“You’re my employer, Tommy. If that’s what you need from me, then of course.”
“You’re one in a million, Connie. Thank you.” I smile.
“Are we going to find Josh now, Daddy?” Ozzie asks, patting my shoulder.
“Yeah, we’re going, bud.”
Ray is waiting in the Audi. The front and back passenger doors open with the engine running, while Connie pokes her head out of the back door. “Ozzie’s car seat is all set and ready to go.”
“Thanks, Connie.” I’m about to get in the front when Ray tells me otherwise.
“You can’t sit there. It only takes one person to spot you and this safe haven of yours will be swamped with paparazzi. You’re better off in the back.”
“Fuck’s sake,” I say under my breath while Connie climbs into the front seat and I jump in next to Oz.
“Yay, Daddy. You’re sitting with me.”
“Yes, buddy. We’re going on an adventure together.”
The gates open and Ray flies out of the drive until we’re halfway down and he notices the amount of press standing in his way.How the hell did they find us?
Ray forces the car forward while cameras flash and journalists bang on the windows. I hold Ozzie’s hand while he scrunches up his face and tears spill down his cheeks. “I don’t like it, Daddy.”
“It’s okay, little man. They’re just playing a silly game.”
Eventually, Ray screeches away, and then the flashing lights can’t keep up with us.
After a twenty-minute drive to a few obvious places, we finally get word. Ray spins the car around.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“We’ve found her, Tommy.”
“Thank fuck,” I mouth so Oz doesn’t hear.
After ten minutes, we park outside the Braebeach Memorial Gardens. My heart sinks.
From where we’re parked, I already see Angie slumped on the grass, with Josh running around beside her.
Ray turns off the engine and I look across to find Oz almost asleep.
“I shouldn’t interrupt,” I say to Ray with a lowered voice.
“Don’t worry. She’s safe. Andrew is on the other side ofthe chapel, so if she needs anything, he can be there in seconds.”
“Thanks,” I answer, but inside, I’m rattled. It’s not Andrew who should be there for her. It should be me.
I open the car door. “Wait here.” I glance over at Connie. “Back in a sec.”
Connie smiles with concern as Ozzie wakes up when he hears my voice. I reach over and ruffle his white-blonde hair. “Back in a minute, okay?”
“Look, Daddy. Josh.”
Crap. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice. “I know. You wait here and I’ll be back soon, okay?”
“Okay. Get Josh, then we can play drums together.” The boys have made their own drums out of pots and pans. I’m impressed, but Angie wasn’t on board. I chuckle at the thought of her screwed-up face when she first heard them and how she tried to be enthusiastic.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” I say to Oz.
