The detective was gone before Tara could say another word. What was that about? How could the photo shoot have anything to do with Bella’s disappearance? Josh’s niece—Pam’s oldest granddaughter, the favourite granddaughter—was in Mr Parrish’s class. Tara was hoping that Brendan would still be teaching there by the time Zoe started school. Everyone loved him.

A whimpering noise came from the lounge room. Shit, Daisy would need dinner any minute and Tara hadn’t yet opened her blog. She brought up the page and smiled for the first time today. Sixty-three comments and fifty shares. Fuck-a-duck!

BLOGSPOTCRAZY HAZY DAYZ

COMMENTS (63)

Kylie says: She’s such a gorgeous girl. Please keep us updated. Keep on hugging, Crazy Hazy Dayz. Xx

Gaynor G says: Look at that beautiful bedroom—she must be missing her fairies. Praying she’s home in her own special bed soon.

CheerfulChick says: I want to climb through my computer and give you a hug. Your family must be so scared. I’m here for you, any time you need. Xxxxxxx

MuminLondon says: It’s every mother’s greatest fear. I gave my babies extra special hugs this morning, and I’m sending some to you and to Bella’s family too. (I’m the editor of a weekly magazine in the UK and we’d like to profile Bella. Please send me a message.)

Caring, sympathetic, kind—that was just what she needed: some kindness from strangers to counteract the fear. Tara loved this online community. And the best thing was that everyone knew her as ‘Crazy Hazy Dayz’, not Tara from playgroup; not Tara, mother of Zoe and Daisy, wife of Josh.

As Tara scrolled downwards, tears in her eyes, she heard the key in the front door. Quickly she logged out and erased her web history.

‘Josh, what are you doing home already?’ She hurried out to the hall and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Come to help with the witching hour?’

Shaking his head, he tossed his keys on the hall table and called for the girls.

‘Guess who’s home early?’ he yelled down the hallway, and then announced himself: ‘DADDEEEEEE!!!!!’

Zoe came running. He swept her up in a bear hug and kissed her hair.

‘Oh, my gorgeous girl. How are you today?’

Maybe in January, when she started work, Tara could announce herself like that at 5 pm each day and the kids would be delighted to see her. At the moment, she was just their supplier of food and entertainment.

‘I’m only here for a few minutes,’ Josh explained to Zoe. ‘I have to get changed and then go looking for your friend Bella.’

‘Poor Bella,’ Zoe moaned. ‘Lost Bella.’

‘Don’t go on about it, Josh—you’ll upset her,’ Tara snapped. ‘So you’re just popping in, are you?’

‘Yes, I’ll have dinner first. Is there anything ready?’

‘I haven’t started cooking yet. Let’s get takeaway.’