‘There are some lock-ups, up that hill.’ I point in the hope that she knows where I mean. ‘He took me and he took Natalie. She’s drugged and in the boot of a car.’
‘Who took you, Kate?’
I shrug and shake. ‘I don’t know. Whoever it was, they blindfolded me and I escaped out of a window. They took Millie just like they took Jess.’ The enormity of what I’ve just said makes my voice quiver until I can no longer hold back my sobs. The PC turns away from me and begins speaking through her radio.
I can’t see Damien or Rosie anywhere. I place my hand over my stomach and sob. I love my daughters. My legs give way and I fall to the ground.
Laura totters over in her high-heeled boots, splashing in puddles before she finally reaches me. ‘Kate! What happened to you?’
‘Please help me?’ I grab her and she helps me up. When I get to my feet, I almost fall over but she keeps me propped up. She takes off her thick coat and forces my stiff arms into it before doing it up, shielding me from the wind and rain.
‘Come here.’ She places her arms around me. ‘Everyone is out looking for Millie.’
‘Everyone was out looking for Jess and they never found her.’
‘We will find her.’
‘Someone kidnapped me and they have Millie.’ Tears flood my face and I can’t breathe. I hyperventilate. ‘I’m never going to see Millie again.’ My voice is quivering that much I wonder if she can understand what I’m saying.
I spot Damien as he comes around the corner gripping Rosie so hard, she’s almost being dragged along as she cries.
‘Damien!’ I leave Laura and hobble over to him. As I go to hug him, he steps back.
‘I came back to talk and look what’s happened. You leave the same man that lost your sister in charge of our children so you can put yourself in more danger. You lost Millie, Kate.’
‘Where is my dad?’
‘I, err, we had an argument.’
‘Where did he go?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘What did you say to him?’
‘What did you expect me to say? You lost my daughter, never mind. I can’t believe you left our children with him.’ Damien sighs. ‘I may have said a few things but all I want is to get Millie back. Forget him for now. Where the hell have you been all day?’
The reality hits me. Damien is right but that doesn’t stop my heart from aching to have my dad here. I can’t believe he didn’t stick around to help, despite how angry Damien must have seemed. Millie is missing. That’s all that should have mattered.
‘I…’ My legs give way and I lean on the wall of a shop. My head is spinning and the path is warped. I can’t breathe. The world is going black so I close my eyes before I pass out.
‘Kate.’ He steps over towards me and takes a hold of my bleeding hand. ‘What’s going on?’
I sit on the pavement, the water instantly soaking through to my bottom.
‘Mummy,’ Rosie cries as she hugs me.
I hug her like never before and I can’t stop the tears from falling.
‘Kate, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone off like that. We need to find Millie together. We will find her.’
‘Someone took me and now they have her.’
‘Who did?’
‘I don’t know,’ I shout. ‘Tell the police officer to find Cody.’
Damien takes Rosie and leaves me alone for a few seconds while he tries to get the PC’s attention. Laura comes back over and sits by me.
