Page 44 of The Boathouse By the Loch

He’d babysat when the sitter had let Faye down, answering her call when none of the other contacts she had could help. And then it had gone from there. Jake had been reliable, always there at a drop of a hat. And then he realised he had become a fixture in their lives, in Natty’s life. He imagined Faye was afraid that if he met someone, one day, he’d have better things to do than see Natty.

But I’m not going anywhere, he wanted to tell Faye.

Of course, that train of thought didn’t help him now. And neither did standing in the queue, feeling increasingly worked up, waiting what seemed like an age for the crew to open the cabin doors. He checked for any missed calls and text messages. There was still no news.

Even if Faye had phoned him back almost immediately as he was heading out of Lark Lodge, and had told him that it was a false alarm, he’d still have caught the first flight back. He needed to see Faye, see both of them. He missed them.

Jake shook his head as he followed the snaking queue of people leaving the plane. What had he been thinking, not catching that flight with Marcus? He should never have stayed behind in Scotland. Perhaps if he hadn’t, Natty wouldn’t be missing right now.

This isn’t my fault.

Telling himself that did not help the situation. If he had been around, maybe he would have been looking after Natty, and she wouldn’t have gone missing. Jake swallowed. No way would he say that to Faye when he spoke to her. That was tantamount to blaming her for Natty’s disappearance. Jake didn’t know exactly what had happened, but from what Faye had told him – and it hadn’t been much, in her hysterical state – she believed Natty’s father was back. And he’d taken her.She’s gone, Jake – they took her.

They?Jake remembered asking, but that had been the end of the conversation. All he’d been able to do was promise he’d be on the first flight back to London. But he’d had enough time waiting for his delayed flight to figure out exactly whom Faye had meant, besides her ex, when she’d saidthey.

Chapter 17

Jake stood in the line for passport control. He called Faye’s number. He couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to know what was going on. It went to voicemail. She was too busy to answer his call. Too busy being reunited with her daughter, he hoped. Then his phone rang. His heart missed a beat when he heard Faye’s voice.

‘Have you found her?’

Jake listened, his heart pounding at every word. They hadn’t found her. Faye was frantically searching the streets with friends. One friend had been left behind to wait at her flat in case Natty turned up. The police wanted Faye to stay home, but Jake completely understood; Faye had to be out there, doing something.

‘I’m coming right over. There’s just something I need to do first.’

‘I’m not at the flat, Jake, I told you.’

‘Of course, of course.’ Jake wasn’t thinking straight. Faye said, ‘Look I haven’t got time to talk. Would you go straight to the flat? Obviously my friend is there. But it would be so much better if you were there when Natty gets home.’

Jake felt slightly better, hearing those words –when Natty gets home. It made things sound normal, like she’d just popped out, orgone out on a playdate; not like she was missing. Jake understood – Faye had to convince herself Natty would be back, otherwise she’d go crazy with worry.

‘I just wanted to tell you that—’

‘Jake – whatever it is, this just isn’t the time! Just go to the flat, will you?’

‘But it’s about—’

Faye rang off.

Jake pushed his way through the queue, getting grumbles from those waiting in line, until security stopped him. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

‘Look, it’s an emergency,’ Jake pleased.

‘Yeah, yeah.’ He shook his head.

‘No, you don’t understand, Natty is missing. I’m trying to get home to help Faye find her.’

‘Hold on. Who is Natty? Is she your child?’

Jake could hardly speak, he was so anxious to get through security and on his way. He just nodded.

‘She’s missing, you say?’

Jake nodded again.

‘Have you called the police?’

‘Her mother has. I was away in Scotland. She phoned me and—’

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