Matt

1

Matt put the phone down and sank into the sofa. Wynne had told him about the meeting with Carl Jameson, who it turned out was both in a wheelchair and dying.

Which left them with nothing.

He looked at his kids. Norman and Keith were playing Minecraft; he normally hated watching them getting so absorbed in a computer game, but it was a relief they had something to take their mind off their mum. Molly was on his lap, her face tilted up towards him. It was the way she had always lain on him since she was a baby.

And on Annabelle.

That morning, Norman had woken first and got into bed with him.

Is Mum still gone? he said.

Yes.

When’s she coming back?

I don’t know. Soon.

How soon?

As soon as we can find her. The police are looking.

Are you looking?

I am. Do you remember anything about the kidnapper, Norman?

He tensed. Not really.

The police will want you to tell them everything you can. Is that OK?

He paused. It’s OK. If it helps find Mum.

Keith was different. He lay curled up next to Matt, not speaking. Matt kissed the top of his head.

How are you?

He answered quickly. His voice was quiet and strained, as though even this one word was an effort. Good.

Are you worried? About Mum?

A bit. A pause. Yes.

It’s normal to be worried. But we’ll find her, OK?

OK.

He hated the feeling of lying.

His phone buzzed. He looked down. It was Guy.

‘Guy,’ he said. ‘Hey.’

‘Matt. Is now a good time?’

‘As good as any.’

‘Is there any news?’

Matt brushed his lips against Molly’s forehead. ‘None good.’

‘What’s happened?’

‘They thought they had a suspect,’ he said. ‘A fan who had come to her readings. But it turned out to be nothing. We’re still at square one.’

‘Damn,’ Guy said. ‘How are the kids?’

‘Good, considering. They’re worried. We all are. I think the police are going to talk to them today.’

‘Do you think they’ll need any help? Counselling?’

‘Maybe. But hopefully Annabelle will be back this afternoon and all this will be over. I don’t want to dwell too long on the alternative.’ He knew that soon he would have no choice; the alternative would become reality.

‘I hope so too. I’m heading into the office for a few hours, but let me know if there’s anything you need? I’ll have my phone on.’

‘I will,’ Matt said. ‘Thanks.’

The problem was there was nothing Guy could do. There was nothing anyone could do.

2

What did it do to you to lose your mum when you were seven? Or five? Or three?