Page 78 of The Stolen Child

‘That does help,’ Sally replied. ‘Well, I better get going.’

‘Maybe you could cut my hair some time,’ Ian called out as she turned to walk away.

Sally swung back, her eyes widening in surprise. ‘Of course. Call the salon whenever it suits you. You know where I work.’

He nodded, and a broad smile changed his face from broody to handsome. Sally felt her heart quicken in a way it hadn’t for a long time. As Ian got into his car and sped off, leaving a trail of dust on the road, Sally knew that this would not be the last time she saw him.

NOW

August 2023

Lily

Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella, Spain

‘I want to come back to Spain with Michael and Ben one day,’ Lily said as they arrived in the old town of Marbella.

Zach swung his car into a space that looked too small for their rental, with the ease of a seasoned driver.

‘It’s addictive, isn’t it? I could live over here. Might be a holiday villa, one of these days,’ Zach said. ‘Listen, before we head off, when we find this Ortega dude, let’s not tell him that we think I’m Robert.’

Lily smiled at Zach. ‘You are always so positive. You haven’t even considered we might not find Ortega! I like that about you. But why don’t you want him to know?’

‘If we tell him, he might call it into his buddies in the Policia. And, before we know it, this whole thing has legs, and we’ve lost control of what happens next.’

Lily could see the logic in Zach’s assumptions. She reassured Zach, and they made their way along a narrow cobbled street with tall, whitewashed buildings, all with colourful hanging baskets of flowers, until they arrived at the Plaza de los Naranjos. Ornate terracotta flagstones, with landscaped gardens, tall orange trees and sprinkling fountains were a feast for her eyes. On a whitewashed wall hung dozens of bright blue flowerpots with red flowers.

Zach told her that Marbella streets were full of pots like these, and Lily couldn’t help but take a couple of photos. Zach insisted on a selfie, and she snapped one of them both looking into the camera with matching grins.

‘Our first photo together,’ Lily said to him. And they shared a look that silently expressed the wish that it would be the first of many more to come.

They made their way across the square to a long row of restaurants with seating outside, perfect for enjoying an espresso and people-watching.

‘Let’s see if fortune does favour the brave once more,’ Zach said. He marched into the first café and began chatting to one of the waitresses.

‘She doesn’t know the inspector, but I did get her socials.’ Zach winked, then dodged a swipe from Lily. They moved to the next café and began the same process, but once again had no luck. Once they’d hit a blank wall for the sixth time, Lily was ready to give up. As they were about to leave, a waitress beckoned Zach over and told him about a small café, hidden on a nearby side street, that Ortega favoured.

Within a few feet of the café, Lily spotted him. Unmistakable, even from his side profile, there was Ortega, sitting at a table outside, cigarette smoke wafting up from behind a newspaper.

Lily’s heart hammered so loudly in her chest that she was sure the restaurant would hear it. But only when she cleared her throat did the man in front of them put down his newspaper and regard them both quizzically.

‘Señor Ortega? Inspector Ortega?’ Lily asked. Her voice was steadier than she felt.

‘Si,’ he replied, flicking ash into an almost full ashtray, and taking another long drag.

‘Do you speak English?’ Lily asked.

He shrugged, giving little away. He looked them both up and down suspiciously.

Lily licked her lips, wishing she had a glass of water. ‘My name is Lily Murphy and this is my friend Zach.’ There was no flicker of recognition. But that was hardly surprising. It was, after all, over forty years ago. ‘You were the inspector in charge of an investigation into the disappearance of my brother—’

‘Robert,’ Inspector Ortega butted in. He motioned to the seats before him, so Lily and Zach took a seat each. ‘You grew up.’

Lily smiled, feeling a little shy as he scrutinised her.

‘I’m retired, so I cannot help you now, any more than I could help your mother forty years ago.’ His face clouded for a moment.

Lily cursed herself for not rehearsing what to say to him. Truthfully, she never expected to find him.