The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(19)

‘And that’s where they told you they were going, isn’t it, Mum?’ I say kindly. ‘They said they were going out to play on the street.’

Mum nods and looks at Tom. ‘I saw them out there, too. There weren’t any other kids with them, but the girls were bouncing a ball across the road to each other.’

Tom nods. ‘And that was what time, approximately?’

‘I’d say… probably about twelve,’ Mum tells him.

‘I went out to call them in for a sandwich at twelve thirty after your mum went up to bed,’ Dad says. ‘No sign of the little scamps then. I went to the gate and looked up and down the road, but there was nobody out.’

‘I thought they might have popped in to Maureen and Arthur’s for a glass of juice when he told me,’ Mum murmurs.

‘And did you check?’ Tom asks carefully. ‘If they were next door, I mean?’

Mum fusses with her hanky.

‘I went round there about twenty minutes later,’ Dad says quickly. ‘We didn’t think there was any rush, you see. Always been as safe as houses, our road.’ He looks at me and then over at Chloe. ‘These two used to play out all day long when they were little, Tom.’

My husband’s expression says it all, and I find myself cringing inwardly. The last thing I want is for Mum and Dad to think we’re criticising them, but it sounds as if the girls have been given carte blanche to do pretty much as they please.

I’ve never thought to question how my parents supervise Maddy when I’m not there. Why would I? They managed to raise my sister and me without any trouble, so it’s never felt necessary or appropriate to question their capability.

Plus, it isn’t as if my kids are with them constantly, unlike Brianna. Granted, Mum does look after Maddy and Josh on staff training days and some school holidays, or occasionally if I have to work early or late, but Tom and I try really hard not to palm them off on my parents all the time like my sister does.

Now it seems blindingly obvious that it might have been prudent to have a general chat with them about safety and how things have changed since we were small. And I could easily have quizzed Maddy about what the three of them get up to when Tom and I are at work.

I’m awash with regret. If only I’d thought to check this stuff, explain the sorts of dangers kids face today, maybe this whole terrible situation could have been avoided.

Tom stands up, and I can see he’s finding it hard to swallow down his thoughts.

‘I’d better get off to pick Josh up.’ He kisses me on the cheek. ‘See you soon.’

Once he’s gone, I sit in the empty seat opposite my parents and sister, and when I speak, my voice sounds thin and stringy.

‘How did Brianna’s interview go?’ I ask Chloe. ‘We need to talk through what they asked and what the girls said, so we have an overview.’

Chloe sobs on Mum’s shoulder and I sit there watching them like a spare part.

‘Not now, Juliet,’ Mum says, sitting back and shaking her head discreetly at me so that Chloe doesn’t notice. ‘You can see the state your sister’s in; she’s finding it hard enough to cope as it is without dredging up every detail.’

‘We’re all in a state, Mum,’ I reply. ‘But we need to make sure—’

‘I’ll go and get us some coffees, shall I?’ Dad moves towards the door.

‘Just sit down, Ray.’ Mum touches her temples with her fingers. ‘I need you here supporting me. Not running around making drinks left, right and centre.’

Dad sits back down again.

Chloe is inconsolable now, sobbing loudly into Mum’s blouse.

‘She was always the sensitive one, eh, Ray?’ Mum croons, stroking Chloe’s hair.

‘Aye,’ Dad murmurs.

I get up and walk over, placing my hand on my sister’s upper back and patting it gently. I can’t help feeling I’m somehow lacking because I’m not falling to pieces, on the outside at least. But the truth is, inside I feel hollowed out and weirdly distanced from the whole thing.

‘We were unpacking a delivery at the unit,’ I hear myself say as I sit down again. ‘We thought the girls were safe with you, Mum, until the police came banging on the door.’

‘What are you trying to say?’ Mum sits back slightly and stares at me, her small eyes glinting like black beads under the fluorescent lights.

My breathing speeds up a little.

Dad shuffles forward on his chair. ‘We couldn’t have done any more, Juliet.’

‘The girls were playing on the street, as far as I knew. I haven’t got eyes in the back of my head, you know.’ Mum presses her hand to her forehead and squeezes her eyes closed.

‘We’re run ragged when we’ve got the kiddies,’ Dad says. ‘You know that, love. We can’t be expected to—’

‘I’m not saying you’ve been negligent!’ Mum’s mouth tightens, and I soften my tone. ‘I’m not saying that at all. It’s just…’

For God’s sake. I can do without Mum’s histrionics today, but there’s no escape, stuck here with her in this tiny room. I just want to sit quietly, think the whole mess through. I really need to discuss the interviews with Chloe so we can piece together what the police are asking them.