Gone Missing by Jean Ure

down my next bit of KitKat two minutes early and forced myself to stay in my seat. I tried to picture the scene where Mum and Dad came on television to weep and say how much they loved me and wanted me back. Please, Jade! Wherever you are…just come back to us!
    Dad would have to say it, too; not just Mum. He would have to say, “All is forgiven.” And maybe say he was sorry for the way he’d treated me.
    No! Dad would never do that. He wasn’t the sort of person to apologise. Even fantasies have to have some sort of basis in reality. Well, mine do. I’d be prepared to settle for him saying that all was forgiven and he wanted me back. If he said that, then maybe I’d go. Maybe. Possibly. I’d have to see how things worked out.After all, we hadn’t even got to London yet! Still another forty-two minutes to go…
    We got there. At last! As I stood waiting for the doors to open, I saw Honey anxiously lumbering up. Now what was she doing? She was supposed to keep her distance! At least I knew she was still on the train; that was some comfort.
    I set off up the platform, determinedly not looking back. After a few seconds I heard the familiar slap, slop of her sandals and she appeared, a bit breathless, at my side.
    â€œIs it all right to be together now?”
    I said, “Yes, OK.” There were loads of people around, even though it was a Sunday. I didn’t think anyone was very likely to notice us.
    â€œSo what do we do now?”
    â€œWe have to find the Underground and get on a tube.”
    I knew the Underground was somewhere about, cos I could remember using it when I came with Mum and Dad. I’d just forgotten the station was so big. Well, I don’t expect it’s any bigger than New Street, which is pretty vast, but I know New Street. I didn’t know Euston. It was all a bit confusing.
    â€œThere’s got to be a sign,” I said. “Just keep walking!” People would notice if we hung about. We had to look like we knew where we were going.
    â€œDo we have to get on a tube?” said Honey.
    I said, “Yes! Why?”
    â€œNothing. I just wondered.”
    â€œWe’ve been through all this,” I said. “It’s what we planned…we’d get the tube. What’s the problem?”
    Honey hung her head. “There might be bombs.”
    â€œBombs could be anywhere,” I said. “This is London! It’s where it’s all at.”
    â€œWe should have gone to Glasgow.”
    â€œWe couldn’t go to Glasgow! I already told you. Just shut up! Look, Underground.” I pointed. “Over there!”
    Honey trailed dismally after me. I said, “I could do with a bit more support here. We are supposed to be in this together .”
    â€œSorry.” She flailed wildly with her rucksack and almost sent a nearby couple flying. I said, “Honey!” You couldn’t afford to go round biffing people with rucksacks. Not in London. I’d read about it! You could be knifed or even worse, just for looking at someone. “Just watch it,” I said.
    â€œSorry!” She scuttled after me, down the steps. “I don’t think I like it here!”
    â€œWhy not? It’s exciting,” I said. “Things happen! You just have to get used to it. Let’s go and find a map.”
    Even when we’d found the map it took me ages to find Stonebridge Park. Even when I’d found Stonebridge Park I couldn’t figure out how to get there. Stonebridge Park was on the brown line while Euston was on the black one and the pale blue one. How did we get on to the brown one??? All the time I’m trying to work it out, Honey’s jittering at my elbow and saying that she doesn’t think this is such a good idea, and why couldn’t we get a bus?
    â€œI like buses! I don’t like being underground. I don’tfeel safe! I want to get a bus!”
    That was when I lost my temper;