Page 28 of Fast Track to Forever
A man with a clipboard is furiously scribbling some notes, and another one who is wearing something close to a white hazmat suit is exiting the building with a small cage.
“Mr Featherstone, we have located and managed to trap the rodent. Since this has occurred, we require you to stop production, do a deep clean of the premises, and go on a managed plan of inspections.”
My dad covers his face with his hands.His life’s work, ruined by a single rodent. This is a disaster. From the darkness of his palms, Dad wails, and the only words I can make out with any clarity are “those damn de Jongs.”
But it can’t be them. Why would they do something like that?
My dad opens his phone to call his staff, and I take the opportunity to speak with the inspector alone.
“Hey there, just out of curiosity, but I understand if you can't tell me. Who called you in on Christmas Day? That's rather odd isn't it?”
The inspector stares me down. “These details are confidential Miss Featherstone.”
“Okay, maybe a little clue. Was it someone from abroad? Or New Zealand?”
He lets slip. “As a matter of fact, it was someone right here in Queenstown. Known to the family.”
I gasp. “Thank you.”
My mum strides over. “I heard that. It's the De Jongs, Stan. I knew it. “
I struggle with this knowledge, but the evidence seems damning. There could be so many people in the area “known to the family”. But what if he meant… I just can't believe Will's parents would have done such a thing.
Mum lifts a finger. “Thismust notgo to the press. Do you understand this, Kat?”
I nod.
Dad barks an order. “That means you cannot see Will de Jong anymore. We'll be ruined.”
I open my mouth to protest.
“Not a word.” My dad picks up the paper from the inspector and shuts up the gates of the factory, who knows how long for. “If you care even a shred for us, you'll do this.”
I run towards the side of the gate, my heart in my throat, and text Will before anyone can see me.
Kat: The flour mill is shut down. My family thinks yours is responsible. It’s best if we don't talk for a while.
Chapter 10
Boxing Day
Queenstown, NZ
Will
Yesterday’s newsabout Kat’s family’s flour mill shutdown has nibbled at my happiness like that blasted mouse they found. Kat said we shouldn’t talk for a while. How long is “a while”? Should I wait for a few days to talk to her again? A week?
The Christmas break will be over soon enough, and I don’t want to waste time. Wait… does she actually believe her parents? Does she think my parents had anything to do with it? How could she even think that? She should know by now.
I willnotlet this get between me and Kat.
My night has been virtually sleepless. I tossed and turned then went out for a run in the middle of the night. At 7am sharp I’m at the lodge for breakfast. Something’s not right. With Kat’s parents and with breakfast. I sniff the air. Something’s burning!
I sprint to the kitchen and take the toast off the rack and tip the eggs out of the pan. Where is everybody?
I head to reception where I find my parents and my brother huddled up together around the computer screen, and John is off to the side checking his phone.
"Is everything alright? The toast was burning."
