This is not going well – at all. Maybe I should make some notes so I can keep my story straight.
‘Missing person?’ he shrieks.
I check my watch. Where is Holly anyway? Jonathan is speaking. I try to focus.
‘I’m so sorry. I had no idea,’ he says.
‘No idea about what, Jonathan?’
‘That you two had problems. That he…he really left you?’
‘Yes. There was another woman, you see.’
‘Oh, God, Kate. I’m sorry. I can’t believe it. I’ve only seen you two together twice, at our work functions, but you looked so in love…’
Well, yes. He would say that, since that’s the image Max liked to project. Whenever we were out together, he would hold my hand, interlacing our fingers. He would wink at me from across the room and make sure I had a drink, that I was warm enough or cool enough, pressing his hand on the small of my back. To anyone watching, we were indeed very much in love.
‘Where could he be?’ I hear Jonathon say.
‘I don’t know, but that’s why I was about to go to the police. If you wouldn’t mind…?’
‘Of course. Will you keep us posted?’
‘I will.’
‘I really hope it works out, Kate,’ he says at the door. ‘That he’s all right and he comes home. You two really are a beautiful couple.’
‘Thank you.’ I nudge him out.
‘Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.’
‘I will. Thank you. Goodbye.’
I close the door, walk into the living room and sit on the edge of a chair to call Holly.
It goes to voicemail. I leave her a message: ‘Can you call me back, please?’
I hang up and wait, staring at the screen, my pulse racing. How long has she been there? She was supposed to go round straight after I left, which was two hours ago. Maybe Teri wasn’t up. Maybe she didn’t hear our argument after all. Maybe Holly has only been there for twenty minutes.
I send her a text:Where are you? I’m home, and you’re not here.
I stare at the screen some more, willing those little dots to start moving.
Nothing.
I pace the room. I should go there. Get her out. Something’s happened. She should have been home by now. Oh, God. What was I thinking, sending her in there?
Who does Kate love most in the world?
I feel sick to my stomach. I text Holly again, my fingers trembling:Come home.
Nothing.
I try calling her again. This time she answers. I sit back, breathing with relief.
‘Hello, Kate.’
Except it’s not Holly. It’s Teri.
