‘Are the neighbours in? Your mum. Is she home?’ Sally’s mother lives just two doors along in the little row of thatched cottages.
‘No, she’s out shopping. We’re the only ones home.’
‘Good. Good. Tell Amelie it’s a game. Take some toys to the summer house and wait for me there. Leave the doll and the box. Don’t touch it. OK? Go now. Right away.’
‘You’re scaring me, Matthew.’
‘I’m sorry, darling, but just do as I say. OK? It’s just a precaution. Playing safe. I’m on this. It’s going to be OK. I’m on my way to you. It’s going to be all right.’
There’s a pause. It sounds like Sally’s crying. Matthew badly needs to speak to Mel but can’t bear to ring off.
‘Is your phone well charged, Sal?’
He waits while she checks the screen.
‘Sixty per cent.’
‘Right. Stay on the line. Get Amelie and let me talk to her as you move outside. OK?’
‘OK.’
Matthew can hear Sally calling Amelie through, but she’s moved the phone away from her face. He can’t make everything out. There’s quite a pause and then at last he can hear his daughter’s voice in his ear.
‘Daddy. I got a doll but it’s broken. It’s not nice. I don’t like it.’
‘Yeah. Mummy told me. Don’t worry about that, princess. There’s been a mistake. It was the wrong doll sent to the wrong house. Isn’t that silly? We’ll get you a better doll. It’s a nice day so I’m going to finish work early and meet you in the summer house for a game.’
‘What game? I want to watch television.’
‘I’m going to let you choose the game but you need to be a good girl for Mummy, honey. Can you do that for Daddy? Be a good girl and wait in the summer house for me.’
‘All right. Mummy says we need to hurry. Will you be long, Daddy?’
‘No. I won’t be long, darling. Put Mummy back on.’
There’s a crackling noise and for a horrible moment Matthew fears his daughter has dropped the phone.
‘Sorry. Sorry. It’s me.’ Sally’s voice again. ‘We’re in the garden. Nearly there. How long will you be?’
‘Half an hour tops. I’ll get some people to come out. Check out the doll and the package. You need to ring off. Save your battery. You may hear sirens but that’s just to make sure no one goes near the house. This is going to be OK, Sally.’ He takes a deep breath. ‘I love you. I’m going to make this OK.’
‘OK.’
She rings off but he keeps the phone pressed to his ear. He wants to add that he’s going to work with Mel and he’s not going to rest – no bloody stone unturned – until he’s found the bastard who’s frightened his family . . .
How dare they. How dare they . . .
‘What’s happened, Matt?’ Mel has stepped forward, looking right into his face. ‘I overheard bits. You got a parcel too? At home?’
‘Yep. Some kind of doll. With blood. Nasty—’
‘But not a bomb? No explosives. Wires?’
‘Nothing obvious.’
‘Right. We play safe. There’s a package on Gemma Hartley’s ward too. Unopened. They’re sending in a sniffer dog first. They’re moving patients but it’s too difficult to move Gemma. Too near the package. Too dangerous.’
‘And what about her mother?’
‘She’s refusing to leave. She’s staying with Gemma.’
Matthew puts his hand to his mouth. ‘I have to go, Mel. I have to get home.’
‘Of course. I’ll get a team to your house too. Get going. I’ll ring you en route. I’m on this. It’s going to be all right, Matt.’
CHAPTER 23
Lemon
I’m tired of reading the platitudes in the paper. Telling everyone they’re safe. That it’s all OK. All in hand. Blah blah blah.
It’s a disgrace – lying to everyone. Tricking everyone.
Well, they can’t trick me . . .
I see. I know.
I found a cot mobile online. Delivered yesterday. It doesn’t have the tune I wanted but it’s the right colours – lemon and white – so I’m pleased. Things are looking nice and organised in here now.
I’ve set the mobile above the cot – high enough to be safe but low enough to be enjoyed. It soothes me to wind it up and sit in here a while to listen. As I say, it’s not the tune I would have chosen but it’s some kind of lullaby. Gentle. Sweet.