I can draw Sulley and Mike. Jack likes Monsters Inc.,’ he said, climbing up on a chair.
Lizzie giggled knowing how much her son adored the film. ‘Of course he does. I’ll get you some paper to make a start. He’ll want one of each character you know.’
Yawning, Lizzie collected her phone as she uncovered Thierry’s colouring pencils and some fresh A4 sheets from her printer. She saw the text message from Cal. He’d obviously got his flight, and on time.
‘We’ll do just one now because Marie-Claire will have your breakfast ready and be taking you to nursery soon.’
After a quick shower, Lizzie arrived at Beauté Dedans and Sophie, her best friend and business partner, was just unlocking the door.
‘Morning, Soph. Aren’t you supposed to be at school today?’ Lizzie always called it school but Dr Sophie Pitou was not only the cosmetic surgeon at their new beauty clinic, she also lectured and continued research at the University two days a week.
Sophie hurled a shining smile. ‘Yes. I’m running late but I need to collect a few photographs of a client I worked on last week. It seems the procedure I carried out, based on my trials, of course, has caught some industry attention.’
‘What, in a good way?’ Lizzie held the door as Sophie dropped the keys in her bag.
Sophie grinned. ‘Yes. It’s quite exciting. I’ll show you quickly,’ she said racing up the stairs. ‘Won’t be a mo.’
Lizzie switched on the lights and immediately she saw her reflection in Betty, her cleaner’s, highly polished window and mirrors. The familiar freshly used cleaning products wafted to Lizzie’s nostrils as she placed her bag down on the chair behind the reception desk. She quickly checked Lucie’s call list just in case anyone needed contacting but couldn’t see anything particularly urgent.
‘I’ll be in the kitchen,’ she shouted up.
Sophie rushed in behind her as she poured hot water into a cup.
‘I took these in stages and it probably won’t mean much to you, but this was how I Pitou’d her.’
‘Ha! The Pitou method, your own.’ She peered at the photo, frowning. ‘Wow, no, it doesn’t quite make sense, but maybe when you get more time you can explain it.’
‘Anyway,’ Sophie flicked to the latest, ‘this is the photo the client selfie’d yesterday. I showed my professor who has been in touch with his associate in Los Angeles. I think he must have been up half the night. Apparently the guy is really impressed and has asked to see these.’
‘Oh Sophie, brilliant, well done.’
‘Thank you. Anyway, I’d better get going. Are you and Cal around later, a drink or something to eat?’
Lizzie shook her head as she placed the milk back in the fridge. ‘No. Well, I am. Cal’s flown over this morning to see Jack. Jack’s not happy and he’s gone to find out what it’s all about.’
Sophie pulled a face. ‘Ooh, hope it sorts itself out. Teenagers eh! Wouldn’t want to be back there.’
‘No, me neither,’ Lizzie said, leaning on the worktop and observing her friend.
Sophie tucked her photos into her bag and chewed on her lip. ‘Look, I know it’s early days, but I was thinking if I do have to go to the States, hopefully it wouldn’t be for long, but I wondered how you’d feel if I enlisted some help. I mean, I wouldn’t want to leave you high and dry and there’s a few really good people I know. I thought I should be prepared, just to keep everything ticking over.’
‘Proper little girl scout aren’t you? Fine, yes. If you feel they are up to your standard.’
‘Of course. I’m not saying it would come to that but…’
‘Go, you’ll be late.’ Lizzie stepped forward and hugged her friend. ‘Sounds exciting. I hope it goes well.’
‘Good. I’ll speak to Angus today, just prime him.’
‘Angus, a man?’
Cal paced anxiously at the back of the boarding hall sipping yet another coffee. The flight to Boston had been long. What hadn’t gone through his head the last few hours? He was dizzy through lack of sleep but that hour he had dozed off had made him feel even worse. Now he’d been waiting another hour he swore he would lose his mind. He just wanted to see his son. Ensure he was safe. The frustration was his phone had lost power and needed charging. In his panic he’d taken it off charge and forgotten to recharge. Finally, the doors opened and he boarded the next flight to Nantucket. Jack would soon be home from school.
He let out a sigh of relief as the taxi turned into Main Street and pulled up outside Jack’s home. Kelly and Reuben owned a traditional New England, grey-shingled house fronted by the obligatory white picket fence and, although built only seven years, it blended well with the seventeenth-century properties lining Main Street. The driver edged to the kerb just missing one of numerous elm trees still naked of any buds.
‘Thanks,’ he said handing the driver a twenty dollar note.
Kelly pulled back the door just as he rang the bell. Immediately panic struck him. The girl he once loved was red-eyed and bare of her usual make-up. She heaved deeply before choking out the words.
‘Jack hasn’t come home, I don’t know where…’ Her voice broke away as she sobbed.
Any blood that was left in his cheeks was now sapped right out. Cal swallowed hard, blinking back tears. ‘Kelly, why didn’t you collect him last night?’
‘I was alone here with the kids. Reuben was still in New York. He’s on a flight home now. But, Jack often walks or cycles back on his own. It’s just along the road.’
‘Christ.’ Cal rubbed his forehead. ‘So where had he been? When was he last seen and where? Have you searched the house, the garage, the garden?’
‘Hell, yeah,’ Kelly snapped rubbing her eyes and nose, then standing back she ushered him in. He followed blindly, waiting for her response. His instinct was to run through the house and rip up every piece of pristine furniture and every door and every wardrobe – anywhere he could to check she hadn’t missed something. ‘Have you checked the loft?’
‘Yeah, attic, summerhouse. Maria’s been here checking too,’ she said wiping a tissue under her nose. ‘Brett says they were at the harbour last night. He said they began walking back about ten. Brett went straight home. He was sure Jack wasn’t in any trouble. I’d waited, well, I thought, no wait until ten-thirty, but when he still wasn’t in, I rang Maria just after. She and Bob came up and from what I gather Bob has been out all night with some of the others. They took the boat out to scour the coast and beaches. No one has reported a boat missing, so it’s, well, who knows? I rang the police, they are looking.’
‘Fuck. I need to put my phone on charge. I need to check my messages and emails.’
Kelly raced to the kitchen and pulled a plug
