‘Why was he with him?’ Bella couldn’t stop the question from escaping.

‘He wasn’t. Not really. Look, enough now. Your dad wasn’t there, remember?’

Bella felt so confused she just wanted her mother to stop speaking. She shook her head. ‘Fine. Dad wasn’t there.’

Her mother released her grip from Bella’s upper arms and Bella took a step back. Muriel stood up straight, her face relaxing. Bella, relieved at obviously having said the right thing, took the opportunity to bolt out the door. She ran most of the way to the park, eager to put as much distance between herself and her mother as possible.

What was going on?

Whatever it was, she’d do as she was told and not utter a word about it again. The last thing she wanted was to get her dad into any kind of trouble.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

2019

Anna

Tuesday 16th July

Anna gazed silently at Tina’s house; the last time she’d set foot inside was with Jonie, thirty years ago. She pushed her shoulders back and opened the rickety wooden gate leading to the front door. The house was one of three in the small terraced area just off the main road, each having joint access to the back gardens, the paths running the full length of the row. It’d been one of the fun aspects of going to Jonie’s – they often played hide-and-seek in the neighbour’s gardens without their knowledge, or permission.

Anna paused at the door, hand poised to knock. The likelihood of Pat Vern being there on his own was slim, and she wasn’t keen to face Tina again. Particularly as she wanted to grill Pat about Jonie’s disappearance. It would be less awkward if she approached Pat on more common ground, like at The Plough, if he still drank there. It would be easy to find out. She backed away, but as she reached the gate she heard the door being opened.

‘Can I help?’ a gravelly voice asked. At least Pat had answered and not Tina. Anna smiled as she turned to face him.

‘Hi, Mr Vern.’

He stood still, a puzzled look momentarily covering his face. Then his frown transformed into realisation, and he inhaled deeply. ‘Bella? Is that you?’

‘Guilty as charged,’ Anna said, her attempt at humour falling flat.

‘Now what do you want? Haven’t you upset Tina enough?’

‘I didn’t realise I had upset her.’ Anna flushed, knowing full well she had. ‘I’m sorry. Look, I was only dropping by to speak with you, but if I’m going to cause grief, I’ll leave. As I was about to anyway.’ She walked through the gate and turned to close it.

Anna saw Pat look back over his shoulder into the darkness of the hall, then he stepped outside, pulling the door to. ‘Well, she is upset, whether that’s what you intended or not. But if you want to talk, it’s best we meet elsewhere. I’ll be at the pub in twenty.’ And before Anna could speak again, he’d turned and disappeared inside.