CHAPTER TWELVE
Brian didn’t try to kiss me again. When I left him at the airport gate, I leaned over and brushed his cheek with my lips. His eyes were pained as I walked away, but I didn’t look back.
Mother was waiting when I landed. She must’ve had a way of finding out my flight and following it because I’d never called her to tell her. I half expected her to say that Harry had turned up. Instead she said, “I’m glad you didn’t delay, Lauren. There’s no sign of Harry. Hermione is crying for her brother. It’s so sad.”
I hated the way she heaped on the guilt. She hadn’t even asked how I was or how long I’d be staying. I figured she expected I would be there until I found the cat, or maybe she would convince me not to go back.
“Good to be home,” I lied. Why make a fuss? Oddly, my statemen
