Page 38 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘A trick?’

‘Yes, you know … a prank.’

Jake frowned. It reminded him of Eleanor. It sounded just likesomething she’d do.

‘Sorry, you haven’t got time to listen to this.’

Jake shook his head. ‘It’s all right.’ He wanted to hear this, despite being anxious to get on his way. ‘Go on.’

‘She told me to tell him she was staying in London for the rest of the weekend. But unbeknown to David, she’s travelling home today, and she’ll be waiting in their room upstairs to surprise him.’

Jake cast a glance upstairs.

‘Oh, she’s not back yet. But she’s going to arrive before he gets in from work.’

For a moment, Jake’s thoughts turned to Robyn, wishing he wasn’t going to miss seeing her. He really wanted to meet her. Even more so, after what Gayle had just told him.

‘Look, don’t let me keep you. Now, remember that when you’ve found her, you’re most welcome to head on over to my place for a few days’ holiday.’

Jake smiled. She made it sound like they were locals, not coming all the way from London.

‘I’ll have the room prepared.’

Jake smiled. ‘All right. I’d love to come back, and bring them with me.’

‘Good.’ Gayle glanced at Olive. ‘Do you hear that? You might get to meet some more very nice people who will give you lots of fusses. Who knows, perhaps Natty would like to put some ribbons in your fur, and make you all pretty.’

Olive barked excitedly.

‘I thought you’d like that idea.’

Jake walked to the car.

Gayle called out, ‘Don’t worry. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the time you arrive in London, she’s home safe and well.’

Jake prayed that was the case. He raised his hand to wave.

‘See you soon, Jake.Allof you.’

Jake stood there for a moment, wishing he could fast-forward this moment, and Faye and Natty were with him, and they’d just arrived in Scotland all together, and this episode with Natty going missing was well and truly behind them.

He took one more look at Gayle’s beautiful Scottish home. As soon as he got in the car, he had to remember to breathe, like Gayle had said. He was wound up like a tight coil. All his anxieties over what might have happened to Natty came flooding back.

Thankfully the flight wasn’t a long one; otherwise he didn’t know how he’d stand it. Getting to the airport and waiting around for the afternoon flight was going to be bad enough. But it was still quicker than driving all the way back from Scotland.

As he set off in the car, he was relieved he hadn’t had to stand and listen to Gayle make suggestions as to what might have happened to Natty – she might have got lost, or run away from home – because the last thing he wanted to tell her was that Natty might have been taken, and by those closest to her – her father and grandfather.

It might be innocent enough; perhaps Yousaf was back in the country, and he had wanted to see his daughter. That wouldn’t surprise Jake. It wouldn’t surprise Faye either. That was what she’d told Jake she imagined had happened. Rather than ask her if he could see Natty, he’d got in contact with her father Patrick, whom, according to Faye, he had always got on with very well. Faye believed that together they’d hatched a plan for Yousaf to see Natty without her mother. Those were Faye’s thoughts when she’d told Jake,she’s gone – they took her.And now Jake was on his way to get her back.

Chapter 15

‘What are you doing up here?’ Gayle reached the top of the second flight of stairs to discover that David was standing on the landing, knocking at the door. She hadn’t heard him come in. Olive had got out into the garden and had brought muddy paws back into the kitchen. Gayle realised she’d been so busy mopping the kitchen floor that she hadn’t heard David walk into the house and straight up the stairs.

‘Here – let me take those,’ said David, wrestling the clean sheets and towels out of her hands. He looked from the fresh-smelling sheets to the door. ‘Hey,Idon’t get my bedclothes changed every day.’

Gayle glanced down the stairs. ‘Um, have you just got in?’

‘Yes, I came straight up here.’

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