‘What can he do?’
‘He’s close to Poppy. She talks to him when they walk Bill. He might have an idea. Besides, he’d want to know.’
She was right; Ash would want to know. He deserved to know. Guilt punched hard with the realisation that I was the one pushing him out of our funny little family and also the sudden awareness that I was doing it because I was scared. Scared that he would move on when I’d fallen hard.
‘In the meantime, I could round up a few people and we could search the park. She might have gone there; it’s a familiar place. Somewhere she might go if she’s feeling upset or sad.’ Though her voice was strong, I could tell Hilda was as worried as I was but I knew she wouldn’t want me worrying about her, about her age, or whether she should be doing this. It would be insulting to her so instead of saying, please sit down and take care of yourself, I said, ‘That’s a good idea. If you give Janie and Penny a ring, they might be able to help and round up some people to search for her. Try the library, as well.’
Deep breath, Claire.
‘I’ll call Ash. Then I’ll let the school know she’s not at home.’ I glanced at my watch. It was nearly eleven o’clock; he was already in his meeting and he was about to do his big presentation. He probably wouldn’t answer. Maybe a text would be better.
My fingers were too fumbly for a text. I called him, overwhelmed by the rush of relief when I heard his voice.
‘Ash! I didn’t think you’d answer.’
‘Hang on,’ I heard voices in the background and then a door close. ‘You wouldn’t call unless it was important. What’s wrong?’
‘It’s Poppy. She’s gone missing—’
‘Missing?’
‘Yes, I dropped her off at the school gate this morning but she isn’t at school. Hilda’s at the house. Her purse is missing. She had about thirty pounds. I don’t know what to do. I know she talks to you. Have you any idea… has she said anything?’
‘No… nothing in particular. I know she’s been fretting about Alice not being in touch. Remember, she used my phone hoping that Alice might pick up a call from a strange number.’
‘Thirty pounds isn’t going to get her to India.’
‘If she is in India…’ Ash said slowly.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Hang on a minute. I’ll call you straight back. I need to check something.’
‘Check what?’
He hung up.
I threw my head back in frustration but he called back almost immediately.
‘Alice isn’t in India.’
‘What?’
‘I just called her number. It’s not an overseas ringtone. Where are you?’ There was sudden urgency in his voice.
‘I’m at work but I’m going to go home right now.’
‘Stay there; I’m coming to get you.’
‘But—’
‘I’ll see you in ten minutes. Be out front?’
‘But your presen—’
‘Claire, give me some fucking credit.’ And with that he cut me off.
The Porsche screeched to a halt outside Cunningham, Wilding and Taylor. Karen gave me a hug and then squeezed both my hands. ‘Let me know when you find her. And if there’s anything I can do.’
‘W-Will do,’ I said, desperately trying not to cry.
When I scrambled into the low-slung seat, Ash unpeeled his hands and opened his arms. ‘Sorry I yelled.’
‘Oh Ash…’ I did my best to hold it together while he held me against his chest. ‘I d-don’t know w-where she could be. And she’s so y-young and… and…’
His hand cupped the back of my head, rubbing a soothing hand down my back, pressing a kiss onto my forehead.
I hauled in a snotty, tearful breath. ‘Sorry… it’s just… I feel so helpless. I don’t know what to do. Or what made her run away. Is this my fault? Is it about Bill?’
Ash kissed my face again and put his hands on my upper arms, as if to anchor me.
‘It’s okay, Claire. I’ve got an idea where she might have gone and none of this is your fault. I’m pretty sure it’s all down to your bloody sister. I’ve never met her and I want to wring her neck.’
I pulled back and looked into his face, my eyes blurred with tears. With a knuckle, he brushed away a tear. ‘We’ll find her.’
‘Where do you think she is?’
‘Harrogate, is my guess. Are you friends with your sister on Facebook?’
‘No, she blocked me a long time ago.’
‘Poppy is. I think she’s gone to find Alice.’
‘Oh.’ His words hit hard. Even though I knew Poppy was a young girl so of course she wanted her mum, it still hurt. ‘She’s spent an awful lot of time poring over her phone these last few days. And acting up.’
‘Does your sister have friends in Harrogate?’
I pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe. Possibly some old school friends. We grew up there. My parents live there. Why Harrogate?’
‘Poppy asked me how far away it was.’
I sat back in my seat. ‘That would make sense.’ I bit my lip. ‘My parents’ place. That’s where Alice would go. They’re not back for a while yet. She knows where they keep the spare key. Yeah, that’s where Alice would go.’
‘So that’s where we’re headed. We’ll find her, Claire.’ He laid a hand on my clenched fingers.
‘Do you think I need to let the police know? They called me and asked me to meet them at the house. I said I’d be there in an hour.’
‘Harrogate’s only half an hour away. It would take you longer to get back to Churchstone by train. And this is a guess. Is there any point saying anything? I can get you back home in an hour.’
‘It’s a good guess. Poppy’s not an adventurous or particularly bold child. Going somewhere that’s slightly familiar – she’s been to her grandparents’ hundreds of times – that makes much more sense.’ I sucked in a harsh breath. ‘But how would she get there? And how would she know?’
‘Bus. There’s a bus that leaves the market square every two hours. There was one at ten past nine this morning. She could have easily looked it up on the internet. She’s a smart cookie.’
‘Yes, but not street smart. What if someone… offered her a lift or something?’
‘Don’t think like that. It’s highly unlikely.’
Despite his words, I did think like that for the next half hour.
‘Take the next right. And then left.’
We finally pulled up on the leafy street outside my parents’ rambling detached 1930s home. They’d lived here for over thirty years and had planted the wisteria that now climbed up the front porch and curled around the window of the master bedroom on the first floor. I leapt out of the car and raced up the gravel drive, ringing the doorbell like a crazy woman, Ash hot on my heels.
The house seemed empty and for a moment I thought we’d come on a fool’s errand but then the door peeled open and Alice peered out. She was all mascara-smudged eyes, tousled hair, and she was wearing a cotton kimono-style dressing-gown.