2nd December 2019
Morning
Waking up, I stretched and waited for the inevitable throb to begin behind my eyes, then, remembering I only let myself have two drinks, the throb didn’t come. I wasn’t hung over. Going into the bathroom I splashed cold water on my face. The shock invigorated my skin, and snapped me into focus. Downstairs I saw Dad wasn’t in the chair. Fearing he was outside again, in the freezing cold, I hurried to the kitchen. The door was locked, and on the side was a note:
Didn’t want to wake you, nipped to doctor’s for that memory test thingy. I’ll get those bloods done too. I promise. Won’t be long.
Dad.
Fuck. Running back upstairs I threw on some clothes and started quickly towards the surgery. I passed Chloe’s old house, my eye drawn up to her bedroom window, and I jumped when staring back, a cigarette in her hand, was Brenda. She didn’t say anything, didn’t move, but stared at me. It was like she knew. She took a drag on her cigarette, the embers glowing brighter, throwing shadows over her bony face. I could swear for a moment that there was someone behind her, also watching. She exhaled, stepped back from the window, and there was no one else there. I thought for a second she might be coming to her front door, so jogged away, towards the village, only slowing when I was sure Brenda wasn’t pursuing.
Just before I got to the main road, I could see three police cars. It looked like they were outside Holly’s house. I tried not to panic as I headed towards her front door. Before I could turn onto her garden path, the arms of Hastings reached out and stopped me.
‘Where is Holly? Is she OK?’
‘Ms Chambers, please…’ Hastings replied, his grip tightening on my arm.
‘Just tell me, is she all right?’ I said, looking over his shoulder into Holly’s house. I could see something hanging on the coat rack inside her front door. A top. One that was covered in blood. And beside it was the DCI talking to someone in forensic clothing. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Ms Chambers. Please.’
‘Neve—’ A voice came from behind me, and turning I saw it was Thompson. Hands in his pockets, his demeanour calm, in control. ‘PC Hastings, I’ll escort Ms Chambers away.’ Even though he was retired and had no authority, he still commanded respect, and Hastings let go.
‘What’s going on?’ I pleaded again.
‘Come with me,’ Thompson said quietly, as he took my arm and yanked me away. Knowing I would get nowhere with Hastings, I acquiesced.
‘She isn’t allowed to know anything,’ Hastings called as we walked away. Thompson didn’t reply but shot a glance that made Hastings turn towards the house and pretend to be busy instructing people.
It wasn’t until we turned the corner, far enough away to not be heard or seen did he stop walking.
‘Holly is missing.’
‘Shit. Shit,’ I said, my hands going up to my mouth, covering it so I didn’t say something I would regret. I felt dizzy and sat on the edge of a garden wall. Lowering my head between my legs, I took several deep breathes. Thompson sat beside me, rubbed my back until I felt calmer.
‘Sorry,’ I said.
‘Don’t be.’
‘When did it happen?’
‘I’m not sure yet. She rang in late last night, saying she had seen a man dressed in a dark coat outside her house.’
I knew as much but didn’t let it show. ‘What was that I saw on her coat rack? Was that her top?’
‘Again, unconfirmed. I believe it belongs to Dr McBride.’
‘Baz,’ I said quietly. He was taunting us again, showing us we could do nothing to stop him. ‘I’ve got to go, do you mind?’
‘To Michael.’
‘Yes,’ I said, shocked at how well he could read the situation.
‘I’ll update you if I come across anything.’
‘Thank you, Robert.’
‘Hey,’ came a voice, booming in our direction. Turning, I saw Hastings bound towards us. ‘Hey, what are you two discussing?’
‘Go, Neve. I’ll deal with him.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, go.’
I stood and walked away quickly. Hastings shouted for me to stop, but I didn’t. Looking over my shoulder, Thompson held out his hands to slow Hastings’ march and they began to talk. I couldn’t hear much of what was being said, apart from two words ‘the Drifter’. Hastings would have no choice but to investigate it properly because Holly kept her word and reported she had seen him. And now she was missing.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I rang Michael who picked up on the first ring.
‘Neve?’
‘She’s gone. Holly has been taken.’
‘Fuck. I saw on Facebook there were police on her road.’
‘And it looks like Baz’s top has been left inside her house.’
‘Inside her house?’
‘Yes.’
‘He’s playing games with us.’
‘Yes,’ I repeated, fear trying to strangle my words.
‘Where are you?’
‘I’m in the village.’
‘Go to the pub, I’m coming to get you.’
‘I can’t, I’ve got to go and get Dad from the doctor.’
‘Neve, your dad will be fine. He’s not being targeted, we are. Go to the pub. I’ll be there in ten minutes.’
I didn’t respond.
‘Neve!’
‘Yes, OK, yes, I’ll go to the pub.
Hanging up, I turned around and began walking back towards Holly’s. The most direct way to the pub was past her house, but I wouldn’t tempt Hastings to do or say something to me. So, I turned onto the road that ran behind her house and made my way towards The Miners’ Arms. When I arrived, I waited in the car park, smoking a cigarette to keep myself calm. Behind me, the pub doors were open, revealing people inside. Their voices overlapped so I was unable to pick out a single conversation thread. I didn’t need to. I knew what they were talking about. Holly. More gossip, more drama.
And hearing their voices, I remembered why I ran away all those years ago.