Chapter 22

It was several weeks into the school term when Byron raced up to Step in a state of great excitement.

“Dad says you can come over and stay for the weekend.  That is, if you want to.  He’s also arranged for Tear to come as well, to keep my sister company. Will you come?  Please, please.”

Step thought back to his last visit.  Byron had behaved in an immature and selfish manner and really spoilt the visit for the others but he seemed to have changed, so Step nodded enthusiastically and said he would check with Nurse Smiley and Dr Goodheart.

On Saturday morning the blue and white Ford Fairlane pulled up outside the terrace house where Step lived.  He scrambled into the back seat while Byron’s dad put his bag in the boot. Bethany and Byron were already there but they still had to go to Tear’s house to pick her up.

Step wondered where Tear lived now and how she was settling in with her new family.  He found out fifteen minutes later as the car pulled up outside a small semi-detached house.  On the front veranda Tear stood beside her mother, who was holding the new baby.  They exchanged hugs and farewells before Tear climbed into the front seat next to Byron’s dad.  She turned to look at the three children in the back seat.

“I can’t believe this is happening.  Lovely to see you again, Bethany and…..Byron.  Oh Step, are you OK? Is everything all right with Nurse Smiley and Dr Goodheart? How is your new school?  How did you find Byron and Bethany?”

“OK, slow down,” said Step. “Everything is fine and Byron goes to my school so we are friends. What about you?  How is your new dad?  Does he treat you well?”

“Oh yes! I have to help a lot with the baby but I enjoy doing that and it gives my mum a break as she is always tired.  My new dad is away at work a lot so I don’t see much of him. He’s promised to be home all weekend to help mum while I’m away.”

The four children chatted constantly on the way to Byron and Bethany’s  house.  They had to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and drive along windy and hilly roads until they reached the semi-circular driveway in front of the imposing villa.

Step waved to Tear as she disappeared with Bethany.  He wished he could talk to her some more but resigned himself to a weekend with Byron.  He was fearful that it would turn out like last time, with Byron losing his temper when things didn’t go his way.

Byron seemed genuinely different.  He asked Step what he would like to do and didn’t complain even when he lost at some game or other.

Byron turned on the TV.  “I watch the news now so that I can keep up with what is happening in the world.”

The TV screen showed a newsreader talking.  A headline flashed across the screen.    CONVICTED CRIMINAL ESCAPES GAOL

“Quick, turn the sound up,” said Step. “That face looks familiar.”

Sure enough, it was the man who had attacked Sad’s aunt and uncle.  Sad had just testified in court with the result that the man had been sentenced to 25 years gaol.  Apparently the man had hidden in a dirty clothes basket and been carried out to freedom in a laundry truck.

Step quickly told Byron the whole story.  He was worried that Sad might be in danger as the escaped prisoner could be seeking revenge on the boy who put him away.

“He would be too busy trying to escape recapture to hurt Sad, surely,” said Byron. “I wonder if there is anything we can do to help?”

“We can tell Tear and Bethany.  After all, Tear is Sad’s friend, so she might know what we can do.”

Tear was shocked when she heard the news but couldn’t think of any way to help except to warn Sad.

“Maybe we can ask Byron’s dad or mum if we can use the phone?  We need to get Sad’s phone number but only Nurse Smiley would know that.  I say we ring Nurse Smiley.”

Byron’s mum was resting in her room but they found Byron’s dad in his study.  He listened carefully to the story told by Step, with occasional interruptions from Tear and agreed to ring the house where Step lived.

Asking the children to wait outside the glass French doors, he dialled the phone and could be seen talking to someone.  

Ushering them back in the room, he sat down and ran his hands through his hair.

“Nurse Smiley is going to contact Sad’s parents although I’m sure they are aware of the situation.  I think it best if you just try to continue enjoying your weekend as there is nothing you can do.  I’m sure Sad will be protected if necessary.”

Step had to admit he enjoyed his stay with Byron and Bethany.  He realised how much he had missed Tear and was able to spend some time catching up on her news.  However, an uneasy feeling lurked in the back of his mind as he thought of Sad and the danger he might be in.

That feeling became stronger when he arrived back at the terrace house.  The TV was on and Nurse Smiley, Dr Goodheart, Peter, Tom, Rose and Wattle were clustered around it.

“Step,” Nurse Smiley stood between him and the TV screen. “Come into the kitchen with me please.”

She sat him down and held both his hands.

“It seems that Sad has disappeared.  The police think he may have been kidnapped by Phineas Crowe, the man who attacked his aunt and uncle.  Believe me, they are doing everything they can to get him back.”

END OF CHAPTER 22