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‘Father,’ says Tristan, ‘are you sure this is necessary?’
They stare at each other.
‘No, a reasonable man is never one hundred per cent sure. But no one in this room has had a chance to gather their thoughts before this invasion began, let alone consult legal counsel. I’ve let them search the farm. I don’t believe any further incursions are necessary.’
Tristan throws up his hands and I look over at Ash and Ava. Where are their phones in any case? It’s strange to see them without them glued to their hands.
‘Ash? Ava?’ I say.
Father straightens an ornament on the mantelpiece. ‘I don’t intend to be obstructive, Frances. If there were something useful on those phones, your niece and nephew would have told us. This upheaval is not required. Frankly, I’m not sure the twins know how to live without them.’
Except they knew Jenna was being bullied and they didn’t say. What else are they hiding?
‘Mr Beaufort-Bradley,’ says Bevan. ‘The proper procedure is for everyone to cooperate.’
‘They can have my phone,’ says Ava, tears slipping down her cheeks. Something seems to have shifted in her.
‘It’s not your phone,’ my father snaps. ‘Not everyone here controls a multinational company, or is involved in running this country. I very much want my granddaughter home as quickly as possible, but I have more to consider than any one of you can imagine.’
Meet my father: David Beaufort-Bradley MBE. The most important thing in the room. Always.
Bevan smiles. Croft coughs.
Father turns to me. ‘Dear girl,’ he says, ‘we will find Jenna. But there are ways of doing things.’
My eyes fill and I barely know I’m going to ask the question before I blurt it out. ‘Do you know where Jenna is?’
He stares and I know that no one outside of this family can see the mounting waves of fury crashing beneath his surface.
Why did I say that? He doesn’t know. He’s being difficult because he doesn’t like being bossed around; to punish me for not letting him control the situation. And it is his farm.
‘I believe you’re done for now,’ my father says to Bevan.
She looks at her fingers, spread out on the table. ‘I’d like to send a family liaison?—’
‘No,’ says Father.
Bevan nods. ‘May I take it your name is the only one on the deeds to this property?’
‘There is nothing within the grounds of Shorthorn Lodge that I don’t own,’ he says.
I’m about to object. But of course I know what he means. His name is on all contracts that matter, including the ones for our souls.
41
NOW
‘Right, then.’ Croft downs a glass of water, getting ready to leave. Bevan’s phone rings again. She takes it into the hall.
Tristan is uncharacteristically helping Mina dry the dishes. Father stands by the window, hands behind his back. Mother sits at the table. Theo is on his phone at the other end. I feel bad that he’s been caught up in this. This family is just his job.
God – where is Jenna now? Is she hurt? My heart thuds and I cover my face.
Bevan comes back in. Eyes on her notepad, she tells us she’ll be our point of contact and that we mustn’t disturb areas of the house where Jenna spends most of her time.
I can’t stop looking at Ava, sitting opposite me in the armchair with the high green back, clasping her hands and looking into the fire. Ash perches next to her, watching the top of her head.
They knew Jenna was being bullied and didn’t say. Not just a few hours ago when questioned by the police. Not earlier today when I asked about Jenna’s friends. Not any time in the past year when they knew their cousin was suffering.
