Chapter 61
BETH
I sit in the living room, staring blankly at the TV, scratching my arm.
The itching is worse than ever today. Hattie is watching some random interview on This Morning, but I’m too lost in my thoughts to pay attention.
Justin is in the kitchen working on his laptop.
The further he stays away from me, the better.
I turn to a car pulling into the driveway.
Strange. People rarely come here any more.
Justin prefers it that way. So to the best of my knowledge, we’re not expecting anyone.
I get up and walk over to the window. The doors of the car open.
A smartly dressed man in a navy suit steps out of the driver’s door, and an equally smart young woman climbs out of the passenger side.
The man makes a comment. She nods, and they walk towards the front door.
‘I’m just going to the toilet, Hattie,’ I say and make my way through to the kitchen. Blue rises from his bed and stretches. ‘We have visitors,’ I say. ‘Man and a woman. Suited and booted. Official looking. Who are they?’
A rap on the front door startles us both, although we should’ve been expecting it.
Blue barks and hurries out of the room. Justin rises from his stool, the crease on his forehead deepening. ‘Leave this to me.’
I can’t leave him to it. I follow him, loitering by the stairs. He catches Blue’s collar and opens the door. ‘Hello, can I help you?’ he says, gushing with his usual charm.
‘Morning, sir. I’m DS Porter, and this is DC Wiggins.’ They wave identity cards in Justin’s face.
Good grief. It’s the police.
‘I wonder if you could spare a few moments?’ the officer says.
‘What about?’ Justin asks, restraining Blue.
‘We’re investigating a missing person, and we’d like to have a quick word with you,’ the DS says.
I turn, my heart racing.
Missing person!
‘It shouldn’t take too long. Could we come in?’ The DS doesn’t wait for an invite. Placing his police badge in his inside jacket pocket, he casually crosses the threshold as if he lives here.
His colleague follows. She strokes Blue’s fur. ‘You’re a beauty.’
I follow them as Justin leads the officers back to the kitchen, trying to work out how they’ve landed here. The stress of the situation has amplified the itching. It’s hell. I can’t stop scratching my arms.
‘I’m about to head to London,’ Justin lies.
He glances at his watch. ‘But yes, I’m happy to chat.
’ He plays it cool – it’s not hard for him – and offers them a drink.
Playing the smarmy schmoozer I’m used to.
‘I’ve got some homemade lemonade on the go.
Would you like a glass? So refreshing on a day like this. ’
‘Sounds grand, but no, thank you,’ the DS replies. ‘I’d just like to say, my sister, she’s a massive fan of yours. Inspirational, you are, she says.’
Justin’s face lights up.
DC Wiggins is kneeling, making a fuss of Blue.
Hattie shuffles through the door. ‘Who are these two fine-looking people?’
‘It’s OK, Mum,’ Justin says, lightly, as if he’s at work talking to a bunch of his worshippers. ‘They won’t be here long.’
‘Just go back to your programme, Hattie,’ I say, too quickly. ‘I’ll join you soon.’
Justin mouths something about her condition to the officers as he turns his mother around and firmly leads her towards the door.
DC Wiggins nods at the DS. ‘It’s fine, Justin.’ She takes control. ‘Come with me, Hattie. I’ll watch TV with you.’ Blue follows them out of the room.
Justin steps back, his lips tight.
The DC escorts Hattie out of the room before she can object. Her light-hearted voice fades along the hallway. ‘So what were you watching?’
The DS continues. ‘Won’t keep you long. This is purely procedural, Justin. Can I call you Justin?’
My husband is thinking the same as me. How come they know his name? ‘Sure. And this is Beth, my wife.’
The DS acknowledges me with a curt nod.
I take a seat at the breakfast bar.
‘So what’s this about?’ Justin asks.
‘We’re looking into the possible disappearance of a young woman named Scarlett Parker.’
Justin doesn’t even flinch. ‘I’ve never heard of anyone with that name.’
‘It may be something or nothing, but we believe she may be of interest to your organisation. I’m sure you understand, we need to cover all bases.
’ He pauses. ‘You know what? I will have that lemonade.’ The DS continues to show Justin a degree of reverence.
‘My sister has been to a few of your gigs. Is that what you call them? Anyhow, she’s spreading the word.
Trying to get her friends along.’ He’s playing up to his ego.
‘Marvellous work you’re doing.’ He’s reeling him in.
Justin is biting. He can’t resist it. ‘I’m glad to hear it and thank you.’ He hands the DS the glass of lemonade.
The DS puts the glass on the kitchen table. He taps his foot, looking from one to the other of us. He pulls out a photo from his suit pocket. He shows it to Justin. ‘If you wouldn’t mind taking a look at this.’
There’s a flicker in Justin’s eye.
‘Have you ever seen this woman, Justin?’ the DS asks.
Justin shakes his head. ‘Who is this?’
‘Scarlett Parker, the woman we’re looking for.’
‘Never seen her before. Never heard of anyone with that name. Sorry we can’t help you more.’
The DS turns the photo to me. ‘Beth, do you recognise this young woman?’
My pulse quickens as I stare at the photo.
It’s Immy.
And I look the officer in the eye and I lie.