Then
The room was small. It seemed to be an office. There was a desk and some photographs. The central heating pipes knocked as water gurgled through them. Otherwise there was just a female police constable to keep Rachel company. She said her name was Karen.
Karen had been very nice so far, offering Rachel drinks and food. But Rachel wasn’t hungry or thirsty. Karen had also tried to engage in conversation, but Rachel had nothing to say either. All that interested Rachel was her father and brother. Rachel wanted them here so they could all go home.
The detective who’d loaned her his jacket, Jeff, she remembered, knocked, and entered. He said something quietly to Karen, who stood up, surrendering the chair.
“Can I join you?” he asked Rachel. She nodded. Jeff brought Karen’s chair nearer, but left some distance between them. He sat down. “How are you?”
“Where’s my dad?” said Rachel. “When’s he coming?”
Jeff stared at her, his expression neutral. “I’m sorry to say I have some bad news.”
Rachel’s bottom lip began to quiver, not wanting to believe what she knew deep down was coming next. “Is my dad dead?”
“I’m very sorry, Rachel. It was the smoke.”
“Can I see him?”
“I wouldn’t advise you to do that.”
“What about my brother?”
Jeff shook his head. “Do you know where your mother is?”
Rachel sucked in a lungful of air, unable to speak, her chest about to burst with grief. Her head dipped, tears began to flow down her cheeks, dripping onto her lap. She felt utterly lost and alone, entirely unsure what to do next. Although she’d always been independent, this was a whole new world for her.
“There’s someone waiting to see you,” said Jeff. Rachel didn’t react, she couldn’t.
“Hello, Rachel, I’m a social worker, and my name is Tiffany.”
Rachel forced herself to look up. She didn’t look like a Tiffany. A kindly, middle-aged woman, her hair in a pixie cut, smiled at Rachel in a mix of pleased-to-see-her tinged with sadness. Rachel recognised her type. She’d been in care before.
“We’ve been trying to find your aunt so she can come and get you but I’m sorry to say she’s on holiday in the Canary Islands.”
“So what happens now?” asked Rachel.
“We need to find you somewhere to live until your aunt returns.”
“A home?”
“Yes, it might be a few days or a bit more. I’m sorry I can’t be exact.”
Rachel didn’t care what happened. She was alone and lost.
“Would you mind coming with me?” asked Tiffany.
Rachel stood up. As she passed Jeff she handed back his jacket. He smiled at her, put a hand on her shoulder.
“Everything will be okay,” he said.
But Rachel knew he was lying.