A Raucous Time

  Chapter Twenty-One

   

  Rhyllann stood blinking down at a concrete field. A group of executive style detached houses dwarfed the manicured gardens they stood in. They were saved; the nightmare was over. But even as the cousins watched, a small convoy of people carriers and shiny off roaders streamed out of the close heading away from the boys, presumably for the nearest town. With a gasp, Rhyllann broke into a run, splashing along the shallow river surging down the lane. They had to get a ride.

   

  Finally something went right. A Volvo estate was still loading up. As Rhyllann sprinted up the drive a man emerged from the house, carrying a baby’s car seat. Clutching his side, Rhyllann panted up to the car; the man’s head swung round then back as he hurriedly strapped the baby in. Wren limped into view as a woman in an identical grey track suit emerged pulling a large shaggy dog and a suitcase, behind her two kids of about eight smothered in bright orange waterproof capes struggled with a coolbox. Rhyllann swallowed hard, swiping a mat of hair from his forehead and tried to talk. The little family acted as though he wasn’t there. Even the dog didn’t bark.

  ‘Quickly Molly, next to your sister – Brian hurry – get the boot open.’ Brian's missus double locked the front door as she spoke.

  At last the words tumbled out: ‘Please – please we need a lift.’

  Now the woman was at the estate's boot urging the dog in, slamming it shut she hurried to get in the passenger seat. The man threw the elder girl with the coolbox into the car, strapping her next to the baby. Rhyllann rushed to his side, dragging at his sleeve feeling panicky.

  ‘Please – didn’t you hear me? Please!’

  The woman let down the driver’s window, leaning across to yell.

  ‘Clear off! I know your sort. Always holding out your hand for something!’

  The man shrugged Rhyllann's hand off, and without looking at him muttered: ‘I’m sorry – sorry – you can see for yourself – there’s no room.’

  ‘There’s plenty of room – we’ll sit in the back – with the dog!’ Rhyllann screeched. From the corner of his eye he saw Wren collapse against the garden wall. One of gran’s phrases sprung to his lips.

  ‘For the love of Christ help us!’ The two girls watched as though this was an act for their benefit. One started sniggering.

  ‘Oh spare us.’ The woman sneered. ‘Come on Brian. Honestly – where are their own parents? Probably bladdered out of their minds, dancing round some standing stone. Come on. Else we’ll never get through.’

  Her last words to Rhyllann were:

  ‘And you can get him off my lawn!’

  Rhyllann chased after the car, banging on the windows with his fists. The two girls swivelled round to stick out their tongues and pull faces. Their parents stared straight ahead. An almighty crack sounded. For a moment Rhyllann thought he had broken a window and stood back allowing the car to escape. Seconds later he could barely see the rear lights through the torrential rain, and lightning seared the sky again.