Chapter 63

Clara's POV

For dessert, I had some ice cream with a caramel topping. It was almost all I had left after everything else I had eaten.

My cell rang. I noticed it was a text from my sister when I glanced at the screen.

I panicked when I saw the time on my phone. It was about nine at night. My mother was aware that I didn't work nights. This meant that if she weren't already freaking out and phoning everyone we knew to find out where I was, there would be a lot of questions when I got home. However, I hadn't gotten a single text from her.

I interrupted Derek in the middle of his anecdote to say, "We should go."

I pushed my chair back and prepared to walk out of the eatery.

"Is everything okay?" a startled Derek enquired.

"It's late; I have to get home now," I said.

My sister texted me, asking where I was. Mom told me that because she works late, I've been alone at home.

My mother wasn't going to murder me yet, at least.

"Are you sure? Perhaps you want another drink or something before we