Taken

by Lisa Stone

  ‘That’s correct.’

  ‘Did you actually see Leila leave with him?’

  Doris seemed as though she was about to confirm this, then hesitated and appeared to change her mind. ‘I’m not sure. Why?’

  ‘Because no one else saw Leila leave with a man, and if she didn’t then it raises the possibility that she wasn’t abducted but has run away.’

  There was a short silence as Doris considered this thoughtfully. Beth and Matt looked at her and waited. ‘It’s important,’ Beth prompted.

  ‘Do you know,’ Doris said after a moment, suddenly making eye contact, ‘now I come to think of it, I remember seeing Leila talking to a man, but I didn’t actually see her leave with him. I saw her get off the swing as if she was about to go with him, then I must have turned away from the window, because when I looked again she and the man had gone. I just assumed she’d left with him. But of course it’s far more likely Leila has run away as she has before. How silly of me. I am sorry.’ She threw them a self-depreciating smile.

  Beth nodded. ‘Mistakes happen and it was dark,’ she said.

  ‘I guess that changes things then, doesn’t it?’ Doris asked. ‘I mean, you won’t be looking for a man with a child now, just a child alone.’

  ‘We won’t rule out the abduction theory completely at this stage as a man was seen talking to Leila. But yes, it does alter our lines of inquiry. Thank you for your time, Mrs Goodman.’

  ‘You’re very welcome.’

  SEVENTEEN

  It was almost laughable, Colin thought. Doris Goodman had warned him not to use his phone, but there was no bloody signal anywhere in the cottage! And no landline. The time on his phone showed 11.15 a.m. and the low-battery signal was on. How was he supposed to charge it with no mains electricity? He couldn’t be expected to live like this. It was ridiculous.

  He threw back the blanket, got off the couch and looked around the one main room. A wintry light crept in through the thin curtains. It was no less grim now than it had been when they’d arrived in the dark, at 4 a.m. The fire that would have once burnt peat for heating and cooking was boarded up, and gas canisters now fuelled a small heater in the living room and a stove in the kitchen.

  They had arrived, exhausted, under a dark, moonless sky, having bumped along Fern Lane – a rough, unlit road – for nearly two miles. He’d had to leave the car’s headlamps on, pointing at the front of Heath Cottage, to find the key Doris had said was hidden under some stones, and then grope for the battery-powered lamp hanging just inside the door. She had told him the cottage was basic, but nothing could have prepared him for this. It was grim beyond belief and he was completely pissed off.

  Leila had started playing up as soon as they’d walked in and she’d discovered the state of the place and that there was no television. He’d quickly lost his temper and shouted at her. She’d shouted back in a voice that sounded very much like her mother’s. But the cottage was so remote no one could hear them. She was still asleep in the only habitable bedroom. The other bedroom was unusable due to a badly leaking roof that Doris had either omitted to mention or been unaware of. Colin had slept on the sofa in the living room and had given Leila the bed. Not out of chivalry, but because he wasn’t going to leave her alone in the room that had the only door in and out of the cottage. Doubtless she was as pissed off as he was and would scarper given the opportunity. He’d checked the window in her bedroom and it was stuck closed from layers of paint added over the years. Thankfully, the bedding had been stored in sealed polythene bags to keep out the damp. Even so, he’d been cold and unable to stretch out his legs on the sofa, so he’d hardly slept a wink. Now he was going to have to boil water on the camping stove to wash and make a hot drink!

  He opened the curtains that covered the small casement windows and his spirits sank even further. A thick mist had rolled in from the moors, reducing visibility to nil. He’d have to wait until it lifted before venturing out. The nearest village with a grocery store was three miles away and Doris had warned him to use it only if he really had to. Strangers appearing outside of the tourist season were sure to spark interest in the locals. If they were asked where they were staying, which was highly likely, he should say they were just passing through. Doris had told him to drive into Marsborough, the next big town, for provisions, but that was fifteen miles away! He clearly wouldn’t be doing that yet. Aside from the fog, if he got in the car in his present mood he was unlikely to return.

  The bedroom door slowly creaked open and Leila appeared, clutching her teddy bear. Like him she’d slept in her clothes to keep warm. ‘I’m hungry,’ she said. ‘And cold. This place is creepy.’ Her gaze went past him to the window and the fog outside. ‘I don’t like it here. I’m scared. It’s like a horror movie.’

  ‘And if you don’t behave yourself, the fog monster will get you,’ he said, baring his teeth in a grimace.

  He began searching the cupboards in the small kitchen for cooking utensils. If he could make something to eat, he might start to feel a bit better.

  ‘I want to go home,’ Leila whined, watching him from the doorway.

  ‘So you keep saying.’

  ‘You and Granny Goodman told me my life would be better if I came here with you, but it’s not, it’s got worse.’

  Colin felt a stab of sympathy for her. They were in this together. ‘It will get better,’ he said more gently, turning to look at her.

  ‘When?’ she asked.

  ‘When you stop asking questions. If you want to make yourself useful, fetch one of the cans of food from the holdall.’ He’d found a pan and was now trying to work out how to use the bloody stove. Doris had said there would be enough gas in the canister to see them through a couple of days and then he’d have to buy more from Marsborough.

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Leila go to the holdall, rummage through it and take out a can of beans and sausages. She placed it on the small wooden table beside him, then walked over to the door and leant nonchalantly against the wall as if she hadn’t a care in the world. He smiled to himself. Cute, but he wasn’t that daft. It seemed the fog monster outside held more appeal than staying with him. A few moments later she’d grabbed the door handle and was trying to open it.

  ‘It’s locked,’ he said, and laughed as he emptied the can of beans into the pan. ‘As if I’d go to all the trouble of bringing you here only to have you vanish! You’re my passport to the future, so you’d better get used to it. And after we’ve eaten, I’m going to cut your hair short.’

  ‘Why?’ She stared at him in horror.

  ‘To make you look different so I can take you out.’

  ‘I don’t want it cut. I don’t want to go out. I want to go home.’ Her bottom lip trembled.

  ‘Going home isn’t an option, so cheer up. I really don’t like miserable children. In fact, now I’ve spent time with you, I don’t think I like them at all.’ He laughed mirthlessly.

  EIGHTEEN

  Kelsey and Sharon sat to attention on the sofa as the missing person’s appeal for information appeared on the television. ‘About bloody time,’ Kelsey said as Sharon raised the volume.

  A picture of Leila in her school uniform was now on the screen as the news presenter spoke. ‘Police are appealing for information on the disappearance of Leila Smith, who went missing four days ago from a play area on the Hawthorn Estate, Coleshaw.’ A shot of the play area flashed up and then the screen returned to the photo of Leila as the presenter continued. ‘Leila is eight years old, has long brown hair and blue eyes and is of average height and build. When she was last seen she was wearing her school uniform with a navy zip-up jacket and black trainers, and was carrying her school bag. She may have a teddy bear with her similar to this one.’ A picture of the once-popular bear appeared on the screen and was then minimized as the presenter continued. ‘Leila was last seen at approximately six o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the thirteenth of November, talking to a man in his early fifties. Police would lik
e to speak to that man and anyone who may have information about Leila’s disappearance. Concern for her safety is growing. Please call the number below or contact your local police station.’

  The appeal ended as abruptly as it had begun, and another news item started. Sharon pressed the remote to silence the television.

  ‘Is that it?’ Kelsey asked, disappointed. ‘It wasn’t very long.’

  ‘It’s probably long enough to jog someone’s memory,’ Sharon said flatly.

  ‘Why did they say Leila may have her teddy bear with her?’ Kelsey asked. ‘She must have it. It’s not here.’

  ‘Because the police can’t be a hundred per cent certain.’

  ‘I told them she had it. Don’t they believe me?’

  ‘It’s difficult,’ Sharon replied carefully. ‘I mean, you get confused sometimes, and Beth said it’s unlikely Leila returned to collect her teddy bear.’

  ‘So where is it?’ Kelsey demanded, her eyes flashing. ‘It certainly isn’t here. I’ve turned the place upside down.’

  ‘It’s possible it went missing some time ago,’ Sharon offered.

  ‘And I didn’t notice! Well, fuck you, Sharon!’ Kelsey jumped up and confronted her sister. ‘Time for you to go before I say something I’m going to regret.’

  Sharon stood. ‘It’s impossible to talk to you when you’re like this. I’ll go if that’s what you want. I’ve left you a microwave meal in the kitchen for your dinner tonight and there are others in the fridge.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Kelsey said tightly.

  Sharon hesitated. ‘Are you sure you won’t come and stay with me for a while?’

  ‘Yes. I prefer my own company and I want to be here if Leila comes back.’

  ‘You won’t let anyone in, will you?’

  Kelsey shrugged and Sharon knew the answer was probably yes, that even after the beating Kelsey had received and from which she was still recovering, she would put herself at risk again to obtain money for drugs.

  ‘I’ll leave you fifty pounds if you promise you won’t let anyone in.’

  ‘You’re kidding me?’

  ‘No.’

  Kelsey stared in disbelief as Sharon took the cash from her purse and handed it to her. ‘I really don’t understand you. You know what this will be spent on.’

  Sharon shrugged. ‘That’s your choice. I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s Saturday and I’m not working, so I’ll come over mid-morning.’

  ‘OK.’

  Kelsey watched her sister leave, unable to fathom her. Sharon had known her hard-earned money would go on drugs or alcohol, yet instead of another lecture she’d given her the money to buy them – to keep her safe. Was she doing her a favour? Kelsey really didn’t know. Her head was full to bursting. Leila was missing and the longer it went on the less chance there was of finding her alive, and it was all her fault. Sharon knew that, yet she was still willing to support her. She should be grateful she had a sister like her.

  NINETEEN

  Colin was starting to feel a bit better now he was back in civilization. It had been the right decision to drive into Marsborough. It was Saturday and the shopping centre was heaving with families, so a middle-aged man with a child didn’t stand out. He’d bought groceries and other provisions and now Leila was amusing herself in the children’s play area provided by the shopping centre, while he sat nearby enjoying a second cup of coffee and a croissant. His phone and laptop were charging at the courtesy power point at his table, so life didn’t seem so bad now. If he could come here every couple of days then he could probably face staying in that godforsaken cottage as planned until all the fuss had died down.

  He took another sip of coffee and glanced over to where Leila was playing. She was barely recognizable with her hair cut short. That had been a good move. Clever. He moved his cup and saucer to one side and opened his laptop while it continued to charge. He began going through the emails in his inbox. It was surprising how many had accumulated since he’d last been able to log in – at his flat – even though he didn’t know that many people. There were two official emails from HR at work, a less formal one from his boss and a friendly one from a work colleague, although Colin couldn’t ever remember giving the man his email address. They all said pretty much the same thing, only differently: where was he? When would he be returning to work? And he needed to get in touch straight away. The short answer was no, he wouldn’t be going back or getting in touch. Ever. He was supposed to be dead. He smiled to himself. They’d find out eventually when the police broke into his flat and found his suicide note.

  He deleted the junk email and then read the notice of the standing order for his rent. It was due to be taken at the end of the month. He couldn’t cancel it or any other standing order for the same reason he couldn’t contact work or access his bank account. If anyone checked, it could give him away. He’d gradually withdrawn most of his money in cash during the months leading up to his departure. He assumed that once his bank account was empty the standing orders would be refused, so it would sort itself out. Having been meticulous in managing his money all his life, never getting into debt or going overdrawn, he now felt an irresponsible devil-may-care lightness and a wish to be free of it all. It buoyed up his spirits even further.

  Emails read, Colin closed his inbox, then tapped the keypad to bring up the online news. The national news headlines appeared first, but he wasn’t interested in those. He scrolled down the page – through the state of the economy and trouble in the Middle East – until he found what he was looking for: Appeal for Missing Child. He’d been expecting something, so it wasn’t a shock. Of course the police would put out an appeal to try to find Leila. It was usual when a child went missing.

  Leaning in and tilting the screen slightly towards him so those passing or sitting at nearby tables couldn’t see, he began to read: Police are appealing for information on the disappearance of Leila Smith, aged eight, who was last seen on Tuesday, 13 November, playing on the Hawthorn Estate, Coleshaw … There was a photo of Leila in her school uniform, but now she was dressed in the clothes he’d bought for her and had her hair cut short she looked completely different. He read on … She was last seen talking to a man thought to be in his fifties, of medium height and build … That didn’t give much away, although he was only forty-eight, he thought churlishly. And she may have a teddy bear with her similar to this one, the article continued.

  His heart stopped. There was a picture of a bear identical to Leila’s. Newer and less used, but distinctive and recognizable. Fuck! Where the hell was it? Did she have it with her now? He looked over to where she was playing, then stood for a better view. He couldn’t see the bear, but he doubted she’d left it at the cottage or in the car. That bloody bear went everywhere with her and it could be their undoing. Had she brought it into the shopping centre? He couldn’t remember. He looked under the table and then lifted her coat, dumped on the seat next to his. To his utter relief the bear was there.

  Quickly covering it over again he glanced around, made sure no one was watching him, then checked Leila wasn’t looking in his direction and carried the bear in the coat to the nearest bin. Reaching under the coat, he furtively stuffed the bear into the bin as far down as it would go. He checked that no part of it was visible above the other rubbish and then returned to his table, relieved. He should have got rid of it at the start. In fact, he should never have gone back for it in the first place. It was the one mistake he’d made, and he needed to make sure it was his last.

  ‘I’m hungry,’ Leila whinged, arriving back at the table. ‘Can we have McDonald’s? We passed one on the way in.’

  Colin sighed. He was trying to read the rest of the news. ‘We’ll eat later.’ The kid was always hungry and asking for food. It was an obsession with her, although she was skinny.

  ‘We’ve been here ages,’ she moaned.

  ‘And you’ve been having a good time, so go and play some more.’ He could have sat there all day drinking coffee – the pla
ce was warm and comfortable, not like the cottage.

  ‘I’m bored,’ Leila whined, still standing beside him.

  He tried to ignore her. She was often bored. Without a television in the cottage, she didn’t know how to amuse herself. To stop her moaning all day and bothering him, he’d taught her some simple paper-and-pen games like noughts and crosses and hangman. She’d learnt surprisingly quickly and had stopped complaining and enjoyed playing – so had he, if he was honest. They’d almost had fun. But while he’d been sitting here, he’d taken the opportunity to use the shopping centre’s Wi-Fi to download some children’s films. When they returned to the cottage, if she was good, she could watch those on his laptop.

  ‘I’m hungry!’ she said more loudly. A man with his partner and two children at the next table looked over.

  Colin closed his laptop. ‘OK. We’ll go to McDonald’s,’ he said amicably, loud enough for them to hear.

  ‘Yippee!’ Leila cried, clapping her hands.

  The man at the next table threw him a smile, empathizing with his situation. Colin doubted he would feel much empathy if he knew the truth.

  He packed his laptop, phone and chargers into his briefcase and picked up their coats.

  ‘I want a six-piece chicken McNugget Happy Meal,’ Leila said, and gave a little jump of delight.

  ‘I would like …’ Colin corrected as they walked away and the man nodded approvingly.

  It was only once they were outside, crossing the car park and heading towards McDonald’s, that Leila realized she didn’t have her teddy bear.

  ‘Stop!’ she shouted, coming to an abrupt halt. ‘I’ve left Buttons in there!’ She immediately turned and began running back towards the entrance.

  Colin ran to catch up with her and grabbed her by the arm. ‘It’s not in there. I’ll get you another bear.’