After eating and making my bed up I settled down and went to sleep. When I woke it was light but as usual I had no idea how long I had slept. I must say that even with my cold it was a good sleep. For the first time since I moved in here I was too warm. I started off with the sheep fur against my me but I find that when it touches exposed skin it's very itchy so I soon turned it over so that the fur is on the outside - like a sheep wears it. The underside feels a bit stiff but it's okay, I soon got used to it.
Not knowing what the time was reminded me of the four o'clock chime of the ticking clock and it was then that it came to me in a flash, I could go down the corridor and listen for the chime. So I got up and without bothering with my boots so to be as quiet as possible I went down to the end of the corridor. I did feel a bit exposed here but just hoped I would hear if anyone was approaching and have time to run for cover. I don't think this part of the house is visited very often anyway.
Waiting for the chime dragged on, I think it must have been one minute past the hour when I arrived at the door because it took so long that I began to fear that I couldn't hear it for some reason. At one point, to pass the time, I tried to work out what day it actually was. I came to the conclusion that it was the 5th, therefore a Sunday. Sunday on the estate stands out from other days in that for one thing I don't have lessons but mainly it's the only day everyone has to go down and have dinner during the day rather than in the evening. It's a sort of social occasion, so much so that even Dougie and Sheena have dinner with us. Anyway I've probably said all this before somewhere. The thing that I'm thinking is that everyone will be at dinner from two until maybe four so if I could get from here and through the forbidden door without being seen by the invisible man I would be free to go and get some things from my room in the flat. I know, it sounds risky but I don't think it would be that bad as long as everyone is doing the same as usual. I would just need to hope that grandfather isn't laid up again or something. Even if Ivan is still ill I shouldn't really come into contact with him.
Eventually the bell tolled, and apparently, if I counted right it was eleven o'clock. I'd got three hours to make my mind up. Actually it was three hours to talk myself out of it because in my mind I was already doing it. It was worth the risk simply to get my phone so as I didn't have to stand around for hours on end listening for the ticking clock to chime. I could plan better if I knew the time.
I lay in my bed keeping warm and thinking of things to get. I had to be quick, so I wouldn't be packing a suitcase or anything, nor could I strip the place. I could do with a bag of some kind. I got up and went across to the junk room opposite. There was a picnic basket that was a nice size but on opening it I found it still had plates, cups, cutlery and things in it. Then in the corner stuffed inside a tea chest I found a holdall, it was just right for what I want. It's black with writing saying 'BOAC' on one side and has both handles and a shoulder strap. So I borrowed it.
I went back to the door when I thought it was nearly two o'clock, but as it turned out it was only one! The thing is, was it one or had I not heard one of the chimes?
'What a carry on,' as Jim would say.
So I went back to my room and eat half the sandwich that I had and hung around for a while before heading back to the door. I became terribly pent up waiting, I was ready to give up on the idea at this point. It was only the fact that it would be so helpful if I could get a few of my things that made me stay true to the plan. I had to really concentrate as I needed to be dead sure this time as to how many chimes there were. I couldn't afford to doubt myself at all. It's so hard to concentrate on nothing though. Eventually, after what seemed like two days I heard the clock strike two, it was defo two for sure. I couldn't go yet though just in case someone was late. I knew grandfather wouldn't be late and Cindy would already be down there anyway doing all the work as usual. It is a sin to be late so I reckon fifteen minutes and I could go go go!I actually counted to sixty fifteen times, because you know what my clock is like.
I had to be careful how I opened this door now, I definitely didn't want to bump into the invisible man. This is where you have to be slow and take your time. I cracked the door and listened as I couldn't yet look through it, the gap wasn't big enough. I could only hear the ticking clock. All I ever hear is the ticking clock. I opened up a little more and now I could see nothing and only hear the usual. I judged it to be clear so I made a start. I was literally trembling with something, not sure if it was fear or excitement. I didn't bother messing around with the forbidden door as I reckoned I was in more danger from this side of it than the other. I went quick and quiet and soon I was standing on the landing. I could hear them talking downstairs and the smell of Sunday roast was amazing. If it wasn't for the thought that I would have to eat humble pie first I would have gone down and joined them.
Instead I climbed the three steps and opened the door to the storage area and then made my way across the room to the door to our flat. All was quiet again now except for the wind blowing over the roof of the house. I opened our door and thankfully there was no one there. There was a nice fire going though. I just went straight through to my room. I had to be calm so as not to forget anything. It felt really strange being in my room again. Everything appeared to be as I had left it. Even the hairbrush was still laid on the bed where I threw it before going down to breakfast on New Years Morning. I never thought then that I wouldn't be coming back again - except for now.
I picked up my phone AND charger. Underwear, socks, hair brush and hand mirror, a change of clothes and a few other bits that I could squeeze in to the bag. Before leaving I looked round to be sure there was nothing else. I felt a sadness come over me - even to the point of feeling a lump in my throat. Talk about stupid, I can't stand the place. I guess it was my place though. Now I'm a homeless squatter with nothing but what I can fit in a holdall. Crossing back out of the storeroom I noticed my boots and thought they might be better than my wellies if I had to do some walking but they wouldn't fit in the bag and I was still limited to one hand so reluctantly I had to leave them. This was a good thing though as grandfather would probably have noticed them missing. I need to be more careful. Stick to the plan.
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