Chapter 14
Poppy promised herself she wouldn’t overreact.
Keira was impulsive and always had been.
It was quite possible she had gone out for a walk or even to Knossos.
She had been keen to go. Poppy less so. So maybe Keira had decided to go without her.
There were a dozen harmless explanations and Poppy clung to each one in turn, trying to ignore that none of them explained why her clothes and suitcase had gone.
She placed the groceries on the counter but didn’t pack them away. Instead, she made herself another coffee and told herself to be patient. But as time ticked by, she grew more antsy, her eyes drifting back towards the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
Why was Keira’s wardrobe empty? Where was all her stuff?
And even though she knew the phone signal could be a bit patchy, the undelivered WhatsApp message bothered her too.
She checked her phone again, just in case the status had changed, but no, there was still only one tick.
A small knot tightened in her chest.
For a moment, she considered calling Tom. He was the one person, aside from Keira, who she spoke to most and he was someone she trusted.
But just as quickly as she’d had the thought, she dismissed it. He had enough going on without having to worry about her drama.
Besides, this would all look ridiculous if Keira walked back through the door in five minutes, carrying pastries and complaining about walking back up the slope.
Poppy forced herself to breathe slowly.
Give it another hour.
She moved around the villa, tidying things that didn’t need tidying, checking the terrace repeatedly, as if Keira might suddenly appear. There was no way she could settle down to work. She would never be able to concentrate.
Knowing she had to do something, but unsure what, she picked up her phone again and after checking – again – that Keira hadn’t received her message, she scrolled to another name.
Jem.
It was unlikely he would be able to help, but still it was worth asking.
I don’t suppose you’ve seen Keira this morning?
She stared at the words for a second before pressing send.
Jem’s reply came a few minutes later.
No, I haven’t. Everything OK?
Poppy hesitated.
I honestly don’t know. I went out earlier when she was still asleep, but now I’m back and she’s nowhere to be found.
Maybe she went out for a walk.
Which is what Poppy kept telling herself. The problem was, the more time that passed, the less she believed it.
All of her stuff has gone. Her clothes, her suitcase.
Poppy wanted to type more, to share her concerns, but she didn’t want Jem to think she was overreacting.
You’re sure?
Of course I’m sure!
Dots appeared, bouncing as Jem typed. Then they paused briefly before appearing again.
His reply popped up.
Are you saying she might have gone home?
No, she wasn’t saying that. But was it wishful thinking? Trying to convince herself. Because the absence of Keira’s things did point to that being the most rational explanation.
I don’t know what to think. She’s not answering my calls or messages.
Poppy fought against the tiny bubble of hysteria that had lodged itself in her throat.
Is there any reason why she would have left without saying where she was going? Did you have a fight or anything?
No!
Her abrupt response had perhaps shocked him, because although the blue ticks appeared instantly, no reply was forthcoming.
Poppy waited a couple of minutes, nausea stirring in her gut. It wasn’t his fault that Keira had vanished. She shouldn’t be taking it out on him.
Guiltily, she started to type an apology.
Before she could press send, though, another message from Jem came through.
Do you want me to check if Sue and Ian have seen her?
She hesitated, only for a second.
Yes, please. And thank you.
The wait was longer this time, and Poppy wandered out onto the terrace, staring at the empty sun lounger Keira had been using, then at the swimming pool. In the distance, she could see the shimmering blue of the sea.
‘Where the hell are you, Keira?’
A short while later, her phone rang.
It was Jem.
‘Hello?’
‘Hey, it’s me. I thought it would be easier calling than sending messages.’
‘Did you speak to Sue and Ian?’ she asked, cutting straight to the point.
‘Yes, I’ve just come from theirs. Neither of them has seen Keira, but Sue says a taxi passed her when she was out for her walk this morning. It came from your direction, so she thought she’d best mention it.’
‘A taxi,’ she repeated. Was it possible that Keira really had gone home? It would explain why all her stuff had gone.
Although her shoulders loosened a fraction, it still disappointed her that her friend hadn’t said anything. She could have at least left a note. Surely she would realise Poppy would worry.
‘It might have been her or it might not,’ Jem continued. ‘But the roads are quiet this time of year. I’m sure either way she will be in touch soon to let you know what’s going on.’
Poppy hoped so, frustrated that there was nothing else she could do but wait.
And what if Jem was wrong? What if she didn’t hear from Keira?
‘Perhaps I should report her as missing,’ she mused out loud.
Jem hesitated before replying. ‘You don’t know that she is missing yet, Poppy. It might be that she’s headed off out somewhere or that she’s had to get an emergency flight home. I think you need to allow her a little time to get in touch before you go running to the police.’
‘But she hasn’t even seen the WhatsApp message I sent her!’
‘If she’s in the air, she won’t have,’ he gently pointed out.
‘I guess.’ Poppy still didn’t like it. Keira was spontaneous, but this behaviour was still out of character for her.
‘Look, give it a couple more hours,’ Jem suggested. ‘If you haven’t heard from her by late afternoon, then I’ll take you to the police station myself. Deal?’
Poppy hesitated. She could wait a little bit longer, she guessed.
‘Okay. Deal.’
Keira’s message came through mid-afternoon.
Poppy had packed her groceries away, made some lunch – which she had no appetite for – and attempted to lose herself in a book. It didn’t work, though, and she barely made it through two pages, far too distracted to focus on the words.
When her phone vibrated, she snatched it up.
A WhatsApp notification.
Keira.
Her heart jumped as she opened it.
There’s been an emergency and I’ve had to get a flight home. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything later. Please don’t worry. xx
Relief rushed through Poppy, fast and dizzying. Keira was okay.
Though what had happened for her to have to rush home without saying goodbye?
Was it Greg or her parents?
Poppy quickly messaged back.
I understand. Please just tell me everyone is okay. xx
She waited for the message to be delivered, but as before, only the one tick was on the screen. The second one never appeared.