The Girls Who Disappeared(52)

We’re interrupted by a knock on the door. It’s nearly seven. It’ll be Dale. Damn it. I’m tempted to cancel him, but I also want to ask him if he knew of Olivia’s claim that the man following her had a facial scar. Not to mention why he kept the fact he was Tamzin’s boyfriend from me.

I glance across at Olivia. She’s trying to hide it by smiling but her whole body is tense. ‘Is that Dale?’

‘I think so. I’m sorry, I lost track of time. He’ll have to wait while I run you home.’ And then it hits me that I’ve had a few glasses of wine. What was I thinking? I’d been so swept up in our conversation that I forgot I was supposed to be driving Olivia home.

I get up to let Dale in. Olivia follows me and starts tugging on her boots. Dale has his scarf pulled up to his chin and his hands thrust into his pockets. I feel another thud of disappointment that he lied about Tamzin. Behind him the treetops are shaking in the wind.

‘Hi,’ he says, his hazel eyes softening. And then he notices Olivia behind me. ‘Oh, hey, Olivia.’

‘Dale.’ She nods at him. ‘I’m just going.’ She takes her yellow raincoat from the peg and pulls it on.

It has started to rain, a faint drizzle that has settled on the shoulders of Dale’s overcoat. I’m embarrassed to have to ask him to drive Olivia home. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I say to both of them. ‘I didn’t think when we started drinking.’

‘Really, there’s no need. I can get a taxi.’

‘I’m happy to drive you,’ insists Dale. He’s still standing on the threshold and he takes his car keys out of his pocket. ‘It’s a horrible night out there and it’ll take me ten minutes.’

‘That’s kind of you, Dale,’ I admit grudgingly.

‘No, please, it’s fine,’ Olivia says, looking mortified at the thought.

Dale holds up a hand. ‘I wouldn’t hear of you paying for a taxi.’ He turns to me and grins. ‘I’ll be back soon. A strong coffee on my return would be appreciated.’ He gives me a friendly wink.

And then he’s ushering a clearly uncomfortable Olivia out of the door.





31



Olivia


Is it her imagination or is there a flicker of something, chemistry perhaps, between Dale and Jenna? She’s sure he winked at her just now. She knows Jenna must be feeling vulnerable after her husband’s rejection but she’s only known him five minutes. Not that Olivia has much experience with men, only ever having been with Wesley.

Olivia decides it’s none of her business as she thanks Jenna and follows Dale down the driveway. She stumbles on the uneven path and has to grab Dale’s arm. ‘Whoa,’ he says. ‘Are you okay?’

‘No, it’s badly lit out here,’ she says, removing her hand from his arm, embarrassed.

‘It’s pretty bad,’ he agrees. ‘Mind your step here, there’s a big stone.’

She treads carefully behind him, grateful when she gets to his car.

‘So,’ says Dale, as she closes the passenger door and reaches for her seatbelt. He starts the ignition but doesn’t drive off. ‘I’m surprised you agreed to talk to Jenna.’

‘It was about time. I just hope something good comes out of it.’

He nods, just once, his eyes straight ahead. ‘I’m glad. And I know I spoke to you already about Ralph but I’d like to have a more formal chat about the accident. Maybe tomorrow? I did leave a few messages with your mum.’

She’s surprised to hear this. Her mum never said. ‘I gave statements at the time. Do you really need to speak to me again?’

‘I do, yes.’ His tone is crisp now, official.

‘Then, fine.’

Dale starts the car. Radio X blasts from the speakers and Dale turns it down. ‘Sorry.’ He grins. ‘I have it much too loud when I’m driving on my own. My mum used to tell me I’d go deaf.’

Olivia is silent as Dale turns right out of the forest and onto the Devil’s Corridor. She hates this road.

Eventually she says, ‘Jenna told me about the photos you found in Ralph’s caravan. Do you have them on you? I’d like to see them.’

His jaw tightens. ‘I was going to talk to you about them when I saw you tomorrow.’

‘I’d like to see them now, if possible.’

‘Okay.’ His mouth twists into a smile. ‘I’ll show them to you in a minute when I’ve stopped. So … what else did you and Jenna talk about?’

He’s trying to sound nonchalant but she’s not fooled. ‘I told her you went out with Tamzin, if that’s what you mean.’ As soon as the words are out of her mouth she instantly regrets them. The mood in the car changes, and when he answers his voice sounds strange, as though his throat is constricted.

‘Right.’ There’s that tone again. Officious. Tight.

She sneaks a glance at his profile. His mouth is set hard. She’s always thought that Dale was good-looking in a grungy kind of way. Not conventionally handsome but he has sparkly hazel eyes and good hair, even if it’s always unkempt. When he was going out with Tamzin he wore Adidas Samba trainers and retro T-shirts. It seems strange to see him so smartly dressed now. She almost expects him to have trainers on beneath his suit trousers.