Free Pathway to Tomorrow by Sheila Claydon Page A

Although the color had faded from her cheeks, Jodie’s voice was shaking.
    “Maybe she does…know better I mean.  Maybe she’s just trying to push you in the direction I’m trying to lead you.  I want to whisper sweet nothings into your ear. You know I do. I want you Jodie.”
    “Don’t Marcus.  And please don’t call me any more…I…I can’t do this.”
     
    * * *
     
    It was three days before Marcus managed to speak to her again. Three days of ignored calls. Three days where she deleted every single voice mail without listening to it.
    Izzie cracked first.  She had spent every moment since that fatal phone call making silent atonement.  Her bedroom was so tidy she could actually find things.  She hadn’t demurred when Jodie suggested extra studying either. Nor had she complained when one of the stable girls went down with a stomach bug and she had to get up an hour earlier to help out with the horses before school.  She’d done all the washing up too, without being asked, but enough was enough.  If Jodie wouldn’t talk to her about it, then maybe Marcus would.
    Removing her sister’s cell phone from the breakfast table when her back was turned, she found Marcus’ number and called him.  He answered straight away.
    “Jodie?”
    “No.  It’s Izzie. Marcus I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “You didn’t upset me.  It’s Jodie you need to apologize to.”
    “I’ve tried, but she won’t talk about it.  Actually she’s not really talking about anything much right now. That’s why I’m calling. I don’t know what else to do.”
    “Where is she?”
    “Outside with Bucky.  She’s saddling him up for his morning ride. She doesn’t know I’ve taken her phone.”
    Thanking the god of small mercies that Izzie seemed to be devoid of any sort of moral compass when it came to other people’s property, Marcus allowed himself a moment of hope.
    “Perhaps you’d better return it.”
    “You’ll talk to her?”
    “Of course I will, if she’ll let me.  Just take the phone out to her.”
    “Okay,” he could hear the relief in her voice. Then the tension came back.  “Why is she doing this Marcus?  Why won’t she speak to you?”
    “Because she’s scared.”
    “Scared because I want to sing? Scared because I’m going to leave home?”
    His voice was sharp as he replied.  “Although you might find this difficult to accept, not everything revolves around you, even though your sister makes it seem that way. This is about Jodie and her feelings.”
    “Her feelings for you?”
    He sighed.  “Maybe.  Now take me out to her please, before she sets off.”
    He heard a lot of background noises as she zipped up her school bag, grabbed her blazer, and hurried out into the yard. Then he heard the sharp clop of a horse’s hooves on the paving and a muffled conversation. Suddenly Izzie’s voice was clear again.
    “Gotta run.  The school bus will be here any minute.  Bye Jodie.”  There was a pause, and then she added, “Oh, I nearly forgot.  Here’s your phone. You left it on the table. You’ve got a call.”
    He grinned.  Trespasser, thief, liar, was there no end to her criminal tendencies? Then he forgot all about her because Jodie was on the phone.
    “Jodie its Marcus.  Please don’t hang up...and don’t be cross with Izzie either because she’s only doing what she thinks is right. She’s worried about you and so am I.”
    “Well you don’t need to be.  I’m fine.  I just think it’s better if we take a break.  I’ll have to talk to you when you get back won’t I, because of Izzie’s music, and because you’re coming to the stables to check out the riding program.”
    Despite himself, he chuckled.  “You’re nothing if not tenacious.  I thought you’d have forgotten about that by now.”
    “Not a chance, not when I’m sure it will do Luke some good.”
    “Okay!  You win, but on two conditions.  The first is that you stop blocking my