Page 53 of Daydreams & Doughnut Cake

‘Really? You don’t have to.’

‘No, I want to. I want to help you find her.’

‘Okay. I’ll just call Zak and tell him where I’m going then I’ll jump in the car.’

‘I’ll get Amelie dressed and we’ll see you there.’

*****

The drive was tense. Amelie was silent in the back, probably picking up on my worry.

I was talking to Ellie as we drove to Henley Green from opposite directions.

I wanted to reassure her that Maisie would be fine, but I knew it would be useless. I knew I’d be exactly the same in her shoes if Amelie had suddenly gone off the radar and I’d no idea where she was.

Amelie was obviously a lot younger but I knew I’d feel this way, no matter how old she was. She would always be my baby, even when she was almost a teenager... Maisie’s age.

I’d always be worrying.

And it was the same for Ellie . . .

Pulling into Henley Green, I spotted Ellie’s car immediately. It was parked on the high street and Ellie was just getting out with Isla. It was only then that I realised she wasn’t properly dressed. In her panic, she’d rushed out still wearing her pyjamas and furry sliders!

Ellie waved at us then she hurried into the shop. We got out, I took Amelie’s hand and we followed her inside.

But when I joined her, it was clear from the look on the assistant’s face that she hadn’t seen Maisie.

‘Maybe she’s still on the bus?’ she suggested.

Ellie nodded. ‘She might still be on her way. I’ll look up the times of the buses... see when it arrives here.’

‘How about we wait in the café next door?’ I suggested. ‘We can get a table in the window and look out for her?’

She nodded. ‘Good idea. Yes, that must be it. She just hasn’t got here yet.’

I exchanged a wary look with the assistant. I wished I could be as sure as Ellie seemed to be that this was definitely where Maisie was heading... because now I was having doubts.

In the café, I bought two coffees while Ellie sat in the window, craning her neck for any sign of a bus. Isla was fast asleep in her car seat.

Back at the table, I looked up the bus times and my heart sank. There seemed to be just one every two hours which meant if Maisie had got on it, she would have been here half an hour ago and the assistant would have seen her.

‘Try her mobile again,’ I suggested.

‘What? Oh, okay.’ Ellie quickly redialled and I could hear it ringing.

And then I heard a faint, ‘Hello?’ as Maisie answered.

‘Maisie?’ gasped Ellie. ‘Oh, Maisie, where on earth are you?’

She was frowning, the phone pressed to her ear as she listened. She made a wide-eyed expression at me and I couldn’t tell if it was a good or a bad sign.

‘Right. Stay where you are. I’m coming to fetch you.’

Ending the call, she stood up, looking hugely relieved. ‘She’s in Sunnybrook, would you believe? I’ll just phone Zak and let him know because he’ll no doubt have been just as frantic.’ She breathed out a big sigh as she waited for him to answer.

Outside on the pavement, I told her we’d follow her in my car.

‘Really?’ She looked relieved. ‘Well, I’m paying for the petrol you’ve used and no argument. And for the coffees!’

---