Runaway/Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Presents

We bought Rex a blue leash and a collar too. We went for a walk in the park, but it began to rain so we had to go home!
Mums birthdays coming up! I need to buy her something!
I go to bed in the dark guest room. I feel scared and alone.
I've been alone all my life... But now I have Mum! I don't need to be alone anymore. I slip out of bed and leave Rex in the room. I creep into Mums bed and pull the blanket over my head.
I can feel Mum wrapping her arms around me. I move closer towards her
and we sleep cuddled together.
I wake up and Mum has already gotten out of bed. I wander into the bathroom and brush my teeth.
When they turned sparkly white, I raced downstairs in search for Mum.
No sign of her.
I open the cupboard and get out some cereals. Pouring milk into a bowl I put in the cereals too.
That's when I notice a stinky note on the fridge.

'Dear Jessica darling,
I am SOO sorry.. But my boss called me and said I needed to come to work or I would get fired. Sorry honey. Will you be ok by yourself? I will be back at 3. Don't go outside. I have locked the door and the key is in my room- under the carpet.
Eat some breakfast and see if you can find something for lunch.
Love
Mum -kiss kiss
xoxo

I smile at the note. I sprint back upstairs, after eating my cornflakes.
I rush to my backpack and check for money. I have £3. I put my jeans and warm t-shirt on. I grab the key from under the rug. Running down the stairs, yet again, I check in the old money box Mum has in the cupboard.
Luckily there was £5 inside.
£8. I'm sure I can get a nice present for that. I race out the door and search for shops. Nearly a kilometre away I find a small newsagents. Maybe I could ask them where I can get a nice present.
"Excuse me, where could I find a present for my Mum. I'm new to Liverpool!"
The shopkeeper stared at me.
"Your.. Your.. Your Sophie's daughter aren't you?"
I nod.
"Well.. You need to go up the this road for about 10 minutes then turn left. Plenty of shops down there!"
"Thank you! I didn't ask. How do you know it's me?"
"You look like her twin?!"
I giggle and run down the road and slide left.
A dozen shops were bunched up together, in the middle of a row of houses. They blended in so well I nearly passed them.
I entered a small shop called
'Cardz 4 U.'
Two other people were inside and were looking at wrapping paper and gift vouchers.
I asked a lady, with a black uniform that read 'CARDZ!' at the back, where I would find birthday presents for Mums. She pointed the middle of the store.
I hovered over a magnet that said,'I love you! Do you?'
Then I wanted to get her a perfume bottle; but it was £10.
Finally I found a £7.50 spa set.
Inside was candles (that smelt of roses) there was a shampoo, soap, conditioner, a manicure kit and a small box of blush, eye shadow and lip gloss.
I paid for it at the counter as well as some wrapping paper.
I don't know how I managed it- but on the way home I wrapped up the spa kit, WHILE RUNNING!
I got home just in time. 2:50.
Mum would get back in 10 minutes.
I quickly hid the present in the store room.
She will never find it there!
Just after I closed the door to the store room Mum walked in through the door.
She wrapped me up in her arms.
"What have you been up to all day? I missed you! I'm so sorry honey. If I didn't go u would get fired."
"I know! It's ok! I missed you too!"
"Did you have lunch?"
"I was busy!"
"With what?" Mum looked worried.
"Nothing much!" I replied hastily.
Rex (luckily) ran downstairs and started barking for food!
"Get him something to eat till you darling! I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back in a minute."