‘What is it?’
‘My brother, Ray. I’ve not seen him for years. He wouldn’t take my baby.’ She shakes her head.
‘Don’t you get on with him?’
‘We’ve not fallen out as such.’ She flicks through some blank pages.
‘But he doesn’t visit?’
‘No.’
‘You said it wasn’t entirely Adam’s choice to leave last time.’
‘My dad threatened him. He was angry that he’d got me pregnant. Told him to leave or else.’
‘Do you think someone could have forced Adam to leave this time and possibly harmed him?’
‘He had a fight with an ex-boyfriend, but he’s in prison for stabbing his hand.’
‘What’s his name?’ The inspector purses her lips.
‘Tony Willis. Adam only came back into our lives two years ago.’
‘I see. And what were his circumstances?’
Alison glances across at the notes but can’t read anything. ‘He was on his own. Working, renting a place. That’s it.’ She flicks further through the address book.
‘How did he react to you becoming pregnant this time?’
‘I’d like to say he was as pleased as I was, but I can’t.’
‘He expressed doubts?’ the inspector asks.
‘That’s one way of putting it. He didn’t want me to keep Charlie. Wanted us to wait. Wait for what? I asked him, I’ve been waiting long enough for us to be together.’ Her tea is cold when she sips it. She pushes the cup away. ‘He got really angry, said he’d never marry me.’ The tears come from nowhere and choke her up. She can’t seem to get a grip. Julie passes her a tissue.
‘I’m sorry, I know this is upsetting, but we need to build a picture. Is there anything else you can think of that might help us find your baby?’ She closes her notebook. ‘Even if you think it might be insignificant.’
‘What about the phone calls?’ Julie hands her another tissue.
‘There’s been a few and the person doesn’t speak. I know someone’s there, but they don’t answer me.’
‘Have you any idea who it might be?’ the inspector asks.
‘I thought it was Adam at first, but now I’m not sure.’
‘Okay, I think best case scenario is Adam has been coming back to the house quite frequently and the likelihood is that he took Charlie out early this morning because he wanted to let you get some sleep. On the other end of the scale, perhaps his intention is to keep him. It does happen unfortunately. With any luck, he’s seen sense and is on his way back right now.’
‘But he wouldn’t empty drawers and leave the front door open, would he?’
Inspector Downy doesn’t answer.
‘I mean, what about the day I went into labour? My underwear drawer was full of…’ she exhales a breath and tries to hold the tears in, ‘disgusting old underwear, huge bras and grey baggy knickers that aren’t mine.’
‘And the moths,’ says Jamie, ‘and Poppy going missing.’
‘Yes, there’s been a few weird things. The dog vanished while we were at Legoland. The back door was wide open and there was a wire across the open gate. I tripped on it and soon after I went into labour.’
‘It must be Adam playing a sick joke,’ Julie says.
‘That does all point to something more sinister. We need to check when this ex-boyfriend Tony is due out of prison. But keep an open mind at this early stage. You must try not to worry yourself.’
‘How can I not worry?’ Alison clutches the tiny vest.
‘Most people are found in the first twenty-four hours.’
‘But this is a baby.’ Tears flood her again. It seems so hopeless.
‘I’m sure we’re going to find him,’ the inspector says.
She wants to believe her, but she has the same sick feeling she had when Jamie fell out of the tree. Her eyes settle on the baby’s hospital nametag sitting on the windowsill. She picks it up. There is a long number followed by ‘Baby Boy of Alison Wood DOB 02/12/19 @09:05’.
‘He still had one of his nametags on, round his wrist.’ Alison shows the tag to the inspector. ‘I meant to cut it off, but we were both so tired.’
‘We’re already out looking for Adam. The sooner we can establish if Charlie is with him, the better.’
‘I feel useless sitting around here, isn’t there something I can do to help?’ Alison says.
‘You need to sit tight. Adam may try to contact you. I’ll need a photo of Charlie, please.’
‘I don’t have any of him. What if he cuts his tag off?’
‘Did Charlie have any distinguishing marks?’
‘Yes, a small strawberry mark near the bottom of his spine, in a sort of crescent shape.’
‘That’s going to be very helpful.’
The doorbell rings. Julie answers it. PC Blunt walks in, clearly flustered.
‘Sandra, Mrs Walsh, has seen a woman letting herself into this house on more than one occasion,’ she says. ‘Miss Wood, do you have a cleaning lady?’
‘No, I do not. Although someone has been cleaning up. I thought it was Adam. How did they get my key?’
‘We don’t know and unfortunately Sandra assumed you had a cleaner, and never thought to mention it. But your new neighbour next door, Natty, says she spoke to your cleaner the day you went into labour. Apparently she was about to let herself in here.’
‘But I don’t have a cleaner!’
‘Sandra’s description was very sketchy but Natty’s is much clearer. This woman sounds similar to the one you described in the hospital, except she was wearing a baseball cap pulled down her forehead, so it’s difficult to get a clear ID. She was holding a carry case full of cleaning products and wearing a blue tabard. She didn’t appear to speak English.’
‘The woman in the hospital certainly did. How long has this been going on?’
‘Sandra first saw her around two weeks ago. Do you have any idea who this woman might be? Could it be someone you know? A customer who has a grudge against you, perhaps?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘We’ll get an artist’s impression of her from the neighbours and the CCTV, and we’d like you to do a TV appeal as soon as possible to help find Charlie. PC Blunt will accompany you to that. She’ll stay here for now in case Adam contacts you or turns up.’
Julie lets the inspector out. The wind has picked up and the clouds have blackened into a bruise. Alison watches the washing she left out all night flap around like trapped birds: a pair of Jamie’s school trousers, her dress with the tiny flower pattern and three Babygros. The first ones Charlie ever wore.
‘It’s going to heave it down in a minute,’ Julie says.
Alison’s lips tremble but she isn’t going to give in again. She opens the back door to go and collect the washing, but a strong gust pulls it right out of her hand and slams it shut.
At almost 2 p.m., PC Blunt tells her they have no firm leads and want her to go on TV that afternoon. They can’t hang around waiting for Adam to be found and a nationwide appeal is the best course of action. All she can do now is hope someone watching will know where Charlie is.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Maddy: December 2019
‘Did you have a nice day?’ Maddy asks when Emily comes in from school, followed by Sarah and Sophie.
‘Yes, thank you.’ Emily shows her a new keyring for her collection. The word ‘sister’ is in pink capital letters on both sides.
‘That’s all she wanted from the Science Museum gift shop, I thought I’d lost it, but it was in the bottom of my handbag,’ Sarah says with a pained expression.
‘I’m still a sister, aren’t I, now I have a brother?’
It takes a moment for Maddy to realise that she means Jamie. ‘Of course you are, darling.’
‘Are you all right?’ Sarah looks puzzled. ‘You look tired, it must have been a good night.’
‘I’ve never felt better thanks, but I didn’t exactly get to the restaurant though.�
�� She’s hardly slept in days but she has endless energy, so a sleepless night with a baby hasn’t phased her. He settled well after his last feed. It was a joy watching him fall asleep in her arms. ‘There’s a surprise for you both in my room.’ Maddy takes Emily’s coat from her and can’t contain her smile.
Emily lets out a whoop and thunders up the stairs.
‘Thanks for picking her up today,’ Maddy says.
‘Are you sure you’re all right? You seem… different.’
Maddy nods. Sarah’s never seen her so happy, that’s why she’s worried.
‘Mummy!’ Emily shrieks down the stairs.
‘What is it?’ Sarah looks alarmed.
‘Shall we go up?’ Maddy grins.
In Maddy’s bedroom, Emily is peering into the crib and squeals with delight when they come in.
‘Is it a girl, Mummy?’ Emily asks.
‘No, a boy.’
‘Oh my god! You mean you’ve had the baby?’ Sarah rushes forward to peek in then gives Maddy a hug.
‘I know and it was so quick I wondered if I would make it to the hospital in time.’
‘So, what happened? He’s so early.’
‘My waters broke in the restaurant car park. Took me completely by surprise.’
‘Didn’t that happen when you had Chloe?’
‘Did it? I don’t remember.’
‘And they let you come home, even though you’re what, five weeks early?’
‘Thankfully he’s a healthy weight, 5lb 9oz.’
‘That is quite big for a premature baby, especially as your bump was so small. Look at him though, he’s so gorgeous.’
‘They said sometimes when people have a small bump, they don’t even realise they’re pregnant until they’re in labour.’
‘Well, thank God you knew.’
‘They said my dates could have been wrong.’ Maddy avoids looking at her directly. Be careful. She’s trying to catch you out.
‘And they didn’t notice that before?’
Maddy shakes her head.
‘Why didn’t you call me? I could have picked you up.’
‘I wanted to come straight home. Hospitals can be so… unfriendly.’ She fusses about, stacking nappies into a drawer.
‘Didn’t you need a baby seat for the car?’
‘I’d already bought one, didn’t I tell you?’ She wishes Sarah would stop asking questions, it’s making her dizzy.
‘Look at his tiny fingers, Mummy,’ Emily says, pointing at him.
‘And everything was all right with the birth?’
‘It was so quick. Really. I feel fine.’
‘He’s so beautiful, Maddy, the absolute image of Max, isn’t he?’ Sarah stops frowning at last.
‘Exactly like him.’ Maddy sighs. ‘I think he has my eyes.’
‘What’s his name? What’s his name?’ Emily jumps up and down on the spot.
‘He doesn’t have a name yet. You didn’t have a name for several weeks.’
Emily squints and taps her lips with a finger. ‘How about Sam?’ she says. ‘I like that name.’
‘I think it’s lovely too, darling. Hello Sam,’ Maddy says, stroking the side of his face.
Emily kisses his cheek. ‘Sam won’t have to go away like Chloe and Daddy, will he?’
Sarah grimaces.
‘Oh darling,’ Maddy kneels and hugs Emily, ‘I hope he’s going to be with us for a very long time.’
* * *
Maddy is up again through the night, bottle feeding Sam every three or four hours. The lack of sleep bothers her less than she imagined; in fact, she often wakes before he does. She’s enjoying having so much more energy. It doesn’t seem that long ago since she last had a newborn to look after. Her body glows with warmth each time she looks at him. Sam. Samuel. She likes it. Emily must have remembered they talked about the name when she first became pregnant.
It is Sunday afternoon and an unexpected warmth seeps into the day. Maddy hands Sam over to Emily who places him on the blanket in the pram.
They walk down to the parade of shops in the precinct and are stopped at least three times by neighbours and people they know.
‘Five pounds nine ounces when he was born,’ Maddy tells Mrs Jordan outside her flower shop. ‘Tiny like my girls.’
‘Still, as long as he’s healthy.’ Mrs Jordan has known Maddy since she was a baby.
‘That’s what I said to the midwife. They do flap about these days,’ Maddy says.
Emily rocks the pram, humming ‘Rock-a-bye Baby’.
Mrs Jordan leans closer to Maddy. ‘She’s taken to him then,’ she whispers.
‘She adores him,’ Maddy says. How happy Emily looks. Her hair has thinned so much around the crown, but hopefully it’ll grow back.
‘Good for her, isn’t it?’
Maddy nods. ‘She loves having a little brother to look after.’
‘He’s got his dad’s chin and hair, bless him.’ Mrs Jordan plucks a sprig of gypsophila from a vase in the shop window.
‘Yes, he’s Max’s son all right,’ Maddy strokes the downy quiff with her fingertips, ‘and Mum thinks he’s the most beautiful baby she’s ever seen.’
‘Does she now? Well I never.’ Mrs Jordan’s eyes widen and Maddy smiles at her.
‘Don’t forget to look after yourself, dear. You look wacked out.’ She places the posy of tiny white flowers at the bottom of the pram. ‘Baby’s breath, for pure of heart. You be good for your mummy, little one.’
Maddy thanks Mrs Jordan for her kindness and heads up George Street. A tunnel of cold wind rattles crisp leaves along the pavement. Just look at your baby, Madeleine, isn’t he perfect?
‘I’m your mummy, and I love you very much,’ Maddy leans down and whispers to baby Sam. Every part of her is fit to burst with love.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Alison: December 2019
Alison can’t sleep. Charlie has been missing for over twenty-four hours. The empty crib and the soft scent of baby powder lingers in the air, making her weep. Her breasts are engorged with milk so she sits on the bed and expresses as much as she can, filling a small bottle. After, she folds all Charlie’s clothes into neat piles. She can’t believe she doesn’t have a photo of him. At least if they find him with Adam she’ll get them both back, although she’s not sure she can forgive him. She spent half the night trying to come up with a sensible reason why he would have done this to her. Any alternative leaves her cold.
They’re hoping this cleaner might make an appearance so they can rule her out, but there’s been no sign of her for the past two days. Natty and Sandra have told them all they can about what she looks like, and the police have released an artist’s impression. But it’s no one she recognises.
* * *
It’s gone 9 a.m. when she answers a knock at the door expecting a policeman to be there with fresh information, but it is Ray.
‘Hey, sis.’ Ray’s voice sounds more gravelly than it used to. His boyish face is now marked with deep lines. She hugs him tight. Ray gently pulls back.
‘Hey, they’ll find your kid, he’ll be fine.’ He stamps solid clumps of mud off his boots. She closes the door behind him and they stand in the hallway, suddenly awkward in the thick silence.
‘You should have called me,’ he says at last.
She can’t think why when she hasn’t seen him for eight years. She looks past him, at Charlie’s all-in-one coat hanging on the coat rack. He’ll be freezing without it on a day like this.
He follows her into the living room. ‘I’d heard Adam was back on the scene. Knew trouble would follow.’
They sit either end of the three-seater sofa. Ray rubs his rough-skinned palms together.
‘The police can’t find Adam.’ She stares at a stain on the rug.
‘Well they found me all right, so they’ll find him.’
Alison shrugs.
‘So, his kid’s gone missing and he’s run away, why am I not surprised?’
A
lison covers her mouth with her fist. She knows what’s coming. Raking through the past. She’s too tired for this.
‘Don’t tell me – he’s left you again?’
‘I don’t know, do I?’ Alison thumps a cushion.
‘Adam’s got your baby, obvious, isn’t it?’
‘Is it? The police don’t think so.’
He moves over and puts his hand on her arm. ‘So why didn’t you call me?’
‘Because it’s been years. I didn’t know how things stood between us.’
Ray puts his arm around her shoulders and gives her a squeeze. ‘Sorry, I should have got in touch sooner.’
Jamie peeps round the door.
‘Hey, is this your boy, how are you doing?’ Ray puts his hand up for a high five. Jamie hesitates.
‘This is your Uncle Ray.’ Alison rubs her eyes.
‘Are you okay, Mum?’ Jamie gives her a hug.
‘I’ll be fine. Switch the kettle on for me, there’s a good boy. I expect your Uncle Ray could kill a cuppa.’
‘Too right,’ he says, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket. Jamie grins as Ray swoops from side to side pretending to punch his arm.
Alison makes the tea while Ray stands at the back door, smoking. Jamie goes in the living room to watch TV.
‘Dad always said Adam was bad news, sis.’
‘Yeah and he knew everything, didn’t he?’
‘You were barely eighteen.’
‘I knew what I was doing. At least I thought I did. Anyway, I’ve got Jamie, haven’t I?’
‘I know, but what I’m saying is, you were just a kid.’
‘What about you and, what’s her name?’
‘Now that was different.’
‘How?’
‘End of story, okay?’ He stubs the cigarette out on the outside wall and lights another. Still chain smoking. She remembers when he started, age fourteen, hanging out with a group of older boys down the allotments.
Every Little Secret Page 24