I knew it. I knew she’d be here. At a time when things were looking so dismal, this was indeed the place she would go. A burst of pride swelled within me.
I stepped closer, afraid to startle her. Empty packets of crisps surrounded her sleeping bag, along with two family sized bottles of energy drinks. She probably hadn’t eaten a proper meal for nearly forty-eight hours. Thank God I’d found her — now I needed to get her home. I needed to know that Carly, at least, was safe. I crouched down and reached a hand out to her shoulder.
“Carly?”
“What the?!” She shot up, as if suddenly pulled from a nightmare.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s me, Suzanne.”
Her eyes were wild, her hair all over the place from sleeping in the forest for two days. “Oh, my God, what the fuck? You scared the life out of me.”
“Sorry, I’m sorry,” I held my hands up, palms open. “I’m here to help.”
She shuffled up onto her feet, still clutching the sleeping bag around her. “How did you find me? You haven’t brought the police, have you?” Her eyes started darting around.
“No, of course not,” I shook my head and spoke softly, trying to soothe her. “I went to Rhys’ place, and when I couldn’t find you there, I guessed you might be here.” I nodded my head towards the rosebush. “With Timmy.”
Carly’s eyes twinkled with tears as she glanced toward the rosebush. Timmy’s favourite place in the world had been Thetford Forest. The sun-dappled trails. The towering pines. The temporary respite from his misery. So, after his death I’d suggested that Carly mix his ashes with a rosebush and plant it there, so that he would always be part of the forest he had loved. A few weeks later, after I’d pulled myself out of my trauma coma, I had hiked out to pay my respects. I still remembered it clear as day, how I’d lain down on the ground next to his newly planted rose bush and wept. I’d told him how sorry I was and vowed to make sure his little sister, whom he adored, stayed safe.
“I miss him,” Carly choked through her tears.
“I know.” I held out my arms to offer her a hug as the relief settled into me. She was safe. Finally, I’d done something good.
“Don’t move.”
I whirled around, startled at the deep voice behind me. DS Clarke. “DS Clarke? What?” I stuttered. “How did you … What are you doing here?!” I spun to check that Carly was still there, terrified that she would think I’d betrayed her. Carly’s eyes darted from Clarke back to me. “I didn’t know he was here,” I blurted. “I swear.”
“Who are you? Has she hurt you?” DS Clarke asked Carly, ignoring my questions.
“What? No. I’m Carly, who the hell are you?” Carly’s eyes trailed over Clarke’s shoulder, to where DC Reynolds was creeping forward. “Oh, Jesus, how many of you are there?”
DC Reynolds held her hands up as I had done just moments before. “Hello, Carly. I’m Detective Constable Rebecca Reynolds, and this is Detective Sergeant Anthony Clarke. We’re here to make sure you’re safe.”
“I’m making sure she’s safe!” I snapped. “Why are you following me?”
Clarke moved towards me, his face hardened into a scowl. “Why are you hiding teenagers away in the woods? I thought it was Teigan, but obviously you’ve got more than one hidden teenager up your sleeve.”
“What?”
“What?” came Carly’s echo. “I came here myself. To be alone, but that’s gone to shit, hasn’t it?”
“Where’s Teigan?” Clarke stepped towards me, his eyes full of suspicion. “You know more than you’re letting on. And I’m not letting you take this girl anywhere.” He turned his gaze towards Carly. “Carly, our car is parked just a little way up there,” he gestured back towards where he’d come from. “We will get you back safely.”
DC Reynolds nodded encouragingly and gestured for Carly to follow her. “This way.”
“No, I want Suzanne to take me back to Anita.” She backed closer to me. “I trust her.”
My heart swelled and then deflated, knowing her trust wouldn’t last, not once the truth got out about my past.
Clarke groaned. He was starting to realise he had a headstrong teenager on his hands. “Well, can you explain how she knew where you were?”
“Because she knows me. This is where I scattered my brother’s ashes,” she pointed to the rosebush. “That’s for Timmy. I feel safe here with him. She must have guessed I’d come here after …” She trailed off.
“After what?” I prompted. “Did Rhys hurt you?”
“Sort of, but not physically … he shut the door in my face. He doesn’t want anything to do with me. That’s what hurts.” Her voice started to crack as the tears fell down her face. “He’s the only family I’ve got.”
A cold wind blew through the trees, the leaves rustling above us, punctuating Carly’s silent tears. I put my arms around her in a feeble attempt to offer comfort.
Clarke’s face softened as he watched. I took advantage of the change. “Please, let me get Carly home.”
“We’re not finished, Suzanne. But I can see she’s cold and distressed,” Clarke sighed, accepting defeat. “Fine, take her back. But we’ll be right behind you the whole way, and you’re coming to the station with us afterwards. And if you even think about speeding off, we’ll have our sirens on within seconds. Do you understand me?”
It was time for me to pick my battles. I nodded. That was all life seemed to be anymore, one battle after another.