Page 28 of That One Touch

“It’s Presley Hartson.”

“I know. I have this magic screen where your name appears when you call.” Her voice was light. Teasing. Any other time she might have made him smile.

“I need your help.” There it was. Another admission that he couldn’t do this thing alone. He knew people said it took a village to raise a child, well it took a whole small town to help with his kid.

“What’s up?” she asked, her tone changing. He had the feeling that she was good at helping. She certainly didn’t sound surprised.

“Delilah’s giraffe is missing. Do you know if she had her in class today?”

There was a pause, like she was thinking. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she did.”

Well that was one mystery solved at least. “Okay. Thanks. I’ll let her know. She’s kind of missing her.”

“I could check if you’d like?” she offered. “I have a set of keys and it’s not far away. I know how attached she is to Lola.”

Weird how his chest tightened at the fact that his kid’s dance teacher knew her giraffe’s name. If Marley was listening in he’d laugh right now.

“It’s okay, we take up enough of your time.” There was no way he could ask this of her.

“Honestly, it’s fine. I was feeling bored anyway. I’ll let you know if I find her, okay?”

He swallowed down his pride for his daughter’s sake. “I really appreciate that.”

“It’s not a problem. I’ll speak to you soon.” He heard the jingle of keys. Damn, the woman was fast. “Tell Delilah to hang in there.”

“Thanks. I will.”

It felt strange walking through the dance school’s corridors at night. The whole place was silent and it sent a shiver up Cassie’s spine. During the day it was full of life – music spilling out of rooms, children running to classes or to meet their parents.

But now it was just Cassie and her thoughts as she pushed open the door to her studio and flipped one of the light switches.

The overhead light flickered for a moment, the pitch black room looking like some kind of horror movie. Then it came to life, and she laughed at the way her heart was hammering against her chest.

Damn, her imagination was way too good.

Turning around on her feet, she scoured the room for Lola. There was no sign of her on the floor where Delilah had sat waiting for her grandmother to pick her up, or by the hooks where they hung their coats.

But as she turned to look by the dance mats, she saw a flash of orange underneath the piano. A little leg was sticking out. She walked over and hunched down to pull her out.

It took a little tugging. It was like somebody had deliberately pushed the toy under there. Cassie frowned. Had one of the other kids done it to play a trick on Delilah?

“Come on,” she muttered, taking care because there was no way she wanted to rip the giraffe’s fur. With a little twisting and turning the toy was finally free.

Elation rushed through her. She felt like she’d just delivered a baby, not freed an inanimate object.

When she stood she pulled her phone from her pocket and navigated to the last call, clicking the phone button.

Pres answered within seconds.

“I’ve got her,” she said, a smile pulling at her lips.

“You’re a fucking miracle worker,” he said. “Ah shit. Sorry for swearing.”

It was impossible not to laugh. It was stupid how giddy she was feeling. “Give me your address and I’ll drop her off on my way home.”

“You don’t need to do that.” His voice was low. She wondered if he was in the room with Delilah but then she remembered the swearing. He may have a dirty mouth, but she was pretty sure he wouldn’t swear in front of his daughter.

“It’s not a big deal,” she told him. “Honestly.”

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