“Why don’t you go for a special guardianship order?” I’d been too familiar with social services when I was younger and living back home in the northeast. Friends of mine lived with their grandma, their mam too addicted to drugs and booze to take care of them, even though she’d always tried to get them back. We knew it was for the benefits she could claim though, if they lived with her.
Dee rubbed her face. “I might have to. But how would that make Toby feel?”
I shrugged. “Okay, now’s not the time to think about it, Sparkles. He’s safe with Genny, and I bet she does something fun with him.” I frowned. “I thought she was up here? How come she’s back in Manchester?”
Dee shook her head. “I didn’t ask. I thought she was meant to be here too. I’m just glad she isn’t.”
“Stick with that thought. Drinks are in thirty minutes. Best make yourself look less sweaty.” She didn’t look sweaty, but if there was one way to redirect that fierceness she was feeling, it was to poke the beast.
“I’ve already showered.”
The door slammed shut in my face.
I laughed. Loud enough for her to hear it.
CHAPTER10
Dee
I didn’t go outto the bar when Ryan, Rowan and Izzy left. I spoke to Genny again, Face-timed my nephew, and tried five times to call Joanne, only each time her phone was off. Voicemail wasn’t on either, and her social media profiles had gone.
There was always the chance something terrible had happened to her, that she’d gone out last night and someone had stopped her from coming home, but I didn’t believe that was the case. Joanne had Houdini level skills of escaping situations that didn’t suit what she wanted; I’d seen enough of them growing up.
There were a handful of her friends I had the numbers for, mainly girls she went to school with, or college for the few months she’d bothered to attend. Jami had been the person I’d called on a couple of occasions before, when Joanne had gone for just a night, or before Toby, a week. She was a year older than my sister, and had a child of her own. Jami’s house was Joanne’s go to place when she wanted ‘me time’, and if anyone knew and would tell me where my sister was, it would be Jami.
She answered on the third ring, her voice calm. “Hey, Dee Dee!” I heard a child laughing in the background.
“I’m sorry to bother you. I know I only call when I can’t get hold of Joanne.” I wished I made an effort to check in on Jami when I didn’t want something from her.
Jami laughed. “It’s okay. I don’t mind. But if you can ever get tickets to any of the matches for us, that would be fab.”
“Men’s or women’s?”
“Either. Both. I’d just like to take the boy to a live game. He loves it.”
“Consider it done.” It was the least I could do. “I’m trying to find my sister.”
There was an intake of breath from Jami, a sharp one. “She said you had told her to take a break and you’d look after Toby.”
“I’m in Scotland with the team. My friend’s had to pick up Toby. Joanne isn’t answering.” I didn’t need to explain any more.
“She’s seeing a man called Brody Markey. I don’t think he knows she’s got a kid. He’s got money – don’t know how he’s got money, but he’s flashy with it. He posted something on his social media with a photo, which definitely had Jo in it. I don’t think anyone’s kidnapped her.” There was a pause while her little boy asked for something. “Dee, report her missing to the police. If you haven’t heard from her in seventy-two hours, or when it’s been that long, make the report. And contact social services before they end up getting in touch with you. Because they will. Someone will drop Jo in it.” She said something away from the phone to her son. “Dee, if you need me to help out with Toby while you’re training, just text me.”
“Thank you.” I felt my shoulders relax some. I would’ve put money on Joanne being with a new boyfriend, but I felt better hearing it from someone else.
Five minutes later and I’d found Brody Markey on social media, sending the links to Genny. She had ways of watching people that I didn’t, and she’d check that Joanne was about. I had found his post that had someone in the background. It did look like Joanne.
Genny rang me while I was trying to do something with my hair to make it look less like someone who wasn’t bothered by stringy frizz.
“I know where she is. You want me to send someone round?” She was to the point and sharp.
I sat down on the bed. “Not yet. Give her a few days. If I go in heavy, she’ll end up being even more difficult. How’s Toby?” I was almost at the point of not bothering about Joanne, as long as Toby was okay.
“Fine. We had cheesy fish and potatoes for dinner; he’s watched a couple of cartoons and had a bath. I’ll take him to his holiday club tomorrow and pick him up after so you don’t need to spend the whole journey back worrying about getting back in time. Do you want me to get in touch with a nannying service?”
I hadn’t thought about the details. Toby’s holiday club would finish at four, and there would be some days this week when I wouldn’t be able to pick him up at that time. “Is there someone one of the players has used before?”
“There’s Megs Butler. She’s a childminder rather than a nanny, so you could drop him off with her and she’ll sort out his day until you can pick him up. She’s really good and the club keeps her on as staff.” Genny sounded as if she was doing at least two things at once, which was probably the case. I had no idea how she managed to keep every plate spinning.
