All the children assembled into the hall. They sat quietly on the floor in rows, their legs crossed. Teachers stood at the side of the room. They tried to act normally for the sake of reassuring the pupils, but they were equally fearful. Would the finger of suspicion be pointed at them? The profession of teacher was no longer a rewarding one. They were blamed for a great many things: low test results, showing too much interest in a student, not showing enough interest. Placing a hand on the back of one child if they were upset was suddenly no longer a symbol of comfort, but a sign of a teacher grooming the child. They couldn’t maintain eye contact with a child for too long in case it was seen as intimidation or as if they were being somehow suggestive.
Sheila Croft walked down the centre of the room. Her sensible shoes clacked loudly on the parquet flooring as she walked with her shoulders back, head high, and ample bosom on display. She was wearing a beige ankle-length skirt and a white shirt buttoned up to her fat neck. She dressed conservatively for a reason: protection against any unwanted or unwarranted attention from parents and teachers alike.
‘Good morning everyone. As I’m sure you all know by now, one of our fellow pupils, Keeley Armitage, who is in Miss Beech’s class, has gone missing. Now, on your way here this morning, you will have seen a lot of policemen and policewomen who are doing everything they can to try and find her. I know it looks scary, but it’s not. Police officers are there to look after us and keep us safe. There is nothing for any of you to worry about. However, if any of Keeley’s friends know where she might be, or if they’ve seen anything strange, or if Keeley has mentioned anything strange lately, then you can tell me, or your teacher. Nobody is going to get into trouble. All we want to do is find Keeley.’
Sheila looked out at the sea of blue sweaters with the yellow logo on the left breast. All the faces were blank as the children, aged from seven to eleven, had their first glimpse of reality; the world wasn’t all about learning the alphabet, times tables, and playing games. Outside of the school gates, beyond their back gardens, there was fear, dread, and horror.
Chapter 21
Craig and Linda Armitage had no interest in being famous or on television. They were both perfectly content to live their lives being the best parents they could be and, hopefully, raising three happy and healthy children. When Matilda mentioned a press conference, Linda burst into tears.
‘Oh God, do I have to?’ She asked once Ellen had calmed her down.
‘It would help.’
Linda stood up and went over to the mirror above the mantelpiece. ‘I look a mess. I can’t remember the last time I had a haircut. My face is all blotchy. And what do I wear? I can’t go on television; people will talk about me. What will happen if I don’t cry or if I cry too much and can’t talk? Can’t someone else do it?’
‘Linda, we need both of you to be there,’ Matilda said firmly. ‘We’ll prepare a statement for you to say. Craig can speak if you don’t want to, but you’ll get more sympathy from the press, and the public, if you both make an appearance.’
‘Craig?’
Craig was sitting on the sofa. Riley was asleep on his lap. He was unshaven, his hair was knotted, and he looked shattered. ‘I’ll speak,’ was all he said.
***
At South Yorkshire Police HQ, the press was assembled and waiting in a packed conference room. Cameras were pointing towards the platform and the gathered journalists were chatting animatedly among themselves.
Craig and Linda looked petrified. They were sitting on an uncomfortable-looking sofa, holding hands, with grim, pale faces. They gave the impression that at any moment a judge was going to sentence them both to death.
Ellen Devonport was sitting next to them, talking them both through the press conference, what was expected of them and how it would unfold. They didn’t seem to be paying any attention. Linda was wearing blue jeans and a navy sweater. Her hair was combed and pulled back into a loose ponytail. She wasn’t wearing any make-up and had taken her earrings out. Craig wore black trousers and a white shirt with a grey sweater over the top. He’d shaved and ran his fingers through his hair. They both looked presentable, given the situation.
‘Do I look all right?’ Linda asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
‘You look fine,’ Ellen replied, patting her hand.
Valerie entered the anteroom in full uniform, with Matilda following. She introduced herself to Craig and Linda before shaking their hands and reassuring them that South Yorkshire Police were pulling out all the stops to find their daughter.
‘Is there anything you’d like to ask me about the press conference?’ Valerie asked.
Linda’s bottom lip was wobbling. She breathed in hard and swallowed her emotions. ‘Will I have to speak?’ She asked, her voice breaking.
‘The press will direct their questions to you, Linda. They always like to hear how the mother is coping. However, myself or DCI Darke will step in if the questions become too much for you.’
‘We’re ready,’ Ellen said.
Craig stood up first, still grasping his wife’s hand. He had to help her up as all energy seemed to drain from her. The door was opened, and they stepped out.
The cameras began to flash. Linda gripped Craig’s hand tighter. Ellen led the way and pointed out the seats for them to take. They sat behind the desk and looked ahead at the sea of reporters and cameras.
Matilda took a seat at the end of the table. Linda was in the middle with Craig and Ellen either side, both were holding one of her hands for support. She was pale and looked as if she was about to throw up all over the table. In front of Craig was a single sheet of A4 paper with the prepared statement he was to read out for the reporters.
Once the flashing had stopped and the murmurs had subsided, Matilda took a deep breath and opened the proceedings.
‘On Monday 10th September, nine-year-old Keeley Armitage disappeared on her way home from school. Around four o’clock, Mrs Armitage received a phone call from someone who said they’d kidnapped Keeley. We now believe this was a hoax. However, Keeley remains missing. The photograph on the screen behind me shows Keeley wearing the uniform of Mary Croft Primary School in Stannington. She was wearing this, along with a yellow jacket, when she went missing. Officers are currently searching around the Stannington area for Keeley. If anybody out there has seen her or knows of her whereabouts, they’re to call the number on the bottom of the screen immediately.’
More cameras flashed. Despite Matilda doing the talking, all the cameras seemed to be centred on Linda and her husband.
‘Craig Armitage, Keeley’s father, is going to say a few words.’
Craig remained still and silent for a long moment. He let go of his wife’s hand and picked up the sheet of A4 paper on the table in front of him. His hands were shaking. He cleared his throat.
‘Keeley is a bright and happy girl. She’s our middle child and her older sister, Jodie, and younger brother, Riley, miss her terribly, as do her mum and me. She was last seen outside the Co-op on Oldfield Road. At the time she went missing, there were a lot of other schoolchildren and parents about. Somebody must have seen where she went or if anybody took her. If you’ve taken her, for whatever reason, we need her back home. Please, take her to a police station, or phone us. We just want her back home with us.’