Chapter 1 #3
Judith ascended. It wasn’t unheard of for Alice to be on her bed reading a book and oblivious to what was going on in the rest of the house.
Judith knocked on Alice’s closed bedroom door. There was no sound from within. She pushed down the handle and opened the door to reveal an empty room, the bed neatly made. Alice’s satchel, usually by her desk, was missing. She obviously hadn’t come home yet.
A loud crash of thunder from outside, the flash of lightning lighting up the room, caused Judith’s heart to sink. Surely Alice wasn’t still out in weather like this.
5:30pm
The front door slammed closed. Judith jumped up from her seat at the table in the kitchen and ran out into the hall.
‘Oh. It’s just you.’
‘I’ve had warmer welcomes,’ Geoff said, kicking off his work boots. ‘Have you seen the weather out there? It’s practically biblical.’
‘Is Alice with you?’
‘No. Why would she be?’
‘She hasn’t come home yet.’
‘What?’ he asked, looking concerned. ‘Surely she’s not still out in this.’
Judith wrapped her arms around herself, worry etched on her face. ‘She said she was going to the library after college and then coming straight home. She should have been back by three o’clock at the latest.’
‘Maybe she’s taking shelter in the library.’
‘I’ve called them. There’s no answer.’
‘Do you want me to go and have a drive round there?’
Judith’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘Would you?’
‘Of course.’ He slipped his feet back into his work boots. ‘I’ll be five minutes. Or maybe ten,’ he smiled as he left the house, closing the door firmly behind him.
Judith chewed her bottom lip and her frown deepened. She was struggling to hold back the tears. Alice wasn’t a fan of bad weather, or the dark. She’d be so scared out alone in weather like this.
6:10pm
The front door opened and slammed closed. Judith had been in the kitchen, keeping herself busy by making a start on the tea. She ran out into the hallway to find Geoff standing on the doormat. He was soaked from the storm, water dripping down his face.
‘Where is she?’ Judith asked, tears pricking her eyes.
He shook his head. ‘I went to the library, and it’s all closed up. I came back the long way by the Co-op and didn’t see a soul. I even got out of the van and went down that little alley by the pub to see if she was sheltering in the bus stop. There’s no sign of her.’
Judith’s bottom lip wobbled. ‘Oh no, Geoff, what if something’s happened to her? Should I call the police?’
Geoff thought for a moment. His face was expressionless. ‘I think you probably should.’
Judith picked up the receiver and dialled three nines. Her hand was shaking as she placed it to her ear.
‘Emergency, which service do you require?’ the caller asked.
‘Police, please.’
She was connected to the local station. It was answered after five rings.
‘North East Police,’ a tired voice said.
‘I think my daughter might be missing.’
‘You think?’
‘She hasn’t come home.’
‘How old is your daughter, madam?’
‘Eighteen.’
‘And how late is she?’
‘I don’t know. She’s always in when I come home from work. I’ve been back over an hour, and she isn’t here.’
Geoff moved from the mat, kicking off his boots, and went to stand by his wife. He put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
‘Have you tried calling her friends or other family members?’
‘There isn’t…’ Judith struggled. ‘There isn’t anyone for me to ring.’
‘Are you saying your daughter doesn’t have any friends, madam?’
‘She … she finds it difficult…’
‘Is there any reason you’re worried why your daughter hasn’t returned home?’
‘She’s Down’s syndrome. She has some mental disabilities. I’m just worried with the storm that she may have panicked and got into trouble.’
‘OK, madam. The storm is providing many problems for us this evening, but I will send someone over to you. Now, I must warn you, there may be a delay. I’m going to need to take some details.’
Judith began audibly sobbing. She crumpled into Geoff’s arms and almost dropped the phone receiver. He took it from her.
‘My name is Geoff Patterson. My wife … she’s…’
‘That’s understandable, sir. We will do everything we can to help.’
‘Thank you.’
As Geoff gave the police officer his address and a description of Alice, Judith pushed herself out of his embrace and went back into the kitchen.
She pulled out a chair and sat down. The tears were flowing, and they wouldn’t stop.
A flash of lightning caused her to look up at the window.
A crash of thunder so loud it shook the whole house made Judith scream with terror.
She wasn’t frightened of the storm; it was the thought of her only child out on her own.
She jumped up and ran into the hall, snatching her coat from the peg.
‘Can you hang on a moment?’ Geoff said into the phone. ‘Judith, what are you doing?’
‘I’m going out to look for her.’
‘In this?’
‘I can’t sit here and wait for the police. They said they’ll be delayed. I need to look for her.’
‘Judith, come back here right now.’
She ignored him. She was still putting her coat on as she slammed the door behind her.