After a quick cup of coffee, I ask Mum if I can borrow the car. ‘I want to get Jamie a present, maybe a new pair of trainers, as a surprise.’ I'm not really going shopping, but if I tell her the truth, she'll worry.
She gives me a worried look, starts to say something then stops.
‘You don’t have to worry, Mum, I’ll be home for lunch.’ I glance at the clock on the kitchen wall, it’s nearly twelve, that gives me just over an hour – if I hurry, I can do it.
24
MAJOR OLIVER’S FARM
Mid-day
Blue and white police tape surround the Major's farm, the police are everywhere. I park a little further back along the road, I don't want to be seen.
‘Shit!’ It’s DCI Thomas, he’s spotted me.
He ambles over to the car and eyes me suspiciously.
‘I thought you were going home?’
‘I did, I went home, had a coffee then I thought a drive would do me good.’
He exhales loudly. I know he doesn't believe me. He peers into the car.
‘So, why come back here?’
I get out of the car and stand looking around.
‘Speak up. Tell me why you’re here.’
He isn't a fool. He has a good idea why I'm here, so I tell him.
‘It's just a feeling I have, I could be wrong.’
He taps his foot impatiently, lights a cigarette, inhales deeply and looks at me.
‘Okay, Nick saved me from the Major but then...’
I can't bring myself to say it, so I stop, take a deep breath and start again.
‘I've been thinking, maybe Nick was already at the Major's house. Do you remember when I told you Nick was supposed to collect us from the pub in Oxford, but he never arrived?’
He nods impatiently.
‘Nick dropped me off at the pub around 11.00 am in his car. I didn’t have a car so when he didn’t come, I took Jane home in a cab.’
‘And?’
‘Well, after dropping Jane off at home, I kept trying to call Nick to find out why he hadn’t collected us, but each time I called it went to voicemail. This went on for hours…’
All the time I've been talking, he's been watching me closely.
‘So, you think she could be here?’ he asks, looking over at the house, a questioning look on his face.
I shrug my shoulders.
‘Well, say something,’ he snaps.
‘Have you searched all the rooms?’
He frowns and starts rubbing his chin. ‘Yes, we searched the house. We found video footage and other items, but nothing else.’
I have a feeling of dread as I look over at the old Cotswold farmhouse.
‘If he brought Jane here,’ he says, surveying the house. ‘Where do you think he would take her?’
‘I'm not sure, but there are lots of rooms, it's a huge house, she could be anywhere, in the cellar, in the attic.’ My voice trails off as I start remembering things I want to forget.
He strides over to the house. ‘Search all the rooms, cupboards, the attic, garage, cellar. We're looking for a young woman with red hair. Be as quick as you can and shout if you find anything.’
He comes back, lights another cigarette and eyes me thoughtfully.
It’s at times like this I feel the need for a cigarette. I watch him take another deep drag.
I usually carry a pack or have one in the side of the car for emergencies. Opening the car door I search in the glove compartment.
Where are the damn things!
A packet of Marlboro is thrust through the window. ‘Here, have one of these.’
I take one and murmur thanks, he nods and strolls back to the house.
I watch him for a few minutes then light up, I haven't had one for a long time… it makes me feel lightheaded, I open the car door and stub it out. I have an eerie sense of dread, I know that feeling of desperation, hoping someone will come and save you. I think of Jane and shiver - she must be so frightened.
The minutes tick by, and I think of Mum, she’s going to be worried if I don't text her or go home soon.
DCI Thomas suddenly appears at the front door, behind him is a man carrying something wrapped in a blanket.
I run over to the house, as I get closer, I can see a bit of red hair poking out of the blanket.
‘Don't worry,’ he mutters. ‘She's okay, I'm taking her to the hospital, you go home your Mum will be worried sick.’
Jane's out cold, she must have been given a strong dose of chloroform.
I run back to my car, give Mum a call saying I'm okay and will be home soon, then follow them to the hospital in Oxford.
After what seems ages, DCI Thomas comes out of the room and walks over to where I'm sitting.
‘Is she hurt?’ I blurt out as soon as he sits down.
He's watching me closely. ‘I'll be in touch, now you go home and get some rest.’
I'm just getting into my car when I see him running towards me.
‘Beth, did Nick ever talk to you about Cyprus?’ he asks, stopping to draw breath.
I stand looking at him trying to think. ‘Not really, he just said the Major was in the army there. Why do you ask?’
He scratches his head. ‘I'm not sure.’ He ruffles his hair and sighs, he looks tired. ‘I've still got a lot of work to do. We've confiscated all the video footage, so we'll soon be able to identify the people involved.’ A slight smile appears on his face. ‘A lot of wealthy and influential heads are going to roll soon, Beth.’ He gives me a nod, walks over to his car then turns around. ‘Oh, by the way, they found your phone, it's at the police station.’
‘Thanks! I'll pick it up tomorrow.’
I suppose I should feel better, but I'm worried about Jamie, he's missed a lot of school and must never know about this.
Back to School
Next morning, we walk along in silence to Jamie’s school. He drags his feet, something he never does. I talk about what we'll do at the weekend, he just ignores me.
‘I'm meeting Helen in London tomorrow, she's popping over for a few days on a business trip, shall I bring anything back for you?’
He doesn't answer.
I've arranged to see a couple of apartments while I’m in London and I also have an interview lined up, but I haven’t told Jamie. I don’t want to get his hopes up. I called Jamie's head teacher and explained what happened, but she already knew, it's all over the local news.
We're at the school gates, he keeps looking at the ground, I feel dreadful. He slowly walks into the school. No wave, no smile. I walk home feeling terrible. Even his first day at nursery school in Athens was better than this.
25
BETH & HELEN
Kensington Gardens
London
The park is a blanket of leaves. Spiky green conkers and autumnal sunshine make it hard to resist crunching in the leaves, it’s something I’ve always done and always will no matter how old I get.
A large green conker pokes out from under the leaves, I grab it and prize it open. Inside is a shiny brown conker resting in a bed of white velvet. I roll it around in my hand, then tuck it in my pocket for Jamie, he loves conkers.
Sighing contentedly, I inhale the scent of the park, it brings back many happy memories of my childhood, happy days. The long days of summer are drawing to a close, I can smell autumn in the air.
‘You look as if you're doing an ad for Autumn watch in London,’ Helen says, running over and laughing. ‘It's just like old times, isn't it? I think you were happy when you lived here, weren't you?’
‘Yes, but that was a long time ago, I was much younger. I used to love the old swings. This new playground is far grander, but I still prefer the old one.’
‘Yes, because it holds happy memories for you.’ She loops arms with me, and we walk to the open-air café beside the children's playground. ‘It's part of growing up, we always yearn for the years when we were young, but we should really be focusing on the present.’
‘Very profound Helen, anymore where that came from?’
She laughs. ‘Yes, now grab a seat and I'll get the drinks - hot chocolate or coffee?’
‘Coffee.’
It's not too busy, just a couple of tourists sitting eating a take-away meal and a mum with a pram reading a book.
‘So, what do you think of the apartments we saw?’ Helen asks, placing a tray of hot drinks and chocolate muffins on the wooden table.
‘I'm not sure, they're all so expensive.’ I break off a piece of muffin full of chocolate buttons and pop it in my mouth. ‘I have an interview lined up for this week, let’s hope it’s better than the last one I went to.’
She frowns. ‘Don't worry about money, I can help.’
‘Thanks for the offer but we'll be okay, I just need a job.’
‘You still have your apartment in Athens, why not sell it?’ She stops talking and looks at me. ‘Are you still refusing to take money from Alex?’
‘He still lives there, and I don't want to sell it, it's my stake in Athens, you never know, we might need it one day.’
‘Well, the money's always there if you need it.’ She sits sipping her hot chocolate while flicking through her phone. ‘You know if positions were reversed and it was me, I'd take it.’
I shrug, she smiles.
‘If it hadn't been for James helping me out with some of his inheritance, I'd probably have nothing, so if you need it, take it, Beth – it's only money.’
I laugh and hug her. ‘You never know, I might take you up on that. Now enough about me. How is Theo?’
At first, she doesn't say anything, just sits sipping her drink. Then her face changes, she looks serious. ‘Things haven't been good for some time; he's changed so much.’
‘You should have said something. I didn't know.’
‘It'll probably pass, at least I have my job and James to talk to. I don't know what I'd do if he wasn't there.’ She smiles then changes the subject. ‘So, which apartment did you like best? What about the one with the garden, with the little water feature? It was nice but a bit dark inside, don't you think?’
‘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. 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 Tube 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 but I haven’t answered. 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.
26
BETH
Back to Oxford
Early evening
We have time for a quick drink then I walk with Helen to Bayswater Tube 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 which is packed with people, it's the rush hour in London, so not the best time to travel.
Now to check if my train’s running on time. I search the overhead board - there it is platform 3 leaving at 6.05 pm, only five minutes to go.
I make my way to the platform, all the carriages are full, quite the opposite from 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 of the train as it leaves the station.
If I hadn't been in such a rush to catch the train that day, if I'd waited and caught the next train - then I stop - it did happen, so deal with it.
I force myself to stop thinking and press my face up against the window and peer at the passing warehouses and backs of old Victorian houses, at some time must have been beautiful but now just look drab. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of the lives of those who live there, but they can also see us, something we tend to forget. 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 tr
ain pulls into Oxford, 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’d taken him to school.’
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?’
The Beth Papadakis Thriller Box Set Page 11