Her mother was back by the time Violet returned home, and full of the joys of Perfect, she just couldn’t stop describing Mrs Bickory’s apple pie.

“The best I have ever tasted Violet. I promise I’ll make it for you. June gave me the recipe. It’s a family secret but she said she would share it with me. Everybody is so nice in this town.”

Violet nodded as she took out her schoolbooks.

“Oh good,” her mother smiled, “those pills are working. I have never seen you so eager to study dear.”

Violet was silent. She wasn’t anymore or less eager to study than she had been before but her mother seemed happy and hopefully that meant no more pills.

“Here dear,” her mother said, dropping a yellow capsule onto the table, “time for your medication.”

“But Mam please I’m fine on the blue ones. I love Perfect,” Violet smiled.

“That’s great Violet I’m delighted you love it here but that’s got nothing to do with your IDDCS. You do want to be cured don’t you dear?”

“Can we wait for Dad to come home? Please.”

“Okay but your Dad agrees with me. We both want you to be rid of this syndrome. It’s holding you back. Think of how much you could achieve without it.”

Violet smiled, turned back to her books and pretended to study while Rose Brown whistled the evening away preparing risotto. Violet had never even heard of risotto before Perfect, now it was her mother’s speciality.

Hours swept by and her Dad had not returned from work. He never missed dinner. In all the years he had been her father and that was all her life, he had never spent an evening away without telling them. She glanced up at the clock as her mother set the table.

“We can’t wait any longer Violet dear,” her mother sighed, “this apple pie will go soggy.”

“But what about Dad?”

“Don’t worry about your father, he can have my pie another day.”

“I’m not worried about your pie Mam! Where is Dad? It’s not like him to come home late. What if something’s happened?”

“In Perfect Violet!” her mother laughed, “Of course nothing has happened to Dad. He’s just caught up in his work. He has the best job in the world working with the Archer brothers.”

“But Mam,” Violet pleaded, “I thought you didn’t like the Archers. The first night we came here you said they gave you the...”

“Violet!” her mother snapped running for the pill bottle, “stop being so disruptive, I know it’s the syndrome dear but it is getting out of hand. I have never nor will I ever speak of the Archers in such a way.”

Quickly she spilled more yellow tablets onto the table. Violet looked at the pills then back at her mother.

“Now!” her mother snapped.

Slowly Violet picked up two canary capsules and placed them under her tongue. Her mother filled a glass with water and handed it to her.

“Swallow,” she barked.

Violet did as she was told. Her mother smiled, cleaned up the remaining tablets and resumed dishing out dinner. When her back was turned Violet quickly spat out the pills and shoved them in her pocket.

“Now,” her mother smiled a little later, while tucking into her risotto, “I bet you feel better already.”

Violet nodded. If she spoke she wouldn’t be able to hide the teary tremble in her voice. Oblivious, her Mam chatted about her day right through dinner and dessert.

By late that night her father still hadn’t returned and Violet’s stomach climbed right into her neck. She felt sick thinking about her visit to the Archers shop. She’d definitely heard her father’s voice. Why didn’t she question the Archers more? Why did she walk away? Something had to be wrong. Her father was in trouble. Guilt took over as she climbed the stairs to bed.

Just as she reached the top step, the phone rang. She paused. Moving closer to the banisters she sat down and listened.

“Hello,” her mother said, in her phone voice.

“Oh Mr. Archer. How can I help you?”

“Yes I thought as much, Violet here was worried.”

“She was? Oh really she didn’t tell me that.”

“I apologise if she upset you Mr. Archer, as I’m sure you’ve heard she’s been diagnosed with IDDCS.”

“Yes she’s taking the pills. I watched her myself this evening.”

“Oh of course Mr. Archer I know how children can be. I’ll personally see to it myself.”

“Thank you for letting me know about Eugene Mr. Archer. I hope he’s helping your research?”

“That’s great to hear. How long will he be away?”

“That’s great. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Yes I’ll tell her. Goodnight Mr. Archer.”

Why had the Archers rung to tell them her Dad was away? Surely her Dad could pick up the phone? Why couldn’t he ring them?

“Violet!” her mother snapped, pulling her daughter from her thoughts, “were you eavesdropping?”

“Oh no I was...I just wanted to hear if it was Dad.”

“It was Edward Archer,” her mother smiled, “Your father’s going to be away for a few days. He’s gone to an optician’s conference. Very important apparently.”

“Don’t you think he would have told us that himself?” Violet said, her voice louder than she’d intended.

“Violet please you are giving me a headache. Edward Archer rang and kindly kept us informed. Your father had to leave quickly. It was urgent.”

“An urgent optician’s conference?!”

“Violet! This condition is really getting the better of you. It’s exhausting dear. Edward Archer was kind enough to enquire after your health. Everyone in this town is being so helpful and you repay them by being ungrateful. I know you were in the Archers shop today.”

“I was looking for Dad.” Violet snapped.

“You were snooping around in places you shouldn’t be. Edward Archer was very good to tell me and he said he wouldn’t get the police involved.”

“The police?” Violet protested, “but I didn’t...”

“Violet,” her mother sighed, “enough is enough, just be glad the Archers are so understanding. I’m sure your Dad won’t be when he comes home.”

Violet didn’t respond. There was no point. No matter what she said it would get twisted. She rose from her spot, turned and walked down the carpeted hallway to her room. She locked the door and collapsed onto her bed.

Her world was crashing down around her. Her mother didn’t listen and her father had disappeared. She’d been more than mean to him over the last few weeks and now she’d never see him again. She cried until she had no tears left.

She knew the Archers were behind everything, but even if she could prove it no one would listen. It was as if everyone in Perfect was under a spell. Exhausted she crawled in under her duvet and hoped that sleep would find her.