The daisy chain wallpaper looked more like something a young girl would choose. Under the window was a solid oak dressing table with three adjustable mirrors. On a matching chest of drawers stood a photo of what he presumed were her parents on their wedding day. A stiff looking couple if ever he saw one. Not even smiling.

‘There’s quite a bit to do then,’ he said as they traipsed back downstairs.

‘Please say if it’s too much.’

‘It’s not that. It’s just that it will take a while, weeks if I’m honest, months if I do find other work.’

‘Like I said, I’m in no hurry, believe me. After all these years, I can wait.’

‘When would you want me to start?’

‘It’s up to you.’ Her eyes brightened momentarily before she looked down again, as though she shouldn’t have spoken. He guessed she was quite shy at heart, which was cute.

‘I can crack on straight away if you want me to.’

‘Let’s both have a think about it over the weekend, shall we?’

‘Fine by me.’

‘And if you could put a quote together for me and come back, say, Monday?’ She opened the front door.

‘Sounds good, thanks.’ He held her gaze and made her blush again. There was definitely something special about her, a real sparkle. Gran would have loved her, that was for sure. And regular work, how could he say no to that? This could be the fresh start he needed. There was no going back, he’d got that message loud and bloody clear. He touched his bruised leg. It was about time his luck changed for the better.

Chapter Seven

Maddy: Late September 2019

‘The liaison officer came today to tell me the police are going to call off the search tomorrow night.’ Maddy sits with Sarah at the kitchen table after the school run.

‘But it’ll only have been four days.’

‘They’ve almost finished dredging the river and searching the surrounding area.’ She takes a teaspoon from the draining board and scoops a heap of coffee into each mug.

‘Don’t give up hope.’ Sarah rests her hand on top of Maddy’s.