Chapter 42
‘Where’s Holly?’ I shriek.
‘Jeez, Kate, calm down. She’s here, but she doesn’t want to talk to you.’
‘What?’ I’m on my feet. ‘Put Holly on. Right now. Or I’m coming over to get her.’
‘Didn’t you hear what I just said? She doesn’t want to talk to you.’
‘Put Holly on or I’m calling the police!’ I shout.
‘Oh, all right. Holly? It’s Kate. She really wants to talk to you. Come on, sweetie. Be nice.’
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
Finally, Holly comes to the phone. ‘What do you want?’
‘What’s the matter with you? Why are you still over there?’
‘Because I feel like it.’
I blink. My heart is in my throat. ‘I’m coming to get you.’
‘Don’t do that. I’m staying at Teri’s house. She said I could stay the night.’
‘I don’t know what’s going on,’ I hiss into the phone, ‘and I don’t know if she’s listening, but I’m coming to get you.’
‘Sorry, Kate. But for your information, I’m sixteen years old, almost seventeen. I want to stay at Teri’s house tonight, and she said it was okay.’
‘That is out of the question! I’m coming to get you.’
‘Why? You don’t care about me. You were leaving, remember? You lie about everything, Kate.’
I gasp. ‘But we’ve been through this, Holly. What are you doing?’
‘I’m not doing anything.’
‘Holly!’
‘Why are you yelling?’ she says.
I take a breath. ‘I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m coming over right now.’
‘Yeah, okay. Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.’
And then she hangs up.
I stare at the phone. I can’t believe this is happening. I grab my keys, run to Teri’s house and pound on the door with my fists.
There’s no answer. I leave my finger on the doorbell. It’s one of those old-style doorbells that just keeps ringing. But the door remains as shut as a tomb.
I take a step back and look up. Everything looks quiet. I run down the side and peer over the gate into the garden, but there’s no one there.
‘Holly! Holly!’ Still no answer.
I ring the doorbell again. I bang on the door. No answer.
‘Holly! I’m calling the police!’ I shout through the letterbox.
‘Is everything all right?’
I turn around. It’s Mrs Buckley walking her poodles.
‘Yes, thank you. Everything is fine.’
She looks up at the house. ‘I don’t think anyone’s home.’
‘I’ll just try once more,’ I say. And as I turn to pound the door again, it opens.
‘Jesus, Kate! Calm down!’ Teri says.
I turn around. Mrs Buckley moves on, throwing looks over her shoulder.
Turning back to Teri, I demand, ‘Let me in.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Let me in, Teri!’ She doesn’t budge. I crane my neck. ‘Holly!?’
‘She doesn’t want to talk to you; we told you already. I don’t know what else to say.’
I push her with both hands, but she’s taller and fitter than me and she still doesn’t budge. I point my finger in her face. ‘She’s coming home with me. Right now. Is that clear?’
She shakes her head, like I’m the saddest thing she’s ever seen. Then she turns around. ‘Holly? I think you need to talk to Kate. She won’t leave.’
And then I see Holly up the stairs looking down at me. She looks so different. She’s wearing full makeup again, even more of it this time, and clothes I’ve never seen before: a black and white checked skirt, black boots and a dark green shirt with white roses.
I point my finger at her. My hand is shaking. ‘Holly, I mean this. You come home right now.’
‘I don’t want to. You’re scaring me.’
‘Scaring you? That’s ridiculous!’
‘I’m sorry, Kate,’ Teri says softly. ‘I don’t know what to say. She doesn’t want to see you, and I have to respect her wishes.’ She closes the door.
I hammer on it again, but the door remains closed. I call Holly’s name until my voice is hoarse. The door stays shut.
I run home and grab my phone. I hope I’m not going to regret this, but right now, I have no choice.
I call 999.
‘My name is Kate Price. My stepdaughter has been kidnapped.’