Will ran upstairs and returned with the duvet. As he gently placed it over his wife, he heard Bryn asking Matt what Kate had meant by, “I warned you,” and “it was too late.” He looked utterly bewildered.
Matt glanced at Will before replying. ‘I don‘t rightly know, lad, but don’t read too much into it. As you can see, she’s really poorly at present.’
‘Is she anorexic?’ Bryn asked.
‘Something like that, and she’s been overworking. Deadlines and such.’ Matt almost shoved the young detective out of the lounge.
Will heard Bryn say that he’d better get back out and join the search. He promised to keep in touch via Will’s mobile phone and handed Matt a slip of paper with the Fenmoor Lodge number. ‘Captain Fauve needs Mr Stonebridge to speak to him, sir. The poor man is beside himself. Would you ask him to call as soon as Mrs Stonebridge has recovered?’
Matt accompanied him to the door. Will heard him say, ‘You couldn’t have a word with the powers that be to get Will’s phone working again, could you?’
‘Well, you know what they’re like, sir. One word from us and they find twenty other priorities to attend to first. But I’ll ring them by all means and explain the situation.’
Matt thanked him and hurried back into the room. ‘How is she, mate?’
‘She’s sleeping, and her pulse is better than it was. She’s freezing. You wouldn’t make her a hot drink, would you, Matt? Lots of sugar. I’m afraid to leave her.’
Matt returned a few minutes later carrying a steaming mug. He set it down on the coffee table and stared down at Kate’s diminutive form. ‘How long has she been like this?’
Will took a deep breath. ‘Since that fucking rowan tree came down in the storm last night. She believes that it was protecting us, and when it fell, we would pay for it.’ He shook his head. ‘God, I wish we’d never come here, or that she’d got to hear of all those missing Holland children!’
‘Dead right!’ said Matt. ‘But I suggest we don’t tell Philip Fauve any of that. The guy is probably out of his skull with worry enough without hearing the local tales about disappearing children.’
Will nodded, without taking his eyes off Kate. ‘And by the way, Matt, I don’t think Sophie will try to find her way here. If she hates this place so much, to the extent of having nightmares about it, she’s not going to want to come here, especially not on her own.’
‘Well, the alternative isn’t too good, is it? You’re saying there is a chance she’s been snatched.’
‘I know. That’s exactly what I am saying. Poor little kid. After all she has been through, this is just not fair!’
Matt had no answer.
Having spent so many years in the force, both of them were only too aware that if Sophie wasn’t found in the first twelve hours, the hunt for the missing child could easily become a murder enquiry.
* * *
Matt returned to the kitchen and rang Liz, asking her to come over immediately. He then made Will and himself hot drinks and tried to gather his thoughts. There was a good chance that this latest blow could send Kate over the edge, and in a strange kind of way, that might be a blessing in disguise. Matt wasn’t sure how much more Will could take without breaking down himself.
He took the drinks into the lounge. Will was still sitting next to his wife, her hand in his.
‘I can’t get my head around this.’ Will spoke so quietly that Matt could hardly hear him. ‘I had just found the courage to phone Sam and organise her some help, and now my Sophie has disappeared. It’s beyond belief.’
‘You’ve got an appointment for Kate to see someone?’ This was good news indeed.
‘Tomorrow, at a clinic in Wainfleet. A doctor called Lawrence Hassel — he’s a friend of Sam Page — but—’
Matt interrupted. ‘I know what you’re going to say. But take a look at that woman on your sofa. Kate has to be your first consideration. Half the police force are out looking for Sophie. Kate has only you, and hopefully, this Lawrence Hassel — if you can get her to him.’ He looked Will straight in the eyes. ‘I’ll hold the fort here while you’re away and keep you posted on any updates. But for her sake, you have to get Kate some help.’
‘How can I leave Holland House while Sophie is out there somewhere, maybe taken by some pervert, or . . . ?’
‘Slow down, Will.’ Matt gripped his friend’s arm. ‘There are a dozen places she could be. Don’t jump to conclusions.’
Will had an idea. ‘I wonder if Lawrence Hassel would come here?’
Matt shrugged. ‘Why not ask Sam? Oh, and then do ring Philip. Bryn said he’s desperate to hear from you.’
Will reluctantly let go of Kate’s hand and took his phone from his pocket.
The call was brief. ‘Sam said he was sure he would if he could, but Hassel’s severely disabled. He’s in a wheelchair, and he never leaves the clinic.’ He hung his head. ‘And Sam said exactly what you did — not to cancel that appointment. He also said he’s coming over in case he’s needed.’ He swallowed hard. ‘Which means that when she wakes up, I have to break it to her that I have arranged for her to speak to a psychiatrist. After all I promised her. I feel like a traitor, Matt.’
‘It’s gone way beyond that now, Will.’
Kate gave a little moan, and Will gently coaxed her into sipping at her drink. Her expression was distant, vacant. As if in a dream, she drank the tea, seeming to be completely unaware of Matt’s presence in the room. ‘I’m so tired,’ she whispered.
‘I’ll get you to bed, my darling.’ Will gathered her up in his arms. Matt could see from the way he carried her that she weighed next to nothing.
As Will was putting Kate to bed, Liz arrived. Matt hugged her, muttering, ‘God, this is such a mess.’ He told her what had happened.
Liz finally released herself from his arms. ‘Mattie! That’s dreadful. That poor little girl! And Kate?’
He raised his hands. ‘God alone knows. The only good piece of news is that Will has an appointment tomorrow morning for her to see a specialist.’
‘If she agrees to go,’ said Liz dubiously.
‘She’ll go, one way or the other. You didn’t see her, darling. She was . . .’
‘I get the picture, Mattie.’
‘At least Sam Page is on his way over. I’ll feel a whole lot better knowing that a proper healthcare professional is with her. We are so out of our depth. And Will doesn’t know which way is up any more.’ Matt sighed.
‘Then stick with him.’ Liz squeezed his arm. ‘He’s lucky to have such a good friend.’
‘I feel like a fucking chocolate poker,’ he said. ‘What on earth do you say to a man whose wife is on the brink of losing her mind, and whose sister and brother-in-law just died, and now his little niece is lost and possibly abducted?’
‘Nothing, Matt. Just be there for him, that’s what he needs now. He needs to know he’s not alone.’
* * *
By nightfall, Will was distraught. He knew that at the hotel, Philip Fauve was pacing the foyer, his eyes glued to the front doors.