Finding Grace(37)

Ahead of us, the kitchen unit lights are on and the room is bathed in a soft light. At the other side of the house, large French doors in the dark open-plan dining area provide a view through to the illuminated lounge at the front.

As we near the house, I see that Bev and Mike are in the kitchen. The door is closed, and they’re standing facing each other, side-on to the window. Something in the way they are standing – too close and with concerned expressions – makes me feel uncomfortable.

I stop walking and whisper to Blake, ‘They look worried about something, don’t you think?’

‘I’m sure they’re worried about Grace’s whereabouts, Lucie, like everyone is.’

‘Yes, but…’ I let my words trail away. I feel like Blake is ready to shoot down anything I say.

They look angry at each other, is what I want to say. They do. I recognise it in Bev especially. She’s frowning and seems to be the one saying the most.

I start walking again. We’re only a few paces away from the kitchen window now, and the back door.

Bev is a good friend, a good mother to Olivia. It’s her arms I want to feel around me; she will at least understand on some level how Grace’s absence is truly killing me.

I’m still staring when, without warning, her hand suddenly shoots out and she slaps Mike across the face.

‘Shit!’ Blake hisses behind me. ‘Lucie… come on, we can’t go in there now. Let’s go back home.’

Mike’s own hand flies to his stung cheek and he steps towards Bev, his face assuming a mask of fury that makes my knees feel wobbly. In all the time we’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so angry. He’s like a completely different person.

I make a half-turn, ready to leave. But then Bev and Mike must see the flashlights from our phones, because Bev’s mouth falls open and her hand moves up to cover it.

I’m standing still in shock, not sure what to do, when the back door flies open and Mike is there.





Twenty-Six





‘Lucie, Blake… is everything OK?’ He clears his throat and looks from Blake to me. ‘Have they found her? Is Grace back home?’

‘No, not yet,’ I say quietly. ‘Look, Mike, I’m sorry to just turn up like this out of the blue. I just needed to speak to you and Bev. I…’

The tears take me by surprise. My cheeks are wet and my nose is running.

‘Come in. Come on.’ He steps outside in his slippers and puts his arm around my shoulders.

When I go inside, Bev is waiting there for me.

‘I’m sorry,’ I sniff. ‘Disturbing you like this.’

‘Don’t be silly. We wanted to come over but didn’t want to intrude when it’s all so raw. Come through to the living room.’ She glares at Mike. ‘Do you think you could make some tea?’

‘Course,’ he replies, his tone thick with sarcasm.

To my surprise, Blake doesn’t stay with Mike in the kitchen, but comes into the lounge with us. Olivia is sitting on the settee in her pyjamas, watching television. I want to question her, ask if Grace said anything about calling somewhere on the way home. She looks at me warily. I think I’m staring.

‘Listen, Bev,’ I hear Blake say. ‘We shouldn’t have just turned up like this. I should’ve called you first. I’m sorry, we can come back another time.’

‘Nonsense!’ Bev insists. ‘It’s fine. Sit yourself down, Lucie. I simply can’t imagine what you’re going through.’ She looks at Olivia. ‘Darling, can you watch the rest of the programme in your bedroom?’

Olivia slides wordlessly out of her seat. She slows down as she passes my chair, and for a second, I think she’s going to say something.

‘Are you OK, Livvy?’ I ask. She nods warily.

‘Up to your bedroom then, poppet,’ Bev says.

Olivia breaks eye contact and scurries away.

‘She’s taken it really hard,’ Bev whispers. ‘She’s desperately worried about Grace. As we all are.’

‘Have you asked her if Grace said anything about calling somewhere before coming home, or—’

‘We’ve talked to her several times,’ Bev confirms a little tersely, I think. ‘The police have had a quick chat with her too.’

Something in her voice tells me that that’s as far as she wants Olivia questioned.

Mike comes in and sits on the arm of the sofa next to me, as far away from Bev as he can get, I notice.

‘Anything we can do, you only have to say. I hope you know that,’ he says.

‘Thanks, mate, appreciate that,’ Blake tells him.

I look up and catch Mike aiming what I’m sure is a glare at my husband. I feel shocked but immediately think I must’ve read something into it that’s not there.

Blake doesn’t seem to have noticed, but when I look at him properly, for what feels like the first time in a long time, his stubbled face is pale and weary.

‘There’s no news at all yet?’ Mike says awkwardly, breaking the silence.

‘I’m sure they’d have said right away if they’d heard anything, Mike.’ Bev’s nostrils flare.

Blake shifts in his seat. It’s all so uncomfortable, as if there’s stuff happening that I’m not aware of. But then I haven’t come around here for a cosy, relaxing chat.