“It was just something Dad said. He knew where you were one day and I couldn’t figure out how he knew.”

My stomach dropped and I passed over my phone without another word. While he examined it, I took the pizza box and glasses into the kitchen. I stood for a moment with my head bent over the sink. Had Tom known all along where I was? Had he been tracking me? I thought of the photo that had been put through the door, now in pieces in my bin.

When I returned to the living room, I asked casually, “Did you tell your dad where I’m living now?”

“No, of course not. He sent a message the other night, asking me if I knew, but Mum said not to tell him. I just said I had no idea.”

“Thanks. Will you tell him you’ve seen me?”

Slowly he shook his head. “No. Not unless you say it’s okay.” He handed back my phone. “I can’t see anything there. Everything seems fine. I must have been imagining things.”

“Are you sure?” I don’t know why I didn’t feel more relieved. The idea was in my head now and I couldn’t shift it. “What about your own? Have you checked?”

He gave me a wry grin. “Are you kidding? I’ve never let it out of my sight.”

“Josh, do you remember your dad’s birthday party last year? You were there with Becky, remember?”

“Yeah. I remember. What about it?”

“Did you take any photos?”

He stared at me. “What?”

“Did you take any photos of the party?”

He laughed. “I seriously doubt it. Why would I?”

I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it. I was trying to remember who was there, that’s all.”

“A bunch of old people.” He ducked as I reached out to grab him. “I’ll have a look if you like but I got rid of a lot of photos after Becky and I finished, and she’s the only one I would’ve taken a photo of that day.” He stood up and rubbed his eyes. I knew he still missed his ex-girlfriend. “I’d better go.” As he opened the front door he said, “Mind if I come round again sometime?”

“I hope you will.” I hugged him. “You know I love you. I think you’re great. Getting to know you was the best part of my marriage to Tom.”

“Same,” he said, then laughed. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.”

CHAPTER 43

Ruby

I awoke the next morning to a ping on my phone. Fiona had sent a message from Australia, simply saying:

Please send help.