When Good Days Turn Bad

We drove down to Albury, Emily was most anxious for us to get there, and when we did was so happy to see us, she even hugged her brother!  We stayed for a while and visited with the Hillbillies.  Emily seemed very comfortable there, and with her grandparents, and when we left talked excitedly about her visit.  We had to go to Big W to see if we could get a chair and when we'd done our shopping she wanted fast food, in spite of being offered lunch at Phill's parents' place.  We didn't even get a chance to respond before she started the abuse.  She must have held her bitch in so long at their place that it just came tumbling out.  We just ignored her and kept walking and as we got to the exit of the mall Phill asked if she wanted something from the bakery there.  She ignored him and as we walked to the car she took off and disappeared.  So then we had to go looking for her, all over the carpark and then in the shopping centre (Phill did that, I wasn't going to get into a hissy match with her in there).  We wondered if she had started walking back to Grandma's so we drove around for a bit wondering what to do.  Phill was livid, I was hopeful lol, was this the time we were finally rid of her?  KIDDING.  I know her, she takes off all the time  but she always turns up, like a bad penny.  She started phoning saying she wanted her suitcase which was in the boot.  This went on for a while before I got on the phone to her and asked where she was.  She was in the shopping centre so back there we drove, Phill had steam coming out of his ears by now.  He and Josh went in to talk to her, I couldn't be bothered.  I finally wandered over to see what was happening and saw Phill out the front with the centre security guard, and he was on the phone to Emily again.  We tried several times to try to talk her into coming with us, this went on for a while.  I even tried talking to her, and stayed calm and loving but while she almost caved I got cranky at the last minute and told  her she could live on the bloody streets for all I care.  Eventually Phill talked her into coming with us, her saving face comment was that it was only on the proviso that she'd move out when she was 16 (YAAAYYY!!!)  I had told her if she came home we'd forget the whole drama and not speak of it again.  So we got into the car and drove all the way home in virtual silence, it was quite nice actually I read my Kindle.  It's almost like she can't help these episodes, they are fewer now, but all similar when they happen.  I know she scares herself.  During the trip home I reached around and patted her leg, and when we finally got here she hugged me when we got out of the car and said she was sorry.  I just told her I love her and we'll get through these times.  No point in carrying on the unpleasantness, this has gotten us nowhere in the past.  For me, I am not going to let these things upset me anymore, life is too short.  I'm not allowed to punish her, and she is really too old now anyway.  Lead by example I say, but she isn't going to get what she wants every time she wants it and I made that clear.
We decided the children would NOT go with us when we went shopping, we just need to be organised so we do that sort of thing on our own.  They just nag and nag for things when we go, because they are spoiled (by us!) but it's not worth the stress and arguments.
Anyway all is well now, we didn't say anything more about it and the kids are out in Josh's room playing with the keyboard and carrying on as usual.
What a day!  I'm buggered, but happily in bed watching Your Gen. 
Oh we got a cute pink computer chair, didn't even know they existed, and for only $15 so it was worth the wait.
In spite of everything, I'm glad she's home.
Oh and I have to say that the security guard was great, Phill had approached him for assistance, and was on the verge of ringing the police.  The guard stayed with us, even offered to talk to Em himself (he is the father of a teenage boy).  He left to attend to another matter but came back and was really nice and reassuring and understanding.  I will ring or email the shopping centre tomorrow to tell them what a great security guard they have.  Also two men stopped to tell him that Em was distressed and a man was "harrassing" here.  I was so impressed at this, so many times people see these things and don't want to get involved.  I told them it was okay, it was our daughter but thanked them so much for their concern.  That was nice to see.