AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bevan smiles a hard little smile.
‘Really,’ says Ash.
‘If you’re absolutely sure, Ash. Ava?’ Tristan looks at his twins, one by one, then over to me with a raised eyebrow.
We have a silent code for communicating in front of Father. Tristan will stand up for what I need. But Father must believe it’s the twins swaying him, not me.
I realise I should’ve done everything in my power to talk to Father about Jenna before anyone else. I’ve left him wrong-footed.
‘For God’s sake,’ says Mina. I want to hug her. She stands up, takes a cup from my mother and hands it to Croft.
‘Thank you, Mina,’ says Tristan, his voice clipped. She seems to shrink slightly and reminds me for a second of my mother, after my father has told her off.
Theo looks at me and presses a hand to his chest in solidarity. But what does he really think? He’s a campaign manager. He’d prefer Tristan consult a lawyer before ordering coffee.
‘I think it’s okay, Father,’ says Tristan.
‘Please,’ I say. ‘Can we just get started?’
Bevan agrees and I show her to Tristan’s office. We sit and Bevan reaches across the desk. ‘I am sorry.’
My nose stings.
‘I’ll be as quick as I can, but I must be thorough.’
She asks me all the same questions I’ve been asked before and agitation rises up my neck. She asks about Glastonbury. She wants to know about Jenna’s real father and I explain, ‘He knows about her, but it was just a fling. He hasn’t even met her.’
All the same, Bevan takes his details.
I describe how quiet Jenna has become, hearing the truth of it.
I press my thigh and close my eyes to live in the pain but worry I’ll start bleeding again so I reach under my chair for the upholstery pin that pokes through. I drive it into the pad of my index finger.
I have to tell her about Georgia. That’s why my father wanted a lawyer – to advise us on what to say about Georgia – isn’t it? But we have nothing to hide. It’s all in police records anyway.
‘Look,’ I say. ‘I think someone needs to question a teacher of Jenna’s, Georgia Smith.’
Bevan looks up. ‘Tell me about Georgia.’
‘We went to school with her. She hates our family. But Mr Whitlow, the headteacher, says she’s developed a close relationship with Jenna – that doesn’t make sense. And look.’ I show her the message from the Redmoor College mother. ‘It can’t be coincidence that she’s turned up and now Jenna is missing.’
Bevan rests her pen on her pad. ‘I know it’s difficult, but we should try not to make assumptions.’
I feel tears start to form. ‘We’re wasting time. She’s taken my daughter. Please, will you send someone to talk to her?’
I explain about losing my job out of the blue, the stolen credit card, the deep, angry scratch along the side of my car. I tell her about the photograph of Dan and she asks to see it but I have to admit I threw it away.
Bevan sips her coffee. ‘Where did you say your husband was, and when is he getting home?’
‘He’s been in Exeter. He should be home in an hour or so.’
She studies my face. ‘Any idea who this woman might be?’
I shake my head.
‘And you think it’s true – he’s having an affair?’
‘They were having sex.’ I clench my fists.
