‘I’m not sure what I’ll be able to find out,’ began Steph, but then stopped herself. There was something about Sonia’s undeniable love for her daughter that resonated with Steph. Something that Steph felt was so lacking in her relationship with her own mum. An unbidden wish that Sonia was her mother took Steph by surprise. She brushed it away, feeling disloyal to Wendy, and yet at the same time a sense of deep disappointment settled inside her. What did Sonia and Elizabeth have as a mother and daughter that she and Wendy lacked? Or was it a case of not what they lacked but who lacked what? Steph couldn’t help feeling intrigued by Elizabeth – what was it about this woman that engendered this fierce belief and devotion from her mother? Steph couldn’t imagine igniting such a reaction in Wendy and, if she was honest, it made her a tiny bit jealous.

‘You’ll have access to the resort like no one else has had—you’ll be able to ask questions,’ Sonia continued, drawing Steph back to the conversation. ‘Please help me. Just think, if you force a new police investigation, then that’s going to help your career a lot. You could end up working for a national paper. You could make a name for yourself.’

It was a tempting proposition, Steph had to admit. She knew her position at Vacation Staycation wasn’t somewhere she wanted to be for the rest of her working days. She did have ambitions and Sonia was right, this could be an excellent opportunity to springboard her career. However, it would mean going back to where she’d grown up – not a place high on her wish list. It brought back too many sad memories, especially those of her father. Whenever she thought of Kendalton, the very next thought was of her father’s funeral. Coupled with the emotional desert of a relationship she had with her mother, Kendalton was not her happy place.

Steph looked at the woman across the table. ‘You and Elizabeth were obviously very close.’

Sonia looked slightly thrown by the statement but replied anyway. ‘Yes. We were. We stayed in touch with each other as she grew up and moved away. We might not have seen each other as much as we would have liked, but we spoke often.’ Sonia closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them, looking directly at Steph. ‘I miss her dreadfully. I can’t rest until I know she can rest in peace.’

Steph swallowed and blinked back her own tears. She couldn’t help not only envy the relationship Sonia had had with her daughter but also admire the love. She reached out and squeezed Sonia’s hand. ‘I’ll do it,’ she said softly and then added, ‘But I’m not making any promises. What I find is what I find, if I find anything at all.’

Chapter Eight