The Lost Child (Detective Lottie Parker #3)(23)

‘You’ve enough to be concerned about without getting involved in other people’s business.’

‘That’s not what I meant. Oh, you’re not even listening to me.’

‘Come on, Lottie. You and I both know Annabelle O’Shea. No one tells her what to do. Not even her husband. Drop it.’

But Lottie couldn’t get the look on Annabelle’s face out of her mind. ‘She was scared. Why did she blame me for closing the door? Outright lie. Why do that?’

‘Why didn’t you ask her?’

‘I didn’t get a chance. She rushed me out of that house like it was on fire.’

‘If it’s bothering you that much, ring her or call into her surgery.’

‘I think I will.’

She caught Boyd’s look – his eyes wide with warning.

‘On second thoughts,’ he said, ‘don’t get involved.’

‘I said I’ll think about it. Let’s go.’

‘Can we go get—’

‘Food? No. I have to get home.’

Before she could even put her seat belt on, he was out on the main road, whizzing back towards town.



* * *



The smell of burning toast hit her as she walked through her front door. At least the smoke alarm wasn’t blaring.

‘What’s going on in here?’ she asked, dropping her bag and unplugging the toaster. She flapped a tea towel around to clear the air. Maybe the alarm needed a new battery. She’d have to check that later.

The kitchen was full of bodies. Chloe was sitting at the table on her phone. Katie was rocking baby Louis in his Moses basket. He wasn’t crying, for a change. Lottie gave him a kiss and began clearing the mess of bread, knives, butter and bottles from the counter.

‘Katie, you have to clean up after you make the bottles. And who was this for?’ She held up the blackened piece of bread. No answer. The stench of dirty nappies rose from the bin. ‘I told you to use the bin outside for nappies.’ Still no answer.

The steriliser needed to be cleaned. The carton of baby formula was almost empty. ‘Did you go shopping?’

‘Mam! How could I? I’ve been busy with Louis all day. Please keep your voice down. I’ve only just got him to sleep.’

‘You could’ve put him in his buggy and walked to the shops.’

‘Did you see the rain?’

Stepping on a pile of swept-up dirt by the door to the utility room, Lottie went to get the brush and dustpan. The washing basket was overflowing with baby clothes and towels. She loaded the machine and switched it on.

‘Where’s Sean?’

‘Over at Niall’s,’ Katie said.

Lottie was pleased that her fourteen-year-old son was once again out mixing with friends. He’d been through so much, but the counselling sessions seemed to be helping. She glanced over at Chloe. She still wasn’t sure if her daughter was on the road to recovery. Her self-harming had reached a critical point in May, before Lottie had realised what was going on. Chloe had assured her she was better, but even so, every now and then Lottie tried to catch a glimpse of the girl’s arms. There didn’t appear to be any new cuts, but there were plenty of places she couldn’t see. She just had to take Chloe’s word for it while being vigilant for the signs.

She sighed, knowing she needed to give a lecture. They would have to assume roles in the household; she couldn’t be expected to do everything while working long shifts. Just as she was about to open her mouth to begin her speech, the baby screamed.

‘Now look what you’ve done.’ Katie jumped up and grabbed a bottle.

‘What?’ Lottie stood in the middle of the floor, hands raised to the ceiling.



* * *



Baby Louis spewed milk on his clothes, his blanket, on Katie and the floor.

‘Here, give him to me.’ Lottie took the crying child. She undressed him, changed his nappy and dressed him in clean clothes. She cuddled and soothed him, and when he was calm, Katie took him back.

‘It’s quiet in the sitting room, feed him in there,’ Lottie suggested. It felt like ten people had left the room when Katie took Louis out.

As she swept the floor, Lottie turned her attention to Chloe smiling at her phone, and it struck her how long it had been since she’d seen Annabelle’s twins. One time, maybe not so long ago, now that she thought about it, the two families had been close, brought together by the kids’ activities – hurling, drama, ballet and art. Memories of Adam surfaced. The pride he had taken in their children’s achievements.

‘What’s so interesting on your phone?’ she asked.

‘Just checking stuff for my history project,’ Chloe said.

Lottie couldn’t see any sign of school books.

‘What’s the project about?’

‘History.’

‘Get much done?’

‘Loads,’ Chloe said, pocketing her phone.

‘What am I going to cook for dinner?’ Lottie asked.

‘Something quick,’ Chloe suggested. ‘I’m starving.’



* * *



The stir-fry concoction Lottie threw together was barely edible. Sean arrived home with his friend Niall and they disappeared into his bedroom. Katie took Louis to hers and Chloe claimed homework as an excuse to escape up the stairs. It was 8.30 by the time Lottie had the kitchen half tidy and to herself. She sat in the kitchen armchair and listened to the silence.