Page 5 of Her Hidden Shadow

The woman paused as if reflecting on the enormity of the crime. ‘Right, sorry. I saw something strange when Lauren got dropped off in a taxi. The driver walked around the car. He opened the passenger door, so I nudged the window open a little. That’s when I heard Lauren shouting at him, telling him not to touch her. Anyway, I recognised the car as I’d pulled up with a takeaway earlier that night. It was the same car that picked her up.’

Jacob finished writing a few notes.

‘What time did Lauren get picked up?’ Gina asked.

‘Around nine. I don’t know the exact time. Three women got into the car. One was Lauren and there were another two. They were all dressed up. I waved and said alright before grabbing my pizza and going. It’s when she got dropped off that has me worried.’

‘What time was this?’

‘Around three. I noticed the driver leering at Lauren so when I heard her shout get off me at him, I was on high alert. I watched her leave the taxi to make sure she was okay. I’m sure she said something like, “you can go now”. Maybe not exactly like that, but he was staring at her in a weird way. Anyway, I grabbed my dressing gown, thinking I might have to go down and help her if he got any creepier but then he left. Well, I say he left.’

‘Are you saying that he didn’t leave?’

The woman nodded. ‘That’s exactly what I’m saying. He drove a little way down the road and pulled up on the pavement. I saw his phone light up as he watched Lauren in his rear-view mirror. As I said, creepy. I was quite relieved when he left and then when I saw you lot show up. The blue light brigade. Before he left, he did something strange.’

Gina waited for Jacob to catch up. ‘What was that?’

‘He turned the engine off, got out of the car and went up to the bungalow. It just looked like he was creeping around. I couldn’t see much as the hedge covered him, but I thought he could be snooping around. I swear he looked like he was up to no good. Would you like a drink?’

Jacob shook his head.

‘No, thank you,’ Gina replied. She’d have loved a coffee, but time was against them. ‘Did you see the driver at any other time yesterday evening?’

‘I wasn’t looking for him. I was watching a film with my kids, then I went to bed. I only saw her leave and come back, nothing in between.’

‘Can you describe him?’

‘It was dark, and he wasn’t exactly under my nose but I’ll do my best. White. Taller than Lauren in her heels, but not by much. He was wearing a bomber jacket and he had thin legs, I mean sparrow thin. Tight jeans. Dark hair. That’s all I saw.’

Gina was quite impressed by how much Kimmy had remembered. ‘Did you catch the make of his car, or did you see any signage that might tell us who he works for?’

‘No signage but it was a saloon. It looked shiny and was either navy blue or black.’

‘Do you have a doorbell camera?’

‘No, wish I did but I never have any spare pennies with my two.’

‘Mummy.’ Gina heard the tiny voice coming from the landing.

‘Damn, looks like the youngest has woken.’ The woman walked to the kitchen door. ‘I’ll be up in a minute, kiddo. Wait in bed.’

‘Is there anything else you can add?’

‘No, sorry. That really is it. Just that he was a bit creepy, and she was telling him not to touch her.’ The woman paused. ‘Is Lauren alright? I don’t really know her well, but she seems nice. She always says hello if I see her but generally, she keeps herself to herself.’

Gina nodded. ‘We hope so. Can you tell us who she lives with?’

‘Oh yes, Robbie, the charmer.’

‘Robbie the charmer?’

‘Yes, he’s always flashing smiles and saying good morning. He’s a lovely guy. Always available to help the residents with building flat-pack or carrying a bit of furniture.’

Gina had no information at all on Robbie Shields, except that he was living with Lauren. ‘How was their relationship?’

‘Beautiful. They were always hand in hand, had these sneaky kisses when they thought no one was looking.’

‘Did you see anyone else visit the house today?’

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