Page 60 of She Saw What He Did

The man nods and thankfully walks on.

I can’t breathe. I’m going to pass out on the street. I grab the door handle of the restaurant to steady myself.

‘You can have it, you can …’ I breathe.

‘Nothing will happen to your daughter or the old lady as long as you do as I tell you. If you contact the police, and that includes those police on the island, then I can guarantee you’ll never see your family again …’

‘Oh please,’ I plead. ‘Let me just talk to them.’

My whole body tingles with adrenalin.

‘I’ll be in touch again. Trust me, your daughter is safe.’

‘Daphne has a heart condition. She needs …’

‘No police,’ he says, and the line goes dead.

‘No, wait, please.’

I stand lost and afraid outside the restaurant. People pass. Others leave the restaurant while more enter. People are living their lives, normal lives. I don’t know how long I stand there with the sun beating down on me. I jump when a hand touches my shoulder.

‘Abby, is everything alright? You’re as white as a ghost.’

It’s Nina. Her face is concerned. I can’t tell her the truth.

‘Sam’s sick. I have to go home,’ I say.

‘Of course, let me …’

But I don’t hear her. How can I be so far away? What am I doing in Truro? Oh my baby, my poor baby. I step in front of a cab waving my arms frantically.

‘What the hell, lady?’ the driver yells.

‘Please, it’s an emergency I need to get to Porthaven.’

He nods, and I climb into the cab and with shaking hands tap Jared’s number into my phone.

*

Something’s wrong. Joe knew it. Daphne and Sam were now an hour late. Daphne had not responded to any of his messages or answered his calls. He tried to think why she wouldn’t be able to use her phone. It’s possible the battery may have died, although unlikely. Even if there was a problem with it, she would find a way to reach him. She knew he would worry. He stood up and walked to the entrance of the restaurant, tapping in Abby’s number as he went. She answered immediately.

‘Oh, Joe. I’m on my way home …’

‘I can’t seem to get hold of Daphne,’ he broke in.

He heard a small sob from the other end of the line.

‘He’s got Sam,’ she whispered.

Joe slowly closed his eyes. The sound of happy laughter from the pizza restaurant tore at his heartstrings. He’d known it before he’d phoned Abby and now she had confirmed his worst fears. He, Daphne and Sam should be in that restaurant, laughing and having fun. The noise swelled and then died as he closed the door.

‘Don’t call the police, Joe. Meet us at the house,’ said Abby, her voice breaking.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Abby

I almost fall from the cab. The driver must think I’m either demented or drunk. I hand him my credit card without even asking what the fare is. The front door flies open, and Jared stands on the threshold. He looks old. His handsome face is creased with worry, his soft hazel eyes over bright. I shove him back into the house, slamming the door behind me, before releasing the tears I’d held back in the cab.

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