‘Is everything all right?’
I turn around. It’s Mrs Buckley walking her poodles.
‘Yes, thank you. Everything is fine.’
She looks up at the house. ‘I don’t think anyone’s home.’
‘I’ll just try once more,’ I say. And as I turn to pound the door again, it opens.
‘Jesus, Kate! Calm down!’ Teri says.
I turn around. Mrs Buckley moves on, throwing looks over her shoulder.
Turning back to Teri, I demand, ‘Let me in.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Let me in, Teri!’ She doesn’t budge. I crane my neck. ‘Holly!?’
‘She doesn’t want to talk to you; we told you already. I don’t know what else to say.’
I push her with both hands, but she’s taller and fitter than me and she still doesn’t budge. I point my finger in her face. ‘She’s coming home with me. Right now. Is that clear?’
She shakes her head, like I’m the saddest thing she’s ever seen. Then she turns around. ‘Holly? I think you need to talk to Kate. She won’t leave.’
And then I see Holly up the stairs looking down at me. She looks so different. She’s wearing full makeup again, even more of it this time, and clothes I’ve never seen before: a black and white checked skirt, black boots and a dark green shirt with white roses.
I point my finger at her. My hand is shaking. ‘Holly, I mean this. You come home right now.’
‘I don’t want to. You’re scaring me.’
‘Scaring you? That’s ridiculous!’
‘I’m sorry, Kate,’ Teri says softly. ‘I don’t know what to say. She doesn’t want to see you, and I have to respect her wishes.’ She closes the door.
I hammer on it again, but the door remains closed. I call Holly’s name until my voice is hoarse. The door stays shut.
I run home and grab my phone. I hope I’m not going to regret this, but right now, I have no choice.
I call 999.
‘My name is Kate Price. My stepdaughter has been kidnapped.’
43
‘You want to report a kidnapping?’ asks a young man. He sounds surprisingly blasé.
‘Yes. My stepdaughter. Please come.’
‘How old is your stepdaughter?’
‘Sixteen.’
‘Is she being held against her will?’
I rub my forehead. ‘Not exactly, but she’s at my neighbour’s house, and my neighbour won’t let me see her.’
‘Is your stepdaughter able to leave your neighbour’s house?’
