Free Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe Page A

‘Well, if this one can keep her mouth shut long enough, then … we’ll see.’ He got to his feet. ‘Now it’s time for you to go back to the land of pennies and pounds.’ He lifted his arms and stretched, his T-shirt rising to reveal a firm, olive-skinned stomach. ‘You’ll need to close your eyes and tell yourself to go home.’
    Like Dorothy, clicking her red shoes together.
    ‘Is that all?’ I asked.
    ‘That’s all.’ He picked up my parka. ‘Here, I’ll help you with your coat.’
    I pushed my arms through while he held it. As I zipped it up I felt the underside rip noisily.
    Luca and Dalya regarded me, amused.
    ‘You need a new coat,’ said Luca, laughing. ‘You’ve grown out of that one.’
    ‘What are you, my mother?’ I grinned.
    Dalya rolled her eyes impatiently. ‘Come on,’ she whined. ‘I want to watch her go.’
    ‘Close your eyes,’ said Luca softly. ‘And give yourself the instruction.’
    I did as he said and pushed all thoughts out, except for one.
    Take me home.
    And the sounds of the water and the trees faded until there was nothing, except for the voice in my head.

CHAPTER NINE
     
    I  arrived back exactly where I had left, lying at the base of a tree. I opened my eyes slowly to see a familiar dusting of snow over the winter leaves and sat up, stiffly. I looked up at the sky, wondering if I had fallen straight through the universe from Nissilum. Did it exist in the universe? I shook my head. It wouldn’t help to analyse anything too much. None of it would make sense.
    I imagined my mother had been pacing the kitchen for hours by now, worried witless about where I’d got to, but when I walked through the back door, she was standing doing the washing-up, humming softly. At the sound of my footsteps, she turned and smiled at me.
    ‘Hello, darling. Nice walk?’
    I looked up at the clock. It was eleven-thirty. I’d left for my walk at a quarter to. I blinked. It wasn’t possible … Maybe time stands still in Nissilum.
    ‘Bobby’s in a strange mood.’ She peeled off her gloves and hung them over the tap. ‘Was he chasing after birds or something? He was all worked up.’
    I shrugged. ‘He was a little overexcited, that’s all.’
    ‘Hmmm.’ She looked at me. ‘Lunch will be ready in an hour. And Dot’s over at Cassidy’s house. Why don’t you go into the living room and talk to Dad.’
    It wasn’t a question, it was a sugar-coated order. Mum doesn’t like company while she’s cooking.
    ‘OK.’ I got up, unzipping my parka. ‘But I need to change first.’
    The living room door was closed as I went past to the stairs, and I heard a low voice and figured Dad was on the phone. In my bedroom, I quickly changed, putting on the first things I found on my chair.
    As I pulled my fingers through my tangled hair, my eyes fell on the photograph sitting on top of my chest of drawers. It was of my parents, back when they were first married. Mum was wearing a full-length, blue, satiny dress, her dark hair curled up in a chignon at the back of her neck. She looked stunning. I picked up the photograph and studied her face. I could see myself in her. My colouring and my eyes. I looked down at her dress, wondering if I’d ever look good in something so elegant and feminine. I shook my head. Would I ever make it to the Great Ball? Back on mortal Earth, Nissilum and its tranquil, luscious beauty was fading already.
    I replaced the photograph and opened the top drawer. There lay the notebook. Proof that Nissilum and Luca existed. I took it out and put it under my pillow so I could read it later in bed.
    I went downstairs and into the living room to find Evan sitting on the sofa with my dad. I blinked as Evan got quickly to his feet.
    ‘Oh hi.’ I covered my nerves by doing a quick inspection of my clothing. Not too bad: leggings, clean T-shirt and a short black cardigan. ‘Um, what are you doing here?’ I asked awkwardly.
    After our evening the week before, Evan had told me