘Are you out of your mind Trish? We narrowly escaped from that place and here you are thinking of meddling in their affairs, well you can count me out.’ 

 Laughing at her friend’s reaction Trish said,

‘I was just pulling your leg dear, why do you sound so serious? I wonder what Emma was thinking bringing us to that dangerous place. It will be wise for us to stay far away from it and I mean it.’  Trish spoke in a firm tone. 

The truth was that while they were at the Club, Trish decided to come back that evening, she was on an agenda. If indeed she was right in her suspicion about Emma tonight was the night she will shame her. This was the place she met Nick and she was secretly hoping to meet him or them again there. Tonight she was planning to dress with effort, it was time to show Emma that she too has what it takes. Trish thought as a smile slowly formed on her face.

 In a resigned tone Connie replied, ‘If I had not been in that place yesterday all this would not have happened so yes, I totally agree with you. You know what for a moment fear had made me to completely forget about Emma. I still can’t figure out why she did not return home.’ 

 Connie spoke as disappointment replaced her momentary joy. They were now back to square zero and she had no idea how she was going to face her parents. She silently hoped that Emma will eventually show up so she could breathe again.

 Annoyed by her friend’s reaction Trish looked at  Connie who appeared lost in thoughts and as always without thinking she said the first thing that came on her mind ‘Can you please stop that. I bet you, her parents are not half as worried as you are’ 

‘I had no idea that you are this cold Trish, anyway let’s just go home.’ Connie said with a frown.

‘Whatever.’ Trish thought quietly. The two girls drove in silence the rest of the way. The clock on the dashboard read 6:00pm as Trish pulled in front of Connie’s house a moment later. 

 ‘Trish, even though things did not turn out as we had hoped, I really appreciate that you came out to help me.’ Connie murmured.

 ‘Anytime dear, that’s what friends are for, right. If it was not late I would have come with you to talk to your parents but I better head home for supper I don’t want to keep everyone waiting. Keep me posted should there be any other developments.’ Trish smiled, glad to be leaving her at last.

 ‘I will and don’t forget to let me know you got home safe.’ Connie smiled as she opened the door. 

Just as Trish was pulling away, the front door of her house opened and to Connie’s amazement Emma came out accompanied by Connie’s mum and stepdad.

‘Trish! Trish, Stop! Look,’ Connie screamed as she rushed back to the road waving in excitement pointing in Emma’s direction

  There was a screeching sound of tyres as Trish applied her brakes. Looking up in the view mirror she saw the reason behind her friend’s scream, ‘I will be damned,’ she exclaimed as she began to reverse the car.

Connie ran to meet and hug her friend too stunned to speak 

‘Emma! Is that really you?’ Connie whispered as tears of disbelief filled her eyes.

‘Wow! Connie, of course it’s me I am sure I have not changed that much since the last time you saw me. Correct me if I am wrong but I have never seen you this happy to see me before, I can’t wait to hear the reason,’ Emma said before turning to Emma’s parents, ‘Thank you for the wonderful afternoon, those biscuits were really nice.’

‘You are welcome here anytime Emma. Hello Trish, its nice seeing you.’ Lora called out waving as Trish came to stand on the pavement with her friends.

Its nice to see you too Mrs.Bradwell. Good evening to you Mr.Bradwell.’ Trish saluted them with a smile that hid the fury in her heart, she could not wait to put her hands on Emma.

‘Good evening Trish. Well we will leave you girls alone, pass my regards to your parents for me Trish, will you?’James responded

Lora looked at her daughter smiling but James had a grim expression that Connie failed to understand.

‘Oh, of course I will do that.’ She replied smiling.

Lora and James had barely closed the front door when Trish turned to Emma with a cold glare, ‘So are you going to tell us were you where or you want us to ask and why the hell was your cellphone off?’

Ignoring her friend’s expression, ‘Easy there Trish, are you on your period or something? Can I have my hug first?’ Emma spoke as she reached out for a hug.

Pushing her hands away Trish grimaced ‘Not today Emma, you can reserve your hug for another day. Instead of your lovey-dovey act why don’t you begin by telling us where you spent your night notorious Emma.’