by Lane, Jenny
‘Nah love. Nobody in there of that description. Lost ‘im ‘ave you?’
‘I must have missed him. Sorry to bother you.’ She thought maybe he’d misunderstood her and gone back to the car. Could she find it? Maybe some of the cars would have gone by now and she might be able to spot their car. Joe’s car. She went along to where she thought they had left the car but there was no sign of it. Perhaps she’d got the wrong place. Beginning to panic, she ran between the remaining cars, all the time looking for him. She stopped. Stupid woman, she thought and took out her mobile. She rang his number.
‘Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you.’
‘Joe? I don’t know where you are. I’m in the car park but I can’t find you. I’m ... well in the middle. Call me back when you get this message.’
Rachel wandered along the rows, looking all the time. She saw a silver car that was similar and ran towards it. It was a different make. ‘Come on Joe. Ring me.’ She dialled his number again but it was still on voice mail. ‘Joe? Where are you?’
Cars were leaving all the time. She was hooted at once or twice while she was wandering along the roadway. She was beginning to panic and told herself to stop. It was just some mistake in the vast car park. Perhaps she was in entirely the wrong place. She went back towards the stand and the toilet where she’d last seen him. She tried to retrace their journey from the car park towards the stand. She was certain she had the right place. Maybe he’d gone back into the stadium? She went to the entrance and looked towards their place. No-one was there any more.
‘Can I help you Miss?’ asked one of the officials.
‘I’ve lost my boyfriend. He went to the toilet and so did I. I can’t seem to find him again.’
‘P’raps he went back to his car?’
‘I’ve looked at where I thought we were parked but he’s not there.’
‘We can make an announcement on the tannoy if you’re really sure you’ve lost him.’
‘Could you? Yes please. I know it sounds silly but I’m getting desperate.’
‘Come along with me. We’ll go to the media centre.’
‘I’m really sorry. He’ll go mad with me for being so stupid but I really need to know where he is.’
She followed the official, almost running to keep up with him. He opened a door into a building and she followed him.
‘Can you make an announcement please? This young lady’s lost her boyfriend.’
‘Name?’ asked the man behind the complex looking desk.
‘Rachel. Rachel Sumner.’
‘I meant the friend’s name.’
‘Oh, sorry. He’s Joe Bentley.’
‘Okay. Hang on.’ He switched on the microphone in front of him. ‘Would Joe Bentley please contact the media centre as soon as possible. Joe Bentley to the media centre. Rachel Sumner is waiting for you.’ He switched off the microphone and turned to her. ‘That’s the best we can do. If you wait outside, I expect he’ll be along soon.’
‘Thanks very much. I’ll wait ... outside.’ She left them and went to stand outside the door. She looked at her watch. It was already almost five-thirty. This was ridiculous. If he’d left without her, how on earth could she get home? Why would he do such a thing anyway? At six o’clock, she knocked on the door of the media centre and went inside.
‘I’m sorry but he hasn’t turned up. I’m going for another look round the car park. It must be nearly empty by now so I should see him if he’s there.’ She was extremely angry by now. If he’d gone and left her in this strange place, he had some serious explaining to do. She went into the now nearly deserted car park. His car was nowhere to be seen. Okay, now she needed to make proper arrangements to get home. Once again, she went back to the media centre and knocked on the door.
‘He seems to have left without me. I’ll have to see about getting home on my own. Are there any buses or anything?’
‘They’ll have left ages ago. P’raps you better get a taxi? I’ve got some numbers here.’
‘I doubt I’ve got enough cash to pay for a taxi. I’ll have to call my parents and see if they can come to meet me somewhere.’
‘Okay love. Best of luck. We’re closing now till tomorrow.’
Rachel went outside again and phoned her Mum.
‘I’m sorry but that bastard’s driven away and left me here. Is there any chance one of you could come and fetch me?’
‘How on earth has he done that?’ her Mum asked.
‘I’ve no idea. He’d better have a very good reason. Anyway, can you come?’
‘I’ll ask you Dad. It’s quite a journey isn’t it?’
‘I’m afraid so. You can use my car. There’s plenty of petrol in it.’
‘Okay. Hang on a mo.’
‘He isn’t happy but he says he’ll come. Where will you be?’
‘I’ll wait outside the stadium area. If he follows the signs, the traffic shouldn’t be too bad by now. It’ll take an hour and a half, I expect.’
‘I think we’ll both come. See you later.’
‘Bye Mum. And thanks.’ She switched off her phone and then tried Joe again. Still his voice-mail. It really was bizarre. He must be home by now, she thought and dialled his parents’ home number.
‘Hallo?’
‘Hi. It’s Rachel. Is Joe there?’
‘What? No, I thought he was out with you.’
‘He was. We got separated and I wondered if he’d got home yet.’
‘No love. We haven’t seen him since he left first thing this morning. Are you all right?’
‘I’ve been better. My parents are coming to collect me. Tell him to ring me when he gets home will you? Thanks.’ He’d had plenty of time to get home. She shivered. It was beginning to get cold. Her anorak was in Joe’s car. She walked towards the entrance to the stadium and tried to warm up. She stamped her feet and hugged herself. What had started as a suitable outfit was rapidly deteriorating. A car came out from the car park and stopped.
‘You all right love? Want a lift somewhere?’
‘I’m fine thanks. Just waiting for someone.’
‘Please yourself.’ He drove away.
Why ever did she think Joe was going to be The One? He was a bastard. Fancy driving away and leaving her here. What was he thinking? How could he do it to her? Angrily, she stamped along the road, trying to keep warm and willing her parents to get here before she froze to death. At long last, she saw them approaching and waved. She opened the door as the car stopped.
‘Thanks so much for this. I’m just about frozen to death. Shall I drive?’
‘If you like. I don’t mind.’ Her father seemed less grumpy than she was expecting. ‘I’ll drive for a bit. We thought we might stop for something to eat if you’d like to.’
‘That would be great. Thanks. We did have a burger but that was for lunch, hours ago.’
‘So are you going to tell us what happened?’ her mother asked.
‘I wish I knew. We both went to the loo and when I came out he’d disappeared. Gone.’
‘But had you had a row or something?’
‘Nothing. As far as I know, we were fine. We talked about the race and watching it tomorrow on television. I really can’t believe it. I’ve been looking round everywhere for him but no luck. The car’s gone too.’
They drove back towards home, each one speculating on why Joe had disappeared. Her father was quite angry and suggested she kick him into touch. Once she was safely on her way home, Rachel felt much more tolerant.
‘There must be a good reason for his behaviour,’ she told her parents. ‘This is so unlike him. And he hasn’t contacted his family yet.’
‘Will they let you know? If he comes back, I mean.’
‘I expect so. I’m starving. Can we look for somewhere to stop?’ Rachel suggested.
Soon, they saw a pub offering food. Her father stopped the car and they went inside. It was warm and friendly. He bought drinks for them and came over to their table with s
ome menus.
‘Everything and chips, it seems. I’ll have fish and chips, I think,’ said Jemima.
‘Me too, Rachel added.
‘Might as well go for the same, then we shouldn’t have to wait too long.’ Her father went to the bar and seemed to be arguing with the barman. At last he came back to the table. ‘Evidently they usually stop cooking at nine and didn’t want to take our order. The barman went to check with the kitchen and they’ll do it as a special favour. Bastards. At least it’s something easy for them.’
‘I suppose it is well after nine. God what a mess. I’m really sorry.’ Rachel suddenly felt teary and very tired. ‘What on earth has happened to Joe?’
Her parents were concerned about him and what had happened but didn’t really believe it was anything more than some sort of tiff between the two of them. Her father was angry but unusually, said nothing against the man that had left his daughter. He’d certainly have something to say to him when he saw him again. Jemima said nothing either and was worried that Rachel was so concerned.
It was getting close to midnight before they were home. Rachel decided she’d better not phone his home but would wait till morning. She fell into bed, thinking she would fall asleep instantly but she didn’t. She lay awake, wondering. At last, she decided to phone Joe on his mobile. It was still his voice mail that answered. At least he still had his mobile and it still seemed to be working.
‘I’m home now and safe. Please call to let me know where you are.’
She switched off her phone and turned over, trying again to sleep.
Chapter Three
Sunday morning. Rachel awoke to hear the phone ringing downstairs. She ran down to hear her mother answering it.
‘No. He’s not here. Rachel’s just come down. I’ll hand you over to her. It’s Joe’s Mum.’
‘Hi, any sign of him?’
‘No. He never came back last night. I was ringing to see if he’s stayed over at yours.’
‘The last I saw of him was when he went into the gents at the race track. He seems to have disappeared off the planet since then. Something must be wrong. I never thought he’d just leave me without some good reason. Do ... do you think I should call the police?’ she suggested hesitantly.
‘I don’t know. Maybe he met some friends or something? I don’t want to cause a bother.’
‘I know what you mean. Let’s wait till lunchtime and see if anyone hears anything. I’ll call if he rings me.’
‘What a mess. Okay. Let’s wait till lunch time. Bye now.’
‘Bye.’ She hung up. ‘We’re going to wait till lunchtime and then call the police,’ she told her mother.
‘I’ll go and put some coffee on. What do you want for breakfast?’
‘Just some toast. I don’t really feel like eating.’
It seemed a long morning, waiting for the phone to ring. Rachel put on her laptop to see if there were any messages, not that she thought there would be. She looked at the news but there was nothing. She went on the race track’s website, hoping there might be some message on there but it was full of news for the impending race. Her mother was busying herself with cooking Sunday lunch and was listening to the radio. At noon, the phone rang. She dashed to pick it up. It was Joe’s mother again.
‘We haven’t heard anything. I’m going to phone the police. I wanted to tell you as they’ll no doubt be in touch with you.’
‘Fine. I’ll phone them if you like?’
‘No. It’s all right. I’ll do it. Bye now.’ She hung up and Rachel sat waiting, for what, she had no idea. She was eating, or rather picking at lunch, when the phone rang.’
‘That’ll be the police I expect. I’ll answer it.’ Her parents looked at each other and continued to eat. ‘Hallo?’
The police questioned her again about the events leading up to her being left behind. They asked about his state of mind and whether they were happy together.
‘Of course we were,’ she replied angrily. ‘I thought he was about to ask me to marry him for heaven’s sake.’
‘Do you think he was feeling trapped?’
‘Trapped? How do you mean?’
‘I wondered if he felt he was getting into something he didn’t want?’ the officer suggested.
‘Of course not. He doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to. I take it you haven’t heard anything?’
‘We’re investigating. Thank you for your time. We’ll be in touch again soon.’
‘That was certainly worthwhile,’ she said sarcastically. ‘They think he’s taking a break from me. That’s about it really. Asked me stupid stuff about him feeling trapped. Ridiculous.’
‘I’ve put your lunch in the oven.’
‘I’m sorry. I can’t eat any more. You carry on with yours. I’m going out. I have to do something.’ She went out to her car and set off to drive towards the stadium. She then decided it was a ridiculous idea and turned round. She went to his house and knocked at the door.
‘I’m sorry to bother you but I’m getting desperate.’
‘Come in love. The police have just left. I think they may be on their way to see you.’
‘Really? I’d better go home again. Did they have any hopes of finding him?’
‘Not really. Suggested he may be taking a break and that was the best they could come up with.’ Joe’s mother was looking very worried and his brothers were unusually quiet.
‘I’d better go back home,’ she said, ‘or I’ll miss them.’ When she arrived back at her own home, there was no sign of anyone being there. ‘Have the police been here yet?’ she asked anxiously.
‘I’m afraid not. Can I get you something to eat?’ her mother asked her.
‘No thanks. Please don’t fuss Mum. They’re supposed to be coming here any moment. I went to Joe’s home but they know nothing.’
At last the police arrived. A man and woman, both in uniform. They came inside and began to question her about the last time she had seen Joe. She tried to be exact in all the details. Had she seen anyone hanging round the gents? Were there any people around who knew Joe? What was his car like? Where was it parked? All the usual stuff.
‘Okay, Miss Sumner. We’ll keep you posted if we find anything.’
‘Thanks officers. Please do. Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘Not really. We’ll put out a call for anyone seeing his car initially. It usually works. Once we find his car, he probably won’t be very far from it.’
‘I hope you’re right. Okay. I’ll stay here and await your call.’
It was a long dreary afternoon and evening. Rachel was scratchy with her parents and unwilling to think about work the next day. At ten-thirty, she decided to go to bed. There was nothing else she could do. She tried his mobile for the umpteenth time, wanting to hear his voice once more, and this time there was no reply. The battery must have run out. She sighed and settled down to try and sleep.
Her mind was racing round in circles. She varied from being angry at being left to worrying about where he’d gone. He would never have just left her at the race track, she reasoned. But who on earth could have made him go with them? He’d never have done it if he hadn’t wanted to. Or would he? The saga went on, round and round. Once she knew she wasn’t going to sleep, she got up and went downstairs. She made some tea and sat drinking it, her laptop beside her. The warmth of the mug was transmitted to her icy cold hands as she hugged it close.
‘Joe, where are you?’ she murmured. She knew she couldn’t face going to work the next day ... today. She wanted to stay here in case he was found. The police would have to get in touch again. If they didn’t contact her, she would have to chase them. Nor was she taking any of their stupid comments about him needing a break from her. If he wanted a break, he’d have said so. But he’d been lovely all day, excited by the race and atmosphere. She wondered who’d won in the end? She looked it up on her laptop. Joe would be pleased ... one of his favourites had pulled it off, despite the odds. She s
miled, thinking of his happy face. She closed her eyes and finally fell into a deep sleep. She was awoken by her mother’s worried call.
‘Rachel? Where are you?’
She jumped and looked round, trying to work out where she was.
‘Down here Mum. I couldn’t sleep so I got up. I must have fallen asleep down here.’
‘Oh my gosh, you gave me such a shock.’
‘Sorry. Still no news. I’m not going into work today. I really can’t face it.’
‘You must ring and tell them then. I’ll go and start on breakfast. And no arguments, you are going to eat today, young lady.’
‘Okay Mum. I’m going up for a shower now. It might make me feel slightly more human again.’
Once she had showered and dressed in clean clothes, Rachel felt better. She went down to the kitchen where her mother had cooked scrambled eggs.
‘You’re going to eat this,’ she said, in a voice that brooked no argument. Rachel sat down and dutifully ate the eggs.
‘Thanks Mum. They were good. Do you think it’s too early to call the police?’
‘I think it may be. You could call your work though. Let them know what’s going on.’
At nine o’clock, she dialled the police station. They had no news for her.
‘What can I do? There must be something I can do to help.’
‘I don’t think so ma’m. You could make a list of all his friends. Anyone he might have gone to stay with. Places he liked and may have gone to. Spend some time on thinking. Meanwhile, we’ll continue our search.’
‘Have you tried the hospitals?’
‘Well, we get a list of unexplained admissions. He wasn’t on yesterday’s list. Okay? I’ll be in touch later.’
‘Thanks officer.’ She hung up the phone. ‘Nothing new. He asked me to make a list of his friends. I suppose I’d better do that next.’