She was very thoughtful as she walked back, wondering if the anonymous caller would indeed attack her. Just let anyone try!

Chapter Eighteen

Tired of hotel life and catering, Adam and Gemma found temporary serviced accommodation to rent, of the sort sometimes used by businessmen working short-term in an area. It was utilitarian but with all the necessary facilities to communicate with the world.

The small block of flats was on the outskirts of Sexton Bassett, which looked to be a lovely little town. He didn’t remember having much to do with that side of Swindon because he’d lived north of the city.

The owner of the flats had provided access to the Internet so Adam bought a second-hand desktop computer and printer, which were so much better on the body when working for long hours than peering down at a laptop or tablet and getting a crick in the neck.

With Gemma sitting by his side, he again went through the trail of clues that the private investigator had followed up on. Some had seemed promising at first but had led nowhere, and all were minutely documented, which was helpful.

In the early years of their marriage Dorothy and Lionel Dobson had lived near Swindon. But for the next few years it was as if the Dobsons had been deliberately avoiding notice.

Why would they have done that?

When they reappeared in the records, they were living in the house Adam and his daughter had already visited. Which brought him back to relying on the old lady next door.

‘I don’t want to go off playing the tourist for more than an hour or two at a time yet,’ he said a few mornings after they’d moved in. ‘I haven’t given up on the neighbour getting in touch with us.’

‘I’ll be surprised if she does.’

‘She seemed genuine about her offer.’

‘What shall we do if she doesn’t get back to us, Dad?’

‘Go and visit her again. I’ll beg her help on my knees if I have to.’

She didn’t say anything, but she patted his arm, as if she knew his emotions and thoughts were in turmoil.

But they had no need to go back to the old lady. Two days later Adam’s phone rang before they’d even had breakfast. He pulled it out of his pocket. ‘I don’t know this number.’

He recognised the voice before the caller gave her name, though.

‘Linda here. I promised to see if I could find Dorothy for you.’

‘I remember. I was thinking of coming back to see you if you didn’t phone us. You’re the only real clue we have.’

She gave a rusty chuckle. ‘No need, Mr Torrington. I spoke to Dorothy and she wanted time to think about it. Could you tell me exactly why you came to England, do you think?’

‘To find her. I only recently discovered an important letter she sent to me in Australia nineteen years ago.’ He explained about going through his late wife’s possessions.