Chapter 57

I call Kira’s number over and over again but each time it goes straight to voicemail.

I type her a text.

Hi Kira. There’s something I need to get from the car. Where are you?

Then I delete what I’ve written. If I tell her there’s something I need in the car she might look for it. The tote bag is tucked out of sight beneath the passenger seat and the chances are she won’t even notice it’s there. But what if she gives someone a lift? What if they shift the seat forwards or backwards and notice it? They wouldn’t open it. Kira would assume it was mine and tell them to put it back. But what if they left it in view when they got out of the car and an opportunist thief walked past and spotted it?

I lay the phone down on the duvet and take a deep breath. I’m over-thinking this and there’s no need to. The bag will be fine. It’s been under the seat for days and nothing bad has happened. But no one else has been in the car other than me. Oh God. Why didn’t I just leave it in the wardrobe? Why didn’t I throw it away when I had the chance?

I’ll wait. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll just wait here at Mum and Dad’s until Kira brings the car back and then I’ll get the bag and I’ll drive to Chew Valley and throw it in the lake.

It’s fine. I can do this. I can wait it out. Nothing bad’s going to happen.

‘Jake,’ I say into my mobile as the taxi pulls up outside Bristol School of Art. ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of Kira and she’s not answering her phone. Have you spoken to her this morning?’

‘One second, Mum. Scott needs me to … What?’ His voice becomes muffled. ‘Yeah. Tell Ian I’ll give him a ring in a second. I’m just on the phone. Hi, Mum. I can’t be long. Ian needs to talk to me. What’s up?’

‘It’s Kira. I’m trying to get in touch with her but she’s not answering.’

He sighs. ‘Her phone’s shit. She’s had it so bloody long the battery only holds a charge for a couple of hours before it dies. I keep telling her I’ll get her a new one but she won’t have it. She says she’d rather have the money and buy it herself.’

‘I’ve been trying to ring you too, all morning. I was getting worried.’