‘It’s unlikely there’s been an accident, or we’d have heard about it …’ She hesitates for a moment. ‘Are there any family members nearby? Siblings – or close friends?’
‘No. His parents are in Scotland. He’s an only child.’
‘Have you spoken to them?’
‘I tried calling them, but the line was dead. Matt must have accidentally written down the wrong number.’
‘Do you have their address?’
Frowning, I try to think. ‘Only their email address. It’s how we sent out our wedding invitations.’ I pause, remembering querying Matt about whether his parents would prefer a printed invitation and his amusement when he told me about how his dad was more tech-savvy than even he was.
‘Perhaps you could email them? See when they last heard from him?’ She’s silent for a moment. ‘I’m sorry, but I have to ask this. It may sound far-fetched, but do you think there’s any possibility he’s keeping anything from you? Financial worries or anything like that?’
‘No.’ Indignant at what she’s suggesting, my face grows hot. ‘Matt wouldn’t get involved in anything irresponsible. We’re getting married in two weeks. We don’t keep secrets from each other.’
‘Of course.’ Her voice is crisp. ‘Well, we have what we need for now. Perhaps we can talk again later on.’
I clutch my phone tightly. ‘Do you think you’ll find him? I mean, what usually happens?’ Futile questions, impossible for her to answer, as I seek a reassurance that doesn’t exist.
‘In most cases, missing persons turn up; a day, sometimes a week later, sometimes longer than that.’ Her voice is matter of fact. ‘It’s early days, Ms Reid. There’s no point worrying too much. Not just yet.’
Her words do little to set my mind at rest. After ending the call, I sit there, my mind a million miles away as I consider every possible scenario. Then I imagine her thinking I’m naïve, that no-one ever thinks their partner would deceive them – until it happens.
Firing up my laptop, I open our wedding file, copying Matt’s parents’ email address, staring at the screen while I work out what to write.
I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but I wondered when you last spoke to Matt? I haven’t been able to contact him for a couple of days. Actually, to be honest, I’m really worried …
Deleting the last line, I add something about how much I’m looking forward to meeting them at the wedding, then press send. While I wait for a response, I email the photo of Matt to PC Page. Then suddenly needing to hear Jess’s voice, I send her a WhatsApp.How are you Jess? Can you give me a quick call when you have time? Xxx
Ten minutes later, she calls me. ‘Mum? Is everything OK?’
‘Not really.’ Then I take a deep breath. ‘I don’t know where Matt is, Jess. I haven’t been able to contact him.’
‘What d’you mean?’ She sounds alarmed. ‘Since when?’
My voice wobbles. ‘Yesterday morning. I had this really odd call from him saying he would be late because his boss had asked him to take a client out, and that was the last I heard from him.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Her voice is sharp.
‘I didn’t want to worry you. I was hoping he’d just reappear with an explanation. I’ve been in touch with the police. They may want to talk to you at some point – if he doesn’t turn up. At the moment, I’m still hoping he will …’ Breaking off, I swallow the lump in my throat.
‘Mum, people don’t just disappear … Something must have happened to him. The police will find him, won’t they? But are you OK?’ Her voice is suddenly anxious. ‘I can come home. I’ll get a train. I can leave later – or first thing tomorrow …’
‘Please don’t, Jess. There’s nothing you can do – and you’re coming back in just over a week for our wedding, anyway.’
‘But if he doesn’t …’
Knowing what she’s about to say, about the wedding, I interrupt. ‘I’m taking each day at a time.’ I try to keep my voicelevel, because right now, I can’t think that far ahead. ‘It’s the only way.’ Though I want her here more than anything, she has to think of her coursework. And the moment she comes home, in my mind at least, everything escalates.
After forcing a promise from me to keep her updated, she reluctantly agrees to stay where she is – at least for now. But her unspoken words hang in the air. Less than a fortnight away, ever since we decided on a date, our wedding has filled my head. For a moment, I allow my mind to linger: on my beautiful dress, my vows, everyone important to me in one place. But instead of Matt beside me, I imagine an empty space, as I feel myself shiver. I never thought the day would come I’d have to think about cancelling it.
As I sit there, a knock on the door makes me jump. Getting up, I go to answer it, but when I see Cath’s face pressed against the glass, my heart sinks.
‘I brought lunch!’ As I open the door, she holds up a brown paper carrier bag from the farm shop she would have driven past on her way here. ‘This too.’ She holds up a bottle of champagne. ‘I thought we’d celebrate – your up and coming nuptials and my escape from Oliver. If you’re not too busy?’ She hesitates, frowning as she stares at me. ‘What’s going on?’
I shake my head. ‘Sorry, I’d completely forgotten you were coming. Can we do this some other time?’ It isn’t that I don’t want to see her, but today, I don’t have the capacity to listen to her problems or buoy her up. Until I find out where Matt is, there isn’t space in my mind for anything else.
‘What’s happened? Is Jess OK?’ Cath stands there. ‘Amy, you’re worrying me.’
