Chapter 7.

I had woken up early the next morning and as I heard dad leave for the palace and busy in the kitchen packing her lunch for work, I quietly heaved a suitcase out from under my bed.

I dragged it into my en-suite to hide it from mum as I started thrifting through my things, deciding what was the most important to pack. I folded each item and squished it in as tightly as I could, so I could fit most of my clothes in. I looked over at my bedside table as my eyes wandered over the collection of photo frames I had that held pictures of me with my parents, my uncle and two of me with my grandmother. I grabbed one of my thick woollen scarfs and carefully wrapped it around all of the frames, not wanting to leave any behind. I gulped down a lump in my throat at the thought of never being face to face with my parents or Uncle Frank again. But, today had to be my last day and tomorrow morning before dad leaves for work, I’d say my last goodbyes with pretence of excitement to be leaving. I knew th