17 We're Not in Italy Anymore

Part Two ...in which Peanut gets out of the frying pan

17 We're Not in Italy Anymore Tracey Jones walked over to her husband. She stood directly in front of him and raised a hand to move the long, curly hair from in front of his eyes. 'Hello, Tracey,' he said, smiling. 'You have no idea how much I've missed you. He moved to hug her, but Mum stepped backwards. She looked into his eyes as her own filled with tears. After a few seconds, she spoke. ' Gary, how could you do it?' she said quietly. 'How could you leave your children? How could you leave me?'

'Tracey, I didn't leave...' Dad began to say, but she turned around and walked away. 'I'm going straight back through that door,' Mum said. ' Milton, are you coming wi—' She stopped herself, suddenly remembering that Mr Stone was somewhat indisposed. 'Would love to, Tracey,' said the man, his voice shaking with fear, 'but, unfortunately, I can't move. These strange people have tied me up!' Oh, that's rich, thought Peanut. What a faker! As if White doesn't know exactly why The Darkness and Table Guy captured him. Peanut's anger was boiling in the pit of her stomach. Mum had to know the truth, and she had to know it right now. Mum began to walk gingerly towards Mr Stone, looking a little afraid. 'Wait...' said Peanut. 'For what?' asked Mum, looking back at her daughter. Her voice was suddenly sharper. 'For me to get tied up, too? Or for your dad to walk out on us a second time? I'd rather not go through that pain again, thank you very much.' 'But, Mum, Dad didn't leave us!' shouted Peanut. 'He was kidnapped and brought here against his will. He's been trapped here.' 'Trapped!? Oh, poor Dad!' yelled Mum, spinning on her heels to face her daughter. 'It must have been terrible for

him! Italy is such a hellish place, after all. And what exactly was wrong with Mexico, Gary?' She turned to her husband with fire in her eyes. 'Too much sunshine for you? Was the ocean not quite turquoise enough? Or did you just get sick of eating all those delicious enchiladas and quesadillas? Maybe you fancied a bit of spaghetti, y'know, just for a change? Oh, PLEASE! Cry me a river!' 'Mexico?' said Dad, perplexed. 'Who said anything about Mexico?' 'But, Mum,' said Little-Bit, her bottom lip trembling. 'Dad never went to Mexico. And he wasn't living in Italy. We're not in Italy anymore, either. We're in a place called Chroma.' 'Peanut's right, Mum,' said Leo. 'Dad didn't leave us. He was taken.' 'And he was taken by that man!' Peanut shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Mr Stone. ' Mum, you have to understand he is not your boss, Mr Stone. He's actually called Mr White, and he's the evil mayor of Chroma!' Peanut wasn't surprised that Stone appeared shocked. Typical manipulative behaviour from the world's most evil man, she thought. Mum, on the other hand, looked completely... Well, Peanut couldn't figure out what Mum's face looked like at that moment. She'd never seen an expression quite like it. ' Oh, not you two as well?' said Mum, eyeing Little-Bit and Leo. ' Honestly, why can't you three just see the truth for

what it is. DAD... LEFT... US.' She carefully enunciated each word, leaving a gap between them for dramatic effect. And, Little-Bit, what do you mean we're not in Italy anymore? What is... Chroma? And why on EARTH would you think that Milton is... this Mr White person?!' 'Tracey, please give me a chance to explain,' said Dad, walking across the room towards her.