He went out into the alley, dazed with unhappiness, but as he crossed to his own back gate, a fragment of colour drew his attention. It was Angie’s old rag doll, stuffed into a rubbish bin awaiting collection. He drew it out and went uncertainly back into the yard, wondering if he should leave it on top of the plastic bag full of clothes. But Mrs Easterbrook and Lynne, who obviously didn’t understand its importance, would probably only throw it out again. He stood holding it by one floppy arm and heard Angie’s voice whispering in his mind, ‘Juliet, been with me through thick and thin…Oh God, the things I’ve lost…’

He knew that he must bear responsibility for it. Post it on to her, if he could find out the address of that Lakeview place, and include some sort of message, though he didn’t know what he could possible say—

Get well, Angie. Stay there and get well. Stay there forever if it takes that long, only get well…Angie, please get well…

The only trouble was that such things were impossible to say in a letter.

Oh I wish, how I wish

That I had a little house!

With a mat for the cat

And a holey for the mouse;

And a clock going tock

In the corner of the room,

And a kettle, and a cupboard,

And a thick new broom!

Chapter 12

Rankin House was listed in the Hospitals section of the telephone directory, and there was something else added after its name—Alcoholism and Drug Treatment Centre. Seymour slowly dialled the number and asked if he could speak to Angela.

‘I’m sorry, it’s not possible for you to call patients on this line or to leave messages,’ an impersonal voice told him. ‘Hospital visiting hours are between three-thirty and five each afternoon.’

He hung up and went and tidied himself in the bathroom, although that was just to fritter time, for he was neat enough already. A painfully neat kid, not really equipped to deal with this new burden sitting so heavily on his shoulders, looked back at him. He frowned at that reflected, timorous face.

It’s nothing to do with me, anyhow, he thought with anguish. Lynne said so! Angie got herself into this mess and they’ve all tried to help her and there’s nothing more anyone can do. She’s just a liar! All those rotten lies she told me…I don’t have to go and see her. I should watch that crummy old TV set all afternoon, forget about her…