‘I couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true.’ Juliette explained what had happened the day she’d met Daisy. ‘I’ve been trying to find out more about Louisa before Sarah goes to the police. I went to Derby, where she’s from, and I spoke to a friend of hers. She says she lost contact with Louisa because she thinks Richard is?—’
‘You’ve been to see people about this?’
‘I wanted to tell you, but I knew you’d try and stop me.’
‘Too right I would, because it’s none of our business.’ He shook his head in exasperation.
‘There’s a child’s life at stake!’
‘Wait a minute.’ Danny paused. ‘You said you’ve seen her?’
Juliette nodded. ‘Last week. I made Sarah take me to her. I thought I was going out of my mind seeing things and all the while it was Richard playing tricks on me, to stop me from finding out the truth.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes! How many more times do I?—’
‘Christ, Jules, I would never have agreed to this meal if I’d known all this was going on!’
‘What do you expect me to do?’ She hissed. ‘Walk away and pretend I haven’t seen her? You know I can’t do that.’
‘She isn’t your responsibility.’
‘So you think it’s okay living next door to a child that’s locked up away from people? A child who hasn’t seen her mum for a year?’
‘You don’t know that for certain.’ He glanced towards the door but there was no sign of Richard or Sarah. ‘Did Sarah say anything about Richard’s part in all of this?’
‘Richard told me he’d seen Louisa and Daisy a few months ago. I now know he’s lying. Plus he’s just said hehasn’tseen either of them. He only spoke to them on the phone.’
‘You’ve spoken to Richard about this too? I can’tbegin to understand why you wouldn’t confide in me.’ His tone was sarcastic as he threw her a thunderous look.
‘He said there was nothing to worry about. But I didn’t believe him. I got us an invite here for dinner, so that you could see Daisy. And now you’re doubting me.’
‘It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s the reasoning – why would they go to such lengths to hide a child?’
‘Exactly. Something is wrong. I can’t let it go, not with a child involved. I can’t leave her there, not after…’
She couldn’t say the words, but Danny knew what she was getting at.
‘That’s a low trick to use Emily,’ he muttered.
‘I’m sorry,’ Juliette said. ‘But this is important to me. If you can see Daisy, we might be able to get her and Sarah away from Richard.’
‘But he’s just said she’s not here!’
‘He’s lying.’
Danny gnawed his bottom lip. ‘Do you think they’re both in danger?’
When Juliette nodded, he continued.
‘You should have called the police if you have suspicions.’
‘I couldn’t, don’t you see? Sarah says she’s tried before but you know Richard and his smooth talk. She said he had officers believing Sarah was making it up. She’s scared to do anything now because he hit her after that.’
‘He hit her?’ Danny’s face darkened.
Juliette nodded, feeling her cheeks burning. She wasn’t sure if that was entirely true. She reached for his hand.
