‘Have you found it?’ Matt leans across to look at the screen.

‘I think she’s unfriended me.’

‘Wow, that’s a bit harsh.’ Matt’s expression darkens. ‘All because of what happened on Saturday night? I didn’t think what you said was that bad. Maybe a little intense, but not actively rude or anything.’

‘I think it’s because she knows I’m on to her. She knows I suspect about Bella.’

Matt doesn’t reply.

‘What do you think?’ I press.

‘Rach, don’t take this the wrong way, but I really don’t think Kate took your daughter. Can’t you see how much of a crazy coincidence that would be?’

‘Doesn’t make it impossible though.’

‘No. No, you’re right. Not impossible. But I’m worried that you’re not seeing things straight. That you might be fixating on it too much. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand why you’d think it. Honestly, I’m a bit worried about you.’

‘What would you do if it were Charlie who went missing?’ I know I’ve asked him this before, but sometimes I think people don’t realise what it’s like. How you would do anything. How you would grasp on to even the tiniest shred of hope.

‘I know. I’m sorry.’ Matt scratches the stubble on his chin. ‘Have you booked another appointment with Robin?’

His question annoys me. The fact he believes I can be cured of my suspicions by talking things through with an ‘expert’. ‘I’m seeing him again next Monday.’

‘Okay. Well that’s good.’ He relaxes back into the sofa.

But speaking to Robin won’t change the fact that Bella is the spitting image of Holly. That Kate is acting really suspiciously. And that Shaun has spent time in prison, for goodness sake. There’s something not right with the Morrises. And I’m sure it’s got something to do with me and my daughter.

21

Then

Catriona and Darren stand beneath the white paper lampshade in their bedroom, the only thing still intact after the mess he’s just created while searching for their daughter. Darren’s hands grip her shoulders, his ragged breath hot on her face. His own face is white with fear and anger. It’s a side of him she’s never seen before. It’s a side of him that should scare her. But it doesn’t. She understands it. She feels it herself.

‘If you don’t tell me where our daughter is, I swear… I’ll…’ He exhales, shakes his head and releases her shoulders. ‘Don’t make me do something I shouldn’t.’ His voice breaks.

‘It was an accident, Darren. A terrible accident.’ Her voice is devoid of emotion now, as though she’s reading from a script.