I'd called my brother and asked him to look after my house. Told him to keep the car for a while longer as well. And work was told I was going on an i...definite sabbatical, although I might be back next week.I also had time to say "Hi" to a couple now-old friends."So you've had fun?" Wilma asked before I could even start to greet her in return."Oh, yeah!" I replied, my big grin impossible to hide."And now you're about to take the ride of your life," Sam added."Oh, yeah!" Redundant of me, but I. She has a heart of gold and would do anything for you.’ ‘Oh I’m sorry Matt. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just the behaviour I was referring to.’ ‘I understand. But mum usually doesn’t disappear for the night without saying anything. And why would she want to sleep at Elsie’s when she’s got a perfectly good bed here?’ ‘Give me a moment.’ Courtney returned from the kitchen with a tray containing two glasses and a bottle of sparkling wine. ‘Cripes. Mum can stay away more nights.’ ‘Listen Matt,. Drunk drivers were just not heavily penalized for their crimes. The lawsuits would take years to be settled according to Auntie. The insurance companies dragged them out for as long as possible, to delay paying anything out before they had to. The interest that they were collecting on the money induced them to procrastinate sending payment until all legal delays had been exhausted. The sale of the business and associated assets, provided ample resources to cover Mother's bills until the cases. I have to think ahead. I have to plan ahead. What do I need? What will I need? I sneak through the upper hallway, pressing to the walls. Most of the windows are blocked up, but someone could still see me breaking a shadow somewhere. Locker 329… 330… 331… Footsteps behind me. He’s big. And he’s running. I don’t turn yet. 332… Ah. 333. As I move to grab the locker, I turn my profile to him. Only about ten feet away, and coming fast. I hate to make the noise, but I open the locker door into.