Pendulum

‘I’m calling Jean-Claude,’ said Kim. ‘Where’s the phone?’

‘It’s downstairs. You ring him, I’ll make us some tea.’

Downstairs, Kim found the phone and realised they still had Jean-Claude’s mobile. Yesterday morning, they’d switched phones as theirs had more battery left. She had to stop and think hard to remember their own number, it wasn’t something she ever dialled. Finally it was ringing. All four of them waited in silence.

‘It’s gone to voicemail.’ 

‘That could mean anything - run out of charge, he’s switched it off, he’s left it somewhere…’

‘You’re not helping Joe, I know all that,’ she snapped.

‘Sorry I’m sure.’

He turned away. His back radiated resentment. He had only been trying to help. Her irritation melted and the pendulum of her mood swung right around.

‘No, I’m sorry Love. I’m just a bit wound up.’

‘I know.’ He met her half way. ‘Me too. Try again, just in case.’

She tried the number again, with the same result.

She looked up at the worried faces. 

‘What do we do now?’

‘I think it’s time to go to the Police,’ said Joe.

‘And say what? “Our clone has disappeared .” They won’t care, will they?’

‘Can either of you communicate with Alain or Hugo or Brontë?’ said Joe.

‘In theory, we could try. But it would give away both our locations to whoever it is who it looking for us,’ said Delphine.

‘There must be something we can do,’ said Kim. ‘We need to find the other three and warn them. Do they even know there are people close by, looking for them? They may not have had access to the news or anything.’

Just then the house landline rang and made everyone jump. Kim picked it up cautiously.