phone call

Finally Chloe got through. Someone was on the other end of the phone. Only it wasn't Craig.

She'd tried hours on end or so it seemed to find out what was going on. But he wasn't picking up. She'd gotten baby Caroline down for a nap so she finally got the nerve to do it. Call someone from Hollyoaks.

"Hi, um..."She paced the kitchen wondering what to say first, "Is this John Paul?"

"This isn't some telemarketer spam thing, is it?"

"No," Chloe thought again how to start this conversation. "Do you know Craig Dean?"

"Yeah,"there a little hesitation in his voice, "We were mates in school."

"Good, I just wanted to make sure you were the right John Paul." She felt giddy now. "Maybe you can help me. How's he doing?"

"Um,"

"See, he had rush off so quickly, he didn't have time to tell me what had happened. Family crisis of some kind."

"Oh, that." There was a silence. "He's coping. I haven't actually seen him."

"I found your number in some of his stuff he left here. I just assumed-"

"He's busy. I've got loads of exams, right now. Just hasn't gotten around to it, I guess."

"Sorry, this is Chloe, by the way. I just wondered if you could tell him, I called. I hope everything is all right." She suddenly felt embarrassed about this phone call as she picked up a sponge to wipe off the kitchen counter. She had to do something to keep busy.

"I'll see what I can do. I'm sure he'll call you soon and explain everything." John Paul's voice was quaint yet quiet.

"Thanks," Chloe said.

"Its OK," John Paul said. "Its good to talk to Chloe, Craig's friend in Ireland."

"Its good to talk to you too," Chloe felt maybe it wasn't a mistake calling after all. "Bye."

"Bye."

Chloe bit her bottom lip. She knew who she really needed to call. Kadan. They hadn't talked in ages.