‘You’ll dehydrate.’
Better than getting stabbed. ‘I drink plenty of lemonade.’
‘Water’s far better for you than fizzy drinks.’
‘That’s what Mum says, but the water tastes yuck out of the tap, and Mum thinks bottled water’s a waste of money.’
‘Why don’t you buy your own water?’
‘I’m saving up.’
‘What for?’
‘In case I ever meet a nice girl.’
‘Sensible.’
Mathew sighed. ‘I doubt it’ll ever happen, though.’
‘Course it will. There’re loads of girls who’d be lucky to have you as a boyfriend.’
‘Do you reckon?’
‘Definitely. You just have to be patient and wait for the right one to come along. Do you want a glass of water?’
‘Okay.’
Gareth poured a bottle of Perrier into a glass. He added ice from a dispenser built into the large, silver American-style fridge, and placed it on the table in front of his brother. ‘So, what’s all this stuff about birds?’
Mathew told him everything. From seeing the bird in the house after feeding Tortilla, to walking along the Bunky Line to the farmhouse to look for the little girl. ‘And now the girl with the startled eyes has gone missing.’
‘Whoa there, Mattie. You’re setting off before the starting pistol again. How do you know she’s missing?’
‘It said so on the radio.’
‘You sure it’s the same kid?’
Mathew bobbed his head. ‘Double sure. They even said what clothes she was wearing and everything.’
‘And you think Jim Bentley has got something to do with it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Just because he walked off in the same direction?’
Mathew nodded.
‘But he could have been going anywhere, Mattie. Meeting his girlfriend to take her home for tea. It doesn’t mean he’s done anything bad.’
‘He called me a retard. Said how come you’re normal and I’m stupid.’
‘Ignore him. He doesn’t know you like I do. Do you want me to have a word with him?’
Mathew considered the offer for a moment, then shook his head. It would only make matters worse. ‘I’d like to see him locked up in prison.’
‘Even if he’s done nothing wrong? You’ve got to be careful what you say in case it comes back on you.’
‘Like a boomerang?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Tortilla told me to tell Mum.’
‘Is that tortoise still alive? He must be at least a hundred by now.’
‘He’s thirty.’
‘Wow!’
‘Do you think I should tell Mum?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
Mathew tapped his leg. ‘What if the police ask me about the girl?’
‘Why would they?’
‘Because I was in the shop the same time as she was, and I told Mr Abbasi someone was going to die.’
‘Why the… why did you tell him that?’
‘Because of the blackbird.’
‘But the blackbird means nothing, mate. It’s just an old wives’ tale. Like throwing salt over your shoulder or not walking underneath ladders.’
‘That’s what Mum said. But now Jodie’s gone missing, and it’s all come true.’
‘It’s probably just a coincidence.’
‘Do you think so?’
Gareth nodded. ‘Absolutely. You go home and have a rest. Order a pizza for tea later to save Mum cooking. Then have a chat with her about it.’
‘Can’t I stay here until she comes home?’
Gareth shook his head. ‘Sorry, mate, I’m too busy today. If I get time tomorrow, I’ll come round and see you.’
‘Really?’
‘Scout’s honour. Now get outta here before I call the police.’
Mathew walked home in a slightly better mood than he’d left. For the first time since he’d seen the girl with the startled eyes being followed along St John’s Road by Jim Bentley, he felt everything would work out okay. All he had to do was tell the truth.
Or so he thought.
Chapter Seven
Alison hadn’t slept. Not even a five-minute doze in the chair. Her hair stuck out in wild clumps as if it was an extension of her mind. She opened the front door to a tall thin man who introduced himself as DS Palmer. Judging by the creases in his black suit, he looked as if he might have slept in it.
She invited him in. Asked if there was any news.
Palmer followed her into the lounge and folded himself into a dining chair. ‘Not as such. We’ve tried to contact Jodie by phone, but it was switched off at 6:47 p.m.’
Alison’s heart stalled. ‘Whereabouts?’
‘Somewhere on the Milton Park Industrial Site in Didcot.’
Alison’s eyebrows shot up. ‘How the hell did she get all the way out there?’
‘That’s what we’re trying to find out.’
‘But she wouldn’t just go off for no reason. She only went a few hundred yards up the road for milk.’
‘We think it’s possible she may have caught a bus.’
‘But why would she do that?’
Palmer had no answer to that. ‘We’re checking the CCTV footage from Thames Travel. And talking to local cabbies.’
Alison’s hands clutched at her top. ‘Someone’s snatched her. Someone’s taken by baby.’
‘I know why you might think that, Mrs Willis, but—’
‘I’m not married anymore. Willis is my maiden name.’
Palmer nodded. ‘Apologies. Does Jodie have a computer?’
‘No. Just her phone. We can’t afford more than the bare essentials at the moment.’
‘Do you own a computer?’
‘I’ve got a laptop. Why?’
‘It might be worth taking a look at it.’
‘What for?’
‘In case Jodie’s been using it.’
‘She doesn’t know the password.’
Palmer gave a weak smile. ‘Don’t underestimate kids. They can be a lot smarter than you think.’
‘But she wouldn’t do that. Not without my permission.’
‘Would you mind if I took the laptop away just to make sure?’
Alison shrugged. ‘I don’t care what you do as long as you find my daughter.’
‘Thank you. Have you had any fallouts with Jodie in the last few weeks?’
‘I already told the other copper I scolded Jodie for using my makeup, but it was something and nothing. There’s no way she’d have run off for something as trivial as that.’
‘Where’s Mr Stevens?’
‘Out looking for her.’
‘How long has he been living with you?’
‘Three years.’
‘Get on all right?’
‘Mostly.’
‘What about him and Jodie?’
‘To be honest, he doesn’t have that much to do with her. He lets me deal with her most of the time.’
‘We’ve been to your ex-husband’s house, but there appears to be no one home. Have you any idea where he might be?’