‘He’s right, though. I am a horrible mother. It’s no wonder he ran away.’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ said Cass. ‘None of this is your fault. Marion put you in an impossible situation. You were doing what you thought was right for your son.’
‘But now he’s missing. What if he… what if he…’
I collapsed, sobbing into Cass’s arms. She stroked my hair, holding my trembling body tight until I could breathe again. I jumped as my phone vibrated in my pocket.
‘Is it Rob?’
‘No, it’s not.’ I answered the call. ‘Pat?’
‘Liv, hello. I’m calling because we have something which belongs to you. I assume you’re looking for your son?’
Chapter Forty-Eight
‘Bertie’s with you?’
‘Yes,’ said Pat. ‘He arrived ten minutes ago. Beryl found him.’
‘Found him where?’
‘Outside the shop. It seems he stole your husband’s bank card and got himself on a train to Liskeard last night. I’m surprised they let an unaccompanied minor travel by himself, but I suppose it was late, so perhaps there weren’t that many staff around to notice.’
‘How did he get to the village from Liskeard?’
‘Walked. All night. The poor chap’s exhausted. We’ve given him something to eat and drink and put him to bed. I suspect he’ll be out for the count for a while, so there’s no need to rush over here.’
‘Thank you for calling, Pat, and for looking after Bertie. I’m leaving now.’
‘You found him?’ asked Cass when I put down the phone.
‘Yes, he’s at Lowen Farm. I’m going over there now.’
‘I’ll come with you.’
‘No, Cass, you’ve only had an hour’s sleep since getting in from work. This is something I need to do alone.’
I made a call to Rob to let him know Bertie was safe, then set off through the busy city streets. I bashed the steering wheel in frustration as the car crawled along. Eventually, I’d reached the outskirts of the city and could pick up the pace. An hour and a half after leaving Cass’s house, I pulled onto the track leading to Lowen Farm.
It was with a mix of emotions that I drove along the uneven track, the car jolting each time I went over a pothole. I’d not expected to see the farm again, and my stomach churned with nerves, shame and excitement. As traumatic as the morning had been, and as worried as I was about facing everyone after leaving them in the lurch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was going home.
The farmhouse came into view, and I slowed my speed. What kind of welcome would greet me? Would Bertie even speak to me? Was he all right? The thought of him walking all night alone in the dark horrified me. How had I not noticed him sneaking out of the house?
The front door of the farmhouse opened, and Harry stepped out. She wore her usual shorts and tank top, but her hair hung in a long braided rope down her back. The sight of her caused my breath to catch, and I pinched myself to distract from the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
I climbed out of the car and leaned against the door. Harry folded her arms, then her face spread into a wide smile, and she ran towards me, her hair swinging behind her. She flung herself at me, wrapping me in her arms and rocking me back and forth.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ she said.
I couldn’t answer, the lump in my throat blocking the words.
Harry stepped back and held me at arm’s length. ‘God, Liv. You look awful.’
My laugh came out as a choke. ‘Thanks. And thanks for the warm welcome. I wasn’t sure you’d be very pleased to see me. Is Bertie OK?’
‘Bertie’s fine. I’ve just been up to check on him and he’s fast asleep. Now, I’m sure you’re desperate to go to him, but what he really needs is rest. And we’d like to talk to you.’
‘We?’
