I nod nervously.
‘We’re concerned about Joel.’
‘Oh?’ I say, confused.
‘Joel isn’t acting the way I would expect a child to behave after losing their mother.’
I struggle to find the right words. ‘Well… he does miss her.’
Mrs Wright nods.
‘I’d expect him to be sad, lost, even, but he seems very happy. It’s as though nothing has changed for him.’
I can’t disagree. Joeldoesseem happy.
‘I can speak to Mr Neal,’ I say.
‘I’d appreciate that. I don’t want to risk a sudden breakdown in the classroom.’
Her expression softens with concern. ‘I think Joel needs professional support. Could you ask his father to meet with me? After the holiday is fine, if he can’t manage it before.’
‘Yes, of course.’
Armed with the painting and Joel’s backpack, I collect him from the classroom.
He’s smiling, as always.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Gil
‘Four days in Vienna? That’s fantastic. Can you sneak me into your suitcase?’ I ask, half joking.
I’m at Danny’s flat, collecting Joel. It is my Sunday off, something I always look forward to.
Things have been strained between Daniel and Donald ever since Jo’s memorial. I’ve offered to take Joel to his grandparents’ house on my free Sundays. So, every two weeks, I collect Joel and take him there for Sunday lunch. Afterwards, we stop off at an ice-cream parlour in Oxford before heading back to mine, where Daniel usually picks him up at around seven. I feel closest to Jo when I’m with Joel.
‘You’re welcome to join us if you can get the time off. Should be easy to book another room,’ Danny says.
God, no. That would have people talking.
‘Thanks for the offer, but I’m doing double shifts next week. The replacement surgeon was only temporary, and the new one doesn’t start for another week.’
He’s focused on packing the suitcase and doesn’t seem to hear me. Or maybe he doesn’t want to.
‘I spoke to DS Blackford,’ I say casually.
He stops packing abruptly.
‘I know. She came to see me. Why are you pushing this, Gil?’
‘I’m not,’ I say defensively. ‘We just had a chat. I asked if they were still looking for Jo.’
‘The case is closed, Gil,’ he says, pulling a toy from the suitcase and trying again to zip it shut.
‘They’re still following any leads or sightings,’ I add.
He looks annoyed.
