A uniformed officer arrived at midnight. He took down details of what had happened and left.
They were all sat up, checking their phones, when Adam suddenly looked up. ‘Remember the day Layla missed her music exams? She went out with Conor then. Where did they go?’
Beth tried to unmuddle her brain. ‘It was Shepherd’s Chine. Yes, I remember.’
‘Could they be there?’
Beth paused. ‘It’s possible, not an easy place to get to in the dark, but we have to try. Adam, can you stay here in case she comes home or phones?’
Sami drove them to the tiny car park hidden off the military road. It was pitch black, but they both had torches.
‘Look,’ said Sami, shining his torch over to the corner. It was Conor’s motorbike. Sami sent Patrick a text.
They walked, one after the other, through the bushes and then slowly made the awkward climb down the broken steps. Just along the beach they saw a small bonfire and next to it were Conor and Layla. A wave of relief flooded Beth.
‘Hi, Mum,’ said Layla, waving.
The panic and relief melted away, and annoyance set in. ‘What do you mean “Hi”?’ shouted Beth. ‘We’ve been worried sick.’
‘Didn’t you see the note?’
‘What note?’
‘I put it on your dressing table.’
‘No. I didn’t see it. We wouldn’t have a clue if you hadn’t sent a text to Adam – and Conor, Patrick has been frantic. Why did neither of you answer your phones?’
‘I sent Adam a text, and then switched my phone off. It’s nice to listen to the waves.’ Layla saw Beth’s face. ‘Don’t be mad. Conor’s had a rotten time.’
‘But he’s worried everyone to death. What’s going on, Conor?’
‘I had to get away. The funeral and everything was the pits. I didn’t know what to do.’
‘We all need to get home. We can talk tomorrow. Come on,’ said Sami.
Beth had questions for Conor but, at half past one in the morning, with work the next day, it didn’t seem the time to ask them. Sami was right: it was time to go home.
They drenched the fire, and all made their way back to the car as Patrick was pulling into the parking area.
‘Thank God,’ he said to Conor.
‘You were worried?’
‘Of course.’
‘I didn’t think you would be.’
‘Well, I was. I told the police. Shall we go back now? We can talk or just go to bed. Thank you so much, Sami.’
‘It’s OK. Let’s all get home.’
They drove home in silence, all exhausted. At home Sami updated the police.
‘Are you hungry?’ Beth asked Layla.
‘I’ll take some cake up to bed.’
Beth found a scruffy note on her dressing table. ‘Gone with Conor. Don’t worry.’ It wouldn’t have been reassuring.
Beth left Layla to sleep in the next morning, while she and Sami got themselves into work.
When she returned, she found Layla still in bed.
‘What was all that about?’
Layla looked over the top of her duvet cover. ‘He rang, said he was lonely. I told him to pick me up. Don’t go mad about the bike. He sounded so down. He asked me not to tell anyone where he was. He had wanted to be alone and, anyway, he didn’t think anyone cared about him.’
‘Well they do, and we care a lot about you.’
‘To be honest, it seemed exciting at first, but I was starting to think I’d ring you. I was glad when you came. Conor was so moody, and it was cold.’
‘Were you frightened? Did he hurt you, do anything?’
‘God, no. He just sat there. It was boring.’ Layla gave her a smile. ‘The only person I was frightened of was you: I knew you’d go apeshit.’
‘Did Conor tell you anything about why he had run away?’
‘No. He didn’t talk much. Mum, I’m worried about my new trainers. They got muddy. I hope it comes off.’
‘Honestly, Layla. You need to apologise for all this. Dad’s having to work a whole day on a few hours’ sleep; you wasted police time.’
‘You called the police?’
‘I was worried when I knew you were with Conor. Whatever you think of him, I have seen how he is when he’s angry and the way he attacked his dad. I know he can be violent.’
‘I was never worried.’
‘Well, I was. Don’t ever do that to me again.’