‘Here.’ Natalie pointed down a back row of houses.
‘Millie, Rosie.’ Kate’s dad turned around and charged through a group of kids, before running. ‘Rosie!’
Natalie jogged after the man, back along the street as he called and called for his grandchildren. When they turned the corner Rosie was sitting on the kerb, her hands over her face while a woman was kneeling and giving her an ice cream.
‘Rosie.’ He grabbed the little girl, lifting her up and hugging her close. ‘I’m so sorry I left you. Where’s Millie?’
Tears poured from the scared little girl’s eyes as she pointed to the shop with the shells in the window. ‘We were looking at shells.’ The ice cream was starting to melt down her hand.
‘Is she okay?’ the woman asked. ‘I saw her alone and crying so I gave her my ice cream.’
‘Have you seen another little girl? They look alike. She was with her sister, Millie.’
The woman shook her head. ‘No, she was alone.’
With Rosie in his arms, Kate’s dad ran across the road and barged into the shop.
Natalie followed. ‘Have you seen a little girl?’
Kate’s dad added. ‘She has reddish brown hair, four years old?’
The shopkeeper lowered his spectacles and shook his head. Natalie stayed by the door, holding it open. Her heart sank. First Kate and now little Millie.
Kate’s dad pushed his way behind the counter, nudging the shopkeeper aside as he shouted Millie’s name. He placed Rosie on the floor and after searching, they left.
Outside Rosie’s cries caught everyone’s attention. She tugged on Natalie’s top and held up her empty ice cream cone.
‘We’ll get you another one in awhile, sweetheart,’ Natalie said.
Natalie grabbed her phone to call the police but her hands were uncontrollably shaking. ‘Someone help us. Someone call the police.’
Kate’s dad held his hand up as he held his phone to his ear. ‘Police, you have to hurry. My granddaughter is missing as well as my daughter.’ Kate’s dad relayed their current location to the police. ‘Yes, we’ll stay here until you arrive. Please hurry.’ The man gripped his crying granddaughter as he leaned against the wall of the shop, looking like a man who’d given up hope.
Natalie stepped a little closer to him. ‘Are the police on their way?’
The man nodded as he kissed the child’s head. ‘I lost her and I lost Jess.’ Tears began to slip down his face and he hiccupped a sob. ‘I’ve let Kate down. She will never forgive me for this.’
Natalie stood in front of him and looked straight into his eyes. ‘This was not your fault and we are going to find Millie. I promise.’
‘She’s gone.’ He shook his head and gripped Rosie’s hand.
‘I’m scared, Grandad. I want Millie.’ The little girl began to sob.
‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,’ the man kept muttering as he held the distraught child.
Natalie wiped a tear away and took a few deep breaths until the trembling subsided. Time was of the essence and she didn’t want to waste a second. ‘I’ll carry on looking. Can I put my number in your phone?’ She held out her hand.
Kate’s dad handed his phone over.
‘What’s your name by the way?’
‘Harry.’
‘I’m going to head to Laura’s shop, see if Kate has been there today.’
‘Thank you.’
‘It’s called Laura’s Treasure Trove. After that, I’ll come straight back.’
