‘Yes, the garden flat was lovely, but I don't really like basements. The one in the mansion block is more my thing. It's close to where we used to live, it's light and airy, and the rent's not too high, all I need is a job!’
‘Don't worry, you'll get one soon. What about your Mum, is she staying in Oxford?’
‘I don't think so, what with the recent events I think she wants to go away, she loves Oxford, but not during the long winter months, I think she's looking for a place in Spain or Greece.’
‘Wow! She really has had enough, and what about Nick, have you heard anything?’
I catch my breath at the sound of his name and get up to leave. ‘No. Come on, let's go back to your hotel, you've got a plane to catch, remember?’
Helen's not stupid, she tugs at my arm. ‘Beth, do they know where Nick is, have they told you?’
I shake my head. ‘I haven't heard anything.’
We start walking to the park exit, opposite the Hilton Hotel and Queensway Underground station, my hands are deep in my pockets holding the conkers I collected for Jamie.
‘Come on Beth, you must have heard something, what about that Inspector guy you're always talking about?’
I have to laugh; she never gives up. ‘I had a call from DCI Thomas this morning, he asked me to pop into the station today, but as I was coming to meet you, I said I'd see him later.’
‘Did he give you some idea of what it's about?’
‘No, he wouldn't say anything on the phone, he said he'd tell me later, when I get back.’
‘Why didn't you tell me this morning?’
‘Why? It's probably nothing. You know how they love to exaggerate things. There's probably been a sighting of him somewhere. Maybe he's in Europe, who cares? I really don't want to know.’ I don't know why I said that because I would like to know where he is, I often think I see him when I'm out, I get a whiff of his cologne.
She's got that worried look on her face again. ‘But what if he's still in Oxford?’
‘So, what if he is? I don't think he'll be bothering me again, do you?’
She gives me a funny look, pulls me across the road before the traffic lights change, then we walk to her hotel. It's only a few minutes’ walk from the park so we don't have far to go.
As soon as we enter her room, she rushes to the loo, I go onto the balcony to take in the amazing view. If I had an apartment at the top of a block with views like this, I'd never leave London.
A few minutes later Helen joins me, we stand admiring the view, then she turns to me, an anxious look on her face. ‘Beth, it could be dangerous if you stay here, why don't you come back to Athens? Jamie can go back to his old school. Maybe you can get your old job back, you never know, it's worth trying.’
She knows I'm worried about Jamie, but it's only been a few weeks, not too long, he's bright, he'll easily catch up. Then I start thinking of Nick.
‘Beth, did you hear me?’
‘Sorry, I was miles away.’
‘Does Alex know what happened? He often phones me, he says he's worried about you, and Jamie. I don't know what to say. I always try and change the subject.’
I nod. ‘Yes, I've also had a few calls from him as well but haven’t answered them. Why should I, after what happened in Athens.’
‘Come on, let's not get depressed, I'll be leaving for the airport soon, let’s go to the bar and have a drink.’
‘Yes, only two days in London, business must be good.’
She laughs and snaps her expensive looking bag shut. ‘It will be very good if I get this contract, that's why I'm here, and to see you of course.’
‘Good for you, you deserve it.’
‘Thank you, Beth, it's really very easy, I promote their hotel by offering discounts then I get commission from them.’
As we walk to the elevator she suddenly stops. ‘Don't forget to take the coach home, not the train, okay, promise?’
I nod, but I've no intention of taking the coach back to Oxford.
25
Back to Oxford
We only have time for a quick drink then I walk with Helen to Bayswater Underground station, she takes the train to Heathrow Airport, I walk to Paddington Station. It’s only a ten minute walk and soon I’m passing the guy handing out the free edition of the Evening Standard and a guy dishing out discount vouchers for the local McDonalds.
I walk down the little side street into the station and search the overhead board for my platform. There it is - Platform 3 at 6.05 only five minutes to go.
It's the rush hour in London so not the best time to travel, all the carriages are full, quite the opposite to the last time I was here. Suddenly I picture that fateful day, that horrible man sitting beside me. I shudder and force myself to stop thinking of him. There’s a spare seat by the window so I quickly sit down.
A few minutes later there’s the familiar clank and groan as the train leaves the station. If I hadn't been in such a rush to catch the train on that day, if I'd waited and caught the next train. Then I stop myself, it did happen, so deal with it.
I force myself to stop thinking and press my face up against the window. I peer at the passing warehouses, the backs of old Victorian houses which at some time must have been beautiful. You can see inside them and sometimes catch a glimpse of the lives of those who live there. But they can also see us, something we tend to ignore. I wonder what secrets the people in these old houses hold?
The train's packed with people heading home from the city after a hard day’s work. Heads are buried in iPhones and iPads, a few read the free London newspaper, others just sit with their eyes closed.
The journey passes quickly, an hour after leaving Paddington the train pulls into Oxford and I hurry home.
‘Mum, Jamie, I'm back.’
No reply. Where is everyone? I walk from room to room, but nobody's here.
A few minutes later the front door opens and in comes Mum.
‘Hey Mum, where's Jamie?’
She gives me a puzzled look. ‘Isn’t he with you?’
‘Why should he be?’ Then I look at her face and my heart skips a beat. ‘Did you collect him from school?’
She runs over and grabs me. ‘He said he was going with you to London.’
‘But...’ My legs feel weak, I feel dizzy. ‘When did he say that?’
‘This morning, he was in the kitchen having breakfast, I had an early appointment with the estate agent. He said he was going with you.’
I look at her in horror, her face crumples, her lips start trembling.
‘He didn't come with me I thought you were taking him.’
Her face is ashen, tears stream down her cheeks.
I stand staring at her, frozen with fear. ‘So, if he didn't go to school, where is he?’
‘Have you tried his mobile?’
Before I can reach my phone, Mum's already calling him, no reply, it goes to voicemail.
‘Call the police, tell them he's missing,’ she shrieks.
DCI Thomas isn't at the station, so I speak to someone who says he'll be round to see us soon.
Mum's sitting at the kitchen table frowning. ‘This isn't like Jamie. He must be in such a state - why don't you call Helen?’
‘Helen! What can she do? She's on a plane on her way back to Athens.’
She grabs her car keys and rushes to the door.
‘Where are you going?’ I demand, running after her.
‘I'm going to look for him, see if I can find him.’
I pull her back. ‘Don't, the police will be here soon, wait and see what they say.’
‘But we must do something, we can't just sit here, can you think of anywhere he'd go?’
Then a terrible thought comes to me. I grab my phone and text Helen.
Jamie is missing call me as soon as you land.
Ten minutes later PC Arnold arrives, I take him into the kitchen, he glances at Mum who points to a chair.
‘Now tell me exactly what happened?’
he says, taking out his notebook.
Mum and I look at each other.
‘Has the little lad been under a lot of pressure recently?’
I tell him about the firebomb, how he hates his new school and wants to go back to Athens.
‘DCI Thomas is dealing with the case, check with him, he knows everything.’
He asks for a recent photo of Jamie; Mum pulls out her phone and shows him one taken in Spain.
PC Arnold nods and hands her a card. ‘You can send it to me here.’
He walks to the door then turns. ‘Keep your phones with you at all times.’
Mum follows him out. ‘Get them to search the streets of Oxford.’ Then in a lower voice she adds. ‘He may be sitting somewhere, frightened to come home, he's only eleven, he'll be twelve next week.’
PC Arnold nods and leaves.
26
Where is Jamie?
I have visions of Jamie wandering around Oxford, not wanting to come home, worried I'll be angry. Then I think of what could happen to him. What time is it? When will Helen land? Oh, this is crazy, what can she do, he's in Oxford not in Athens. But maybe he did call her. Maybe he left her a message.
Mum's making tea, she says nothing, but her face says it all.
A couple of hours later my phone rings, it's Helen.
‘Beth, have you heard from Jamie?’
‘No, I was hoping you might know something.’
‘But why would I know? Why would he call me?’
She pauses for a minute. ‘Have you tried his dad? He might have called him.’
‘He's the last person I want to talk to,’ I reply, rubbing my head, trying to think. ‘And why would he call Alex? He never has the time for Jamie. He's too busy running around being the hotshot lawyer.’
‘Beth, when we were in the park you said Jamie hates the school and wants to go back to Athens.’
‘Yes.’
‘I'll give Alex a call, he might know something, what do you think?’
“I don’t know why he should know, but if you think it would help.’
A few minutes later my phone rings, it's Helen.
‘Beth, I've something to tell you, now don't worry, and don't get upset.’
‘What is it?’
‘Jamie's here, he's with his dad.’
‘What?’ I can't believe it, he can't be in Athens, how could he get there?
As if reading my mind she quickly adds.
‘He called Alex, told him about the fire, about going to Spain with your Mum. Beth, he told him he hates the school and that he wants to come back to Athens with you.’
I sit listening in horror it's my worst nightmare come true.
‘Alex is furious you didn't tell him, that's why he did this.’ She pauses for a moment. ‘Didn't you miss him this morning? I thought you walked him to school?’
‘I do. But Mum often gets up early and takes him. She found him in the kitchen, he said he was going to London with me and she believed him. She was late, she had an appointment with the estate agent. He must have left for the airport soon after because when I came down, he wasn't there. I thought Mum had taken him to school.’
I try to breathe slowly. I still can't believe he would do this. I stare out of the kitchen window thinking of Jamie, he could have left me a note. He could have sent me a text.
Then I think of Alex. ‘Why did Alex send him a ticket? Why didn't he call me or at least text me? He knew I'd be going out of my mind with worry when I discovered he wasn't here.’ Then a thought comes to me. ‘How did they allow him on the plane by himself? I had to accompany him through security at the airport to make sure he was taken on board by a flight attendant, I had to complete loads of forms, they’re very hot on this, how did he do it?’
‘Jamie was very lucky. It seems a friend of Alex’s, another lawyer, was returning to Athens. Alex asked him to accompany Jamie on the flight, he spoke to the authorities and sent them all the relevant documentation giving his consent, he is his father and also a very good lawyer – I think this was done a few days ago, Jamie had it all planned.’
‘Why would Jamie do this?’
‘Beth, you must try to relax, get some sleep, I'll see him in the morning, we'll have a chat, then I'll call you.’
I say nothing, I know she's trying to help but I feel so angry. I wish I'd hidden his passport, but how was I to know he'd do something like this, he's only eleven well nearly twelve.
‘I'm just so angry, at least Alex could have texted me. Helen, I really want to speak to Jamie.’
‘Leave it Beth, Alex said he's in his room, he must be exhausted. It's just gone 11.00 in the evening here, so he's had a long day.’ She pauses then adds. ‘Alex has a big court case tomorrow, he...’
‘I'm getting the next plane to Athens we'll sort everything out when I get there.’
‘No Beth, it's too late, stay there, go to bed, I'll call you in the morning.’
I quickly tell Mum that Jamie's okay, that he's at his dad's. She shakes her head in disbelief.
‘But how did he get there?’
‘He asked his dad and he arranged it,’ I shout, running upstairs for my passport.
I'm on my laptop searching for a flight but there aren't any. September is high season in Greece. There are no flights, so how on earth did his dad get him one? Helen can do it, she’s in the trade, but she told me to wait until tomorrow. I inhale deeply and go downstairs.
Mum and I make tea and toast, talk about schools, and then go to bed. But sleep evades me. I lay thinking about Jamie, I must find him another school, or move somewhere else, somewhere he likes, but not Athens.
Then I think of DCI Thomas, why did he want to see me? It must be something about Nick, maybe they know where he is? I fall into a restless sleep dreaming of Nick then wake up screaming his name. I sit up gasping for breath and see Mum staring at me.
‘Are you alright, Beth?’
I sit up and look around. Nick was here. I'm sure he was in this room looking at me.
27
Beth - Oxford
It's 8.00 in the morning, I wonder if Helen’s up? They're two hours ahead in Athens so she should be calling me soon.
After coffee and toast I drive to the police station. I’m informed by the officer at the desk that the DCI has just arrived and to wait in reception.
Fifteen minutes later he tells me to go in. I knock and peer round the door. ‘Sorry about yesterday, I was in London then when I arrived home Jamie...’
He waves his hand for me to come in. ‘I was out anyway, something came up, close the door and sit down.’
I sit on the seat opposite him. ‘Did you talk to PC Arnold yet?’
He's watching me over his glasses, which have slid down over his nose, he pushes them up. ‘Yes, I heard all about it from him this morning. Well, at least the boy's safe.’ As an afterthought he asks. ‘Would you like a coffee?’
‘No thanks, I just had one at home.’
He shuffles some papers on his desk, then stands up and starts pacing around the room.
‘I've something to tell you, Beth.’ He stops and looks at me. ‘There's been a sighting of Nick.’
My heart suddenly leaps into my mouth. I knew this would happen. I sit staring at him, waiting for him to say something.
He walks back to his desk, picks up a piece of paper and sits down to read it.
Why is he taking so long, he knows where he is, why draw it out? ‘So, where is he?’ I growl, impatiently.
He instantly looks up. ‘It's only a sighting we have to check it out.’
I sit clenching my hands together staring at him.
‘I'm waiting for more information.’ Then he frowns as if deciding whether to tell me or not. ‘He was seen at a petrol station in the Lake District, someone recognized him from a photo in one of the old daily newspapers.’
So, he is still here, I remember him saying something about his parents – he said they'd moved up north, maybe he's staying with
them?
He looks at me thoughtfully. ‘Don't worry. I just thought you should know.’
Well of course I should bloody well know.
I get up and start pacing around the room, he’s staring at me. Did I just think that or say it? I shrug and sit down. ‘I didn't think he'd still be here.’ I try to sound calm but inwardly I’m screaming. After what that bastard did to me of course I should know where he is.
‘He doesn't have much choice, does he, Beth?’ He looks at me closely, then carries on. ‘We have the train and bus stations covered and the airports and ports, I don't think he'll be going anywhere.’ He grunts and begins typing on his laptop then gets something out of his drawer, it's a tracking device.
He walks over to me. ‘This is just to be on the safe side, Beth, can you roll up your sleeve?’
This is just what Nick did, but with my phone. It doesn't seem so long ago, I often wonder why he did that, why should he care if they caught me again? I roll up my sleeve. ‘But you just said he's in the Lake District, why do I need this?’
‘It's just a precaution.’ He peers at me over his glasses. ‘You can still go to Athens with this on.’
‘I'm trying to find a job and a place to live, somewhere Jamie likes. As long as he's happy, that's all that matters, but definitely not Athens.’
He frowns and gives me a serious look. ‘It might be a good idea to spend a bit of time in Greece, till this is over.’
‘And what if Nick follows me there?’
He sits with a thoughtful look on his face. ‘Don't worry, we'll get him, it's just a matter of time.’
We sit in silence for a few minutes, each with our own thoughts, then I get up to leave.
He looks up at me, a look of concern on his face. ‘Think about what I said, okay?’
I nod and leave him rummaging through his desk.
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