Page 27 of The Stolen Child

Kevin nodded his agreement as he poured himself a cup of coffee. ‘I’m going to hire a car today so we can take our posters further afield. We’ve got Barcelona a hundred per cent covered.’

‘Thank you for all you’re doing,’ Kimberly said. She reached over to pat her father-in-law’s hand awkwardly. ‘I appreciate everything you’ve done for us since you arrived.’

‘I wish I could do more.’

A pot of tea and coffee arrived at the table, along with a silver tray of toast. They ordered bacon and eggs for them all, including Jason. Kimberly had little appetite, though. She’d nibble on a square of buttered toast and devote her energy to spoon-feeding porridge to Lily.

But then Kevin’s eyes narrowed. ‘Jason blames himself. For going out for a few drinks. For not being there to protect his family. That kind of guilt can eat away at a person. And it’s unfair to put this at this feet.’

‘I don’t blame him!’ Kimberly said truthfully.

‘That’s good. After all, it was you who insisted he go out. And you took a sleeping pill while in charge of the children.’

Kimberly felt a flush rise to her cheeks. ‘I wish I could go back and do it all differently.’

Tears came once again. She was incredulous that she still could produce them, having shed so many over the past week.

Kevin’s eyes never left her as he sipped his coffee.

‘It’s clear that you hold me accountable, Kevin. Well, I can assure you that I do too. I’ll never forgive myself for taking that pill.’

Jason arrived, took one look at Kimberly’s face and rushed to her side. He handed her a napkin and asked, ‘Are you okay?’

She noted that he didn’t put his arms round her, though. Rot had crept into their marriage. It had caused their love to shrink day by day, and now it was crumbling in front of her eyes, splintering, piercing, failing. And she didn’t know what to do to prevent it.

She wiped her eyes, telling Jason all was fine. They both looked towards Lily. An unspoken promise moved between them: they would not allow themselves to fall apart in front of their daughter. Jason took a seat on the other side of Lily. Kevin passed him a cup of coffee, which he gulped down in two large swigs.

‘You look tired,’ Kimberly said, noticing the bags under Jason’s eyes. His lips were chapped and blistering. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a ChapStick, handing it to him. He half smiled at her, and for a moment it was as it used to be.

He slicked it onto his lips and said, ‘That’s better. Thanks.’ Then he cleared his throat before turning to Kimberly. ‘We’ve had a call from Inspector Ortega. He’d like us both to call down to the station.’

‘Is there news?’ Kimberly asked, her stomach clenching at the thought.

‘I don’t know. But he did say he’d like to see us this morning.’

Kevin lowered his voice and leaned in. ‘Should you take a lawyer with you?’

‘Why would we do that?’ Kimberly asked, her eyes wide.

‘If we take a lawyer, surely that will make the authorities think we look guilty?’ Jason asked, his knee jiggling up and down.

‘Not for one moment do I believe that either of you had anything to do with Robert’s disappearance. But there’s been chatter. You’ve heard it yourselves. And speculation in the press too. That article in the Independent hinted that you were a possible suspect, Jason,’ Kevin said.

‘They always blame the parents,’ Kimberly murmured.

‘Or the wicked step-parent,’ Jason added bitterly.

‘We have to box clever here, son. I’ve been talking to one of my contacts in the Irish embassy, and they have suggested a lawyer for you. He’s a local lad, but excellent at this type of thing.’

Kimberly felt bile rush its way into the back of her throat. She held a napkin to her mouth and closed her eyes to ward off nausea.

‘I will not allow them to pin this on you,’ Kevin said firmly to Jason.

‘Or Kimberly,’ Jason added.

‘Absolutely. This one needs you both,’ Kevin said, pointing to Lily. ‘This can’t be the right environment for Lily. Living out of a suitcase, with none of her toys and things. We have to think about when it’s time to go home.’

‘No!’ Kimberly snapped loudly, banging her hand on the table so hard that her teacup rattled in the saucer. Several diners turned in their direction. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. But we can’t go.’ She reached over to Jason, clasping his hand between her own. ‘What if they bring Robert back to us? What if they realise they’ve made a mistake when Robert keeps asking for us, his mama and daddy? We have to be here, waiting for him.’