Page 25 of The Summer Swap

Not this.

Her entire life was imploding. Her mother was supposed to be here, and she’d vanished without a word. Theo was supposed to be at the hospital, but instead he was here at the party, clearly counting the hours until they could leave and he could stop pretending everything was fine. Jeff had gone. Todd had disappeared. No one seemed to be doing what they were supposed to be doing.

Theo picked up the letter and read it carefully. “Where does a person go for ‘me time’?”

“I don’t know, which is why I’m worried.” Kristen rubbed her forehead. She felt guilty that she had so little insight into the thought processes of her mother. If her mother had needed “me time” why hadn’t she said so? Why leave a note? “We need to find her, obviously.”

“Why obviously?”

“Because she must be having some kind of breakdown. Why else would she leave without telling us? She was behaving oddly all day.”

Hannah walked into the room carrying a bottle of sparkling water and a fruit plate. “Is this the Lapthorne missing persons committee?” She was wearing a fitted navy dress and her hair was loose around her shoulders. She looked young and pretty and very tired. “My preliminary investigations confirm that wherever Nanna has gone, she’s driven there.”

Kristen stared at her. “How do you know?”

“Her car is gone. Detective Work 101.”

“Where did you look?”

“By the stables. That’s where she parks.” Hannah put the fruit plate down and poured herself water. “What am I missing here? Nanna has gone AWOL. I don’t see why it’s a big deal.”

“Today was her birthday party.”

“Who hasn’t wanted to run away from a party in their time?” Hannah helped herself to a grape. “Parties can be exhausting, all that small talk and smiling and saying things you don’t mean to people you probably don’t like. Having to share your cake is a big enough reason to cry.”

Kristen didn’t manage to raise a smile. “Have you seen your brother? He might know where she is.”

“Haven’t seen him.” Hannah put the water down and helped herself to wine instead. “He’s probably trying to keep Amelie happy, which is a full-time job I can assure you. Doesn’t leave a lot of time for anything else.”

Kristen felt she should defend Amelie, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“Do you know why Amelie threw champagne over him?”

“Did she do that?” Hannah brightened. “Mmm. Interesting. Well, he can’t say I didn’t warn him.”

“Hannah—”

“They’re adults, Mom. Let them get on with it.”

If only it were that easy. “You’re still my children and I will always worry about you.” Although she would rather not have worried about them today when her worry quota was already overflowing.

“Remind me never to have kids,” Hannah muttered as she put her glass down. “We’re fine, Mom.”

Theo looped his arm around Hannah. “It’s good to spend a bit of time with you. Everything going well at the hospital? I’m proud of you. I hope you know that.”

Hannah shot him a look of alarm. “Are you okay, Dad?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because you’re—” Hannah shrugged “—I don’t know. Acting a bit weird.”

“What’s weird about telling my daughter I’m proud of her?”

“Nothing, except when it’s coming from you. You don’t normally...” Hannah coughed awkwardly and Theo gave a tired smile.

“And I’m sorry for that. From now on, expect to hear it a lot more from me. It’s important to say things in case you miss the chance.”

“I...right.” Hannah glanced at Kristen and then back at her father. “As long as you don’t embarrass me in public.” She patted his hand and carefully pulled away from him.

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