He tried to refuse at first, but she insisted, and he gave her one final nod, adding, “Look after your friend,” before wheeling away.
Leo let them in and gestured for Paige to take a seat on a minimalist style settee in the living room as he went to make them some tea. The room was the opposite of Eckland’s cosy almost kitsch tastes; everything was sleek and simple, there were no gaudy ornaments or upholstered cushions. Where Eckland’s mantlepiece had held yellowed postcards and dusty clocks, Leo had a fake fireplace and a simple bonsai tree.
“Your home is beautiful,” Paige said as Leo handed her a mug of tea.
“Thank you,” he said, still understandably distracted in his mannerisms. He sat perpendicular to her in a sunny yellow armchair, kicking off his shoes and sighing.
“Perhaps, we could ring some relatives?” Paige suggested, not wanting to intrude too much into Leo’s thought process but knowing he would rest easier if he was actively looking for Arlene.
“Yes, you’re right. Let me try a friend of my mum’s first. Oh god...” A realisation dawned on him, “I suppose I’ll have to tell her my dad’s dead too...” He took a moment to compose himself, placing the tea on the coffee table and leaning forward, as if to brace himself. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialled, “Hello, Elaine, it’s Leo,” he stuttered. Paige remembered the name – Elaine Lemmy, the lady who Leo was worried had overheard them in Starbucks, “I’m afraid I have some bad news. My father has passed away...” pausing with a small sob as ‘father’ caught in his throat.
Paige grabbed his free hand and squeezed it gently, “Yes,” he said after the pause, in reply to Elaine, “Yes, he passed just an hour ago. Listen,” he said a little more firmly, and Paige suspected he was dodging the question of ‘how’ did his father die, “I need your help Elaine. My mum is missing,” he paused again and Elaine replied, “No one has seen her for about two hours,” Leo said, waiting again for Elaine to talk, “Okay, thank you. If you see her, please let me know.”
He gave a final pause before signing off and sunk back in the chair, tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes again, “She hasn’t seen my mum,” Leo said, disappointment clouding his words.
“Are there any relatives we could try? I’ll ring them if it is too much,” Paige said, feeling uncharacteristically calm in this situation. She remembered her own father’s death, although in different circumstances, and more recently Tom’s, and all of the heart-breaking phone calls she and her mum had made.
“Yes, please...” Leo said, standing up to find a phone book and returning with a number written down, “My mum’s sister, Caroline. She lives a few miles down the road. My mum doesn’t drive, but I suppose she could have gotten there in a pinch.”
Paige dialled the number on her phone and waited. The call rang out, and she shook her head at Leo, “I’ll try again,” she said, repeating the process. Still no answer. One more time, still nothing.
“Maybe we should wait, she might be out,” Paige said, encouraging Leo to drink his tea, “The sugar will help the shock,” she said, repeating something her mum had said to her so many times before.
About the author
Author Bio Lei R Tasker
Lei R. Tasker began writing on nights and weekends
while running multiple creative Businesses
internationally. She is a multi-award winner who
fascinated with Neil Gaiman's books. She enjoys long
walks with her dog Reggie. Love her Gins and reading.
Join Lei R. Tasker on Facebook, where she loves to
chat with her readers: facebook.com/Lei R. Tasker
THE SECRET OF THE OXPEN’S ANGEL
__________________________________
A TOTALLY GRIPPING PSYCOLOGICAL THRILLER
Book1
Angel’s Trap
ALSO BY Lei R. Tasker
Angel’s Lies
Angel’s Game
THE WORLD IS SO BIG
PUBLISHING
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Lei R. Tasker publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-BIUK-LGSFB
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Also by Lei R. Tasker
THE SECRET OF THE OXPEN'S ANGEL
Angel's Trap
Watch for more at Lei R. Tasker’s site.
About the Author
Author Bio Lei R Tasker
Lei R. Tasker began writing on nights and weekends while running multiple creative Businesses internationally. She is a multi-award winner who loves and fascinated with Neil Gaiman's books. She enjoys long walks with her dog Reggie. Love her Gins and reading.
Join Lei R. Tasker on Facebook, where she loves to chat with her readers: facebook.com/Lei R. Tasker
Read more at Lei R. Tasker’s site.
About the Publisher
Angel's Trap : Book 1 of The Secret of the Oxpen's Angel : Read One Of The Most Gripping Women's Crime Fiction Novels Here! Page 8