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‘She just said this wasn’t the right place for her and she needed a change.’ He sighs. ‘I did suggest we should let her go ages ago. Remember?’
‘Not now, Cole. I really can’t deal with this at the moment.’ I head to the office.
‘We’ll manage,’ he calls after me. ‘Don’t worry.’
I call Katy’s phone, but it rings until her voicemail kicks in. ‘Katy, hi, it’s Hannah. Can we talk about this please? I thought you were happy at the shop. Give me a call back when you can.’
Next I call Taylor, but he doesn’t answer either. Uneasiness spreads through me: Taylor always answers my calls. I leave a message urging him to call me as soon as he can.
I scroll through the internet on my phone, soaking up all the latest posts and news stories about Alice. The police still have no leads.Because Max isn’t known to them.
Cole appears in the doorway and suggests I go for some lunch. ‘If you’re here for the book club tonight, you’ll need to eat something.’
I wish I’d never agreed to it now, but I can’t let Nadia down. Her daughter still hasn’t replied to me, and I’ve chased her up too many times already.
When I call Sarah to check on Max, in a hushed voice she tells me that he’s asleep. ‘Good thing, too,’ she says. ‘After you left, he was trying to convince me that he’d be okay on his own, and that I should go. You know how stubborn he is. I almost gave in.’
‘You won’t leave, though, will you?’
‘No. I told you I’d look after him, and that’s what I’m doing. There is something I need to tell you, though.’
My chest constricts. ‘What?’ The trouble when you lie to everyone around you is that the avalanche can come crashing down at any moment.
‘I said I’d meet Dean tomorrow.’
I stop holding my breath. ‘Are you sure about this?’
‘He’s Ivy’s dad. Whatever’s happened, I can’t change that.’
And that’s exactly the same for me and Max.
‘Thank you again,’ Nadia says, taking my hand. ‘Cole says you might be short-staffed?’
‘It’s fine. Just had Katy leave us with no warning.’
‘Oh dear – that’s not good. I hope it won’t cause a problem for tonight?’
‘Not at all. I’ll be here for whatever you need.’
‘Wonderful. I’ve had thirteen confirmations. Unlucky for some, but not me. Thirteen is actually my lucky number.’
For an hour I sit in the coffee area, on hand in case anyone needs anything. Although I’m listening to the ladies as they all animatedly discussThis Is How We Are Human, my mind is crammed with other thoughts. Max. Alice Hughes. The man in the silver Golf. Taylor. The ten-thousand-pound cash withdrawal.
Nothing makes sense; I’m locked in an escape room, with no idea how to solve the puzzles that will set me free.
‘Hannah?’
I look up and Nadia is peering at me, frowning. ‘Are you okay? You were miles away. We’ve finished. That went well, I think.’
‘Sorry. Let me see everyone out.’
When everyone’s gone, Nadia hovers by the door.
‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.
‘Yes. Well, I’m not sure, actually.’ She pulls on her red faux-leather gloves. ‘I spoke to Eloise earlier. She said you’d messaged her. Asking all sorts of questions about Alice Hughes.’
Her loaded words hang in the air.
