Finding Grace(63)

I melt a little and reach for his hand. He’s hurting terribly too and here we are bickering over Barbara bloody Charterhouse when our only concern should be Grace. Yes, I’m terribly concerned about Dad, of course I am. But he’s an adult. He’s made certain choices and is now dealing with the consequences.

I can’t take that responsibility on my shoulders right now, however tempting, or I’ll crumble. I resolve to try and put Dad’s problems out of my head for now, however impossible that seems.

A thought that comforts me is that my husband and best friend are truly loyal. I feel very fortunate knowing that now.

‘I have a meeting at the community hall at three.’ Blake squeezes my hand and stands up. ‘Jeffery has gathered the troops with a view to extending the search,’ he says. ‘I’ll be an hour at the most and then I’ll come straight back here so we can talk some more.’

Five minutes after he leaves, my phone rings. I’ve had calls and messages from numerous people, no doubt well-meaning, but I can’t face answering them. I thought I’d left the phone on silent.

I look at the screen, expecting it to be Blake, already paranoid about checking if I’m OK. But it’s Nadine.

‘Just ringing to see if there’s anything I can do,’ she says flatly, fully expecting me to turn down her offer, I should think.

‘Thanks, Nadine, and yes, there is. Could you possibly come over and look after Oscar for a while? Blake’s out and there’s somewhere I have to go.’

There’s a beat of surprised silence before she clears her throat. ‘Where are you going?’

‘If you could get here as soon as you can. Thanks so much.’

I end the call and gather my courage. Despite Blake reassuring me about the reasons he got rid of Mrs Charterhouse so quickly, I just need to satisfy the niggling feeling I have. Until I find out she definitely didn’t want to speak to me about something related to Grace, then there’s still a loose end that needs tying up.

Even though he doesn’t seem ready yet, I change Oscar. I’d hate to give Nadine another reason to find me lacking.

After that, I brush my hair, wash my face and clean my teeth, then manage to find a clean top that doesn’t reek of body odour.

Nadine arrives ten minutes later.

‘Oscar’s in his chair in the living room,’ I tell her when I beat Fiona to the door. She nods to Nadine and retreats back to the kitchen. ‘He’ll be ready for feeding soon, you’ll find his food in a bowl in the fridge.’

‘Where are you going, Lucie? Blake told me you’d agreed to stay put for any news.’

‘I refuse to be a prisoner in this house any longer, Nadine. Everyone else is doing something useful to find my daughter, and I intend to do the same. I’m not going far, I’ll be about an hour.’

‘You can’t go out there; the press will eat you alive! Have you seen the things that are being said about you?’

‘I’m not scared of the press,’ I snap back. ‘And I’m not interested in their vile little stories. They haven’t a clue what happened to Grace.’

Nadine’s face assumes a sly expression. ‘You do know what they’re saying online, I take it? That you were negligent letting Grace walk home alone? That Oscar has had a mysterious bump to the head? Some of the local people are saying you’re thought of as quite strange.’

‘I don’t give a fuck what they say about me.’

Nadine gasps at the profanity and touches her throat.

I stuff my feet clumsily into my flat ankle boots, holding her stare. ‘All I’m interested in is finding out as much information as I can to bring Grace home.’

Nadine calls out as I head for the front door. ‘Where shall I tell Blake you’ve gone if he comes back and asks?’

That brings Fiona rushing out of the kitchen again. She hovers in the doorway, a quizzical look on her face.

‘Just tell him I’m out,’ I say flatly. ‘That’s all he ever tells me.’

‘Lucie, it’s imperative we know where to get hold of you,’ Fiona says firmly, and Nadine nods with smug approval.

‘I have my phone,’ I say tartly. ‘But if you must know, I’m driving over to Barbara Charterhouse’s place. I won’t be long.’

‘I’m happy to come with you?’ Fiona offers.

‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine. I have my phone if you need to get in touch.’ I grab my jacket from the coat stand.

‘The press will have a field day if you go out there,’ Nadine says faintly. ‘Have you seen the state of your hair and clothing? You look like a madwoman.’

I ignore her insult and step outside the front door.

Immediately, cameras begin to click and whirr, and there’s a flurry of activity as the press at the gate realise who I am. The noise level increases dramatically, everyone shouting at once but I catch a few questions.

‘Mrs Sullivan, is there any news about Grace?’

‘Can you tell us where you’re going, Lucie?’

‘Where’s your husband? Are you two keeping strong?’

‘How’s the baby’s head? Are you struggling to cope with him?’

They don’t jostle me when I step outside the gate, but they get pretty close. I feel a bit dizzy and realise I haven’t eaten anything today. I try to keep my eyes on the pavement in front of me. Ten more steps will do it and I’ll be inside my little Fiat.