Seats were plentiful beyond Victoria. It was only when Laurie sat down that she realised how tired she was. For the first time in her life ‘take the weight off your feet’ seemed more than just an expression. As the ache in her legs eased, she examined the map on the opposite side of the carriage. Yes, as she thought, the Victoria and Northern lines crossed again at Stockwell. She could get off there, continue on to Morden, go and find Fitzwilliam Road; it shouldn’t be that hard to track down Dad – assuming he was still there – to tell him everything that had happened this morning, let him decide what to do next.
Two weeks ago that was what Laurie would have done. Even now, she found the thought ridiculously tempting. Dad would listen, be sympathetic, continue putting his own life on hold while he sorted out hers. When the train came into Stockwell, however, something more than weariness kept her in her seat.
Laurie was thinking. She carried on thinking when the train arrived in Brixton, ignored the flashing carriage lights that indicated it had reached the end of the line, remained in her seat as those around her started to fill again. By the time the train was heading back north, she knew what she needed to do. She would sort things out herself, do the right thing, or something that approximated to it. Dad – Dad and Jess, to be more accurate – could be left undisturbed.
Laurie had thought she’d remember the route from Watford station, but last time she’d been following Dad and hadn’t really been paying attention. She got out her phone to check the route. Somehow she’d missed two calls, one from Jess, another from a private number. The voicemail icon was flashing. Laurie held the phone to her ear as she walked.
Both messages were short and to the point. She recognised Jess’s voice immediately. ‘Hello you, we’re back. No joy, I’m afraid. Where are you?’ That was to be expected, but comforting nonetheless.
The second was a shock, a reminder of a life that seemed to have vanished in the space of only a few days. ‘Hi Laurie. This is Linda. Can you call into the office please? Henry is trying to get hold of you.’ Oh God, Henry. What could he want? Did she even care? What would she do if he asked her to come back? Laurie was surprised to realise that she wasn’t sure. Her only certainty was that she didn’t need to call back right now. She could give herself some thinking time first.
Jess, on the other hand, deserved an immediate reply. Laurie stopped walking as she keyed in the text: All fine. Will call soon. Don’t do anything until we’ve spoken. That should hold things for a while. A conversation was the last thing Laurie wanted at the moment.
Laurie carried on walking into Chestnut Avenue. There was the house. A police car stood outside. Good, that would make things easier. She stepped across the road to ring the bell.