Cucumber

'What's this Kim?’ Delphine pointed to the cucumber sticking up out of the bag.

‘It's a waste of time, that's what that is,’ said Joe, who disliked the things.

‘Joe! Pay no attention, it's a vegetable, very refreshing and usually eaten in salads. I thought that, and some fruit, would be acceptable with the sandwiches I bought. There are some bottles of water too and crisps. Right, everyone settled? Good. Where to next, Emma?’

Navigating through the side side streets, they arrived at the complex. A steady stream of employees was arriving now, all entering the building through the same main entrance.

‘What now?’ said Kim.

‘I don't think we should stop here, it's a bit obvious. How about we park over there?’ Joe pointed to the road beside the buildings, where there was a line of parked cars. ‘Is that...Alain over there? Yes it is, look. How did he get here? Is that Bella's car?’

‘No, hers is much newer than that. I'll park and then maybe one of you can find out what's going on. What a bit of luck to find them so easily.’

By the time Emma had slipped out of the car and crossed the road, Alain had roused the other two. Quickly they updated each other.

‘How big a risk is staying in a stolen car?’ Emma wanted to know.

‘Good point. Can we move into Kim's?’

It was a squeeze, but they'd done it before. Jammed into Kim's car, Alain related their experience, how they'd left Bella's house in the early hours and then decided to take a car to return to the complex.

‘So you have a plan?’

‘First of all we're hoping to find Jean-Claude and ask him to help. That's why we parked here, he's bound to come this way to go to work.’

Joe shook his head.

‘I don't think you can rely on that. We haven't heard from him since yesterday when I got out of that place, and he's not answering the phone.’

‘Where's Xavier?’ said Brontë suddenly.

‘Good question. We don't know. His bed wasn't slept in, so he must have left our house sometime in the middle of the night.’

The clones sat very still, absorbing this information.

‘He's not been in touch with you then?’ Kim looked from one to the other. Heads were shaking. ‘So...?’