The Next Girl(Detective Gina Harte #1)(27)

‘We will get her back. We will,’ Cathy said.

‘You don’t know that. None of us know that. I searched for her everywhere and found nothing, just like that lot. None of us know.’ He almost broke down as he looked back at DI Harte. She looked down. They both knew there were no guarantees. His mind whizzed around and eventually stopped on an image that would haunt him. He imagined Debbie shackled in some dungeon, with a psycho raping and beating her. His lovely Debbie, the gentle mother, the beautiful young woman he’d married on that chilly October morning. His mind flashed back to the day they’d started senior school. She was the cutest girl in the class and he’d known then that they would one day be together. Then the chains came back, the image of a monster, a devil, stooping over her.

‘Hello, I’m Devina Gupta, caseworker for Baby Jenkins. I’ll be sitting with you and can answer any questions you might have.’

‘Thank you,’ Cathy whispered as she peered into the room, trying to catch a glimpse of the baby.

Devina led the way and sat on a chair in the corner of the room. Luke watched as the woman fought to drag a notepad out of her oversized handbag. She flicked her frizzy black hair out of her eyes and began making notes.

His eyes met Cathy’s. He wanted to speak but he couldn’t. The words were muddled in his head. How on earth would he get them out in a coherent way? ‘Luke, would you prefer to wait outside?’ He shook his head and followed Cathy’s lead as she tiptoed towards the crib. She reached in and placed her finger on the baby’s hand. The baby stirred and gripped her finger before letting out a half-hearted cry. ‘I think she’s hungry.’ Cathy smiled at the baby and began to stroke her fine hair. ‘She’s beautiful. She’s one of us, Luke. We have to take care of her. I know you’re probably not ready for this, so when the time comes, she can stay with me, if you’re not—’

‘She has a brother and a sister. She’s part of Debbie.’ He broke down, sobbing until his face was completely wet and his nose was beginning to bubble. His heart had melted. This was Debbie’s baby, a connection to the only woman he’d ever truly loved, and he wasn’t about to let her down now. ‘We’ll look after her and love her, for Debbie.’

Cathy took his hand. ‘I’m so proud of you, Luke. When she comes home, we’ll all be waiting. One happy family. And she will come home.’ Cathy turned to Devina. ‘Can the baby come home too?’

‘We have a lot to go through. I’d certainly support short supervised home visits to begin with, as this is a big thing for you both. We’d need to see you in your home and we have procedures to follow, but our aim is to always keep families together if we can.’

‘Please make it happen. This little one needs me,’ Cathy said, shaking as she wiped the corner of her eye.

A doctor entered and grabbed the chart from the end of the crib. ‘Are you relatives?’ he asked.

‘Hello. Doctor Nowak, isn’t it. We met the other day,’ Gina said as she beckoned for the doctor to follow her outside the room. Devina followed, closing the door behind them. Luke peered out. He knew they were discussing their situation, their rights and the baby’s needs. He gripped Cathy’s hand and sat down. ‘I’m not prepared to let Debbie down. I know we can do this. I don’t know what we’ll say to Max and Heidi, but we’ll think of something.’

Cathy smiled. ‘They’ll be fine. We’ll work something out.’ She continued to rub Luke’s back. ‘We must think of a name. She can’t be called Baby Jenkins forever. Did Debbie ever tell you about her doll, Isobel?’

‘No. I don’t think so,’ he replied, wiping his eyes with his hand.

‘When she was a little girl, we used to read her this story about a little girl called Isobel who had the most awful nightmares. Debbie used to get nightmares sometimes, which is why we got her the book. In the story, one night, after a battle with the monsters under her bed, Isobel realises that they were only nightmares and that she ultimately has the power over them, as they aren’t real. Debbie’s father was working away one time, and he brought her back a rag doll. She loved the doll and called her Isobel, after the girl in the story. She went everywhere with the doll, until she started senior school and grew up, that is.’

‘And met me,’ he said with a smile.

‘And met you. My wonderful son-in-law and the best father in the world. When she first brought you home I made you each a fish finger sandwich. I knew then that you were the one for my daughter.’ Cathy leaned over the crib and lifted the baby up. She hugged her gently, carefully cradling her head.

Luke noticed Devina looking at him through the window in the door, checking his responses. He stroked the baby’s hair. ‘I love the name Isobel. Isobel Jenkins sounds like it was always meant to be.’

‘Are you ready to hold her?’

He reached out and took the tiny baby from Cathy. He was surprised at how light she was. He remembered Max and Heidi being quite chunky babies. Isobel was a dainty little flower. His arm shook as he laid her against his chest. Her warmth seeped through his T-shirt. The little one gurgled and brought her hands to her face before sucking on her knuckles. ‘You were right, about her being hungry.’ He kissed the top of her head and placed her back in Cathy’s arms.

‘We’re all going to be just fine. I’m going to be with you on this, every step of the way. We can do this.’ He smiled. Cathy was right. She was always right, and with her help he knew Isobel would be just fine. He thought back to sleepless nights, teething and nappies. What if Debbie never came home? Could he cope? His heart began to race. He closed his eyes and swallowed. One minute he was filled with optimism, the next with doubt. He opened his eyes and noticed Devina taking notes and glancing up at him, scrutinising his every move and reaction. Every part of him wanted to scream, to shout and punch the door, but he couldn’t lose control. He had Cathy and Isobel to think of. He had to be the man Debbie needed.