Page 89 of The Stolen Child

She reached down and picked him up, holding him close in her arms, nuzzling into his soft, downy blond curls. He smelled like baby powder and vanilla. Sally didn’t think there was a more addictive smell than his. She brought Zach to the changing unit, put a fresh nappy on him and dressed him in his outdoor Babygro. It was time for their morning walk.

This was her favourite part of the day and one that Ian encouraged. He liked Sally to keep her figure trim. Luckily for her, their home in Hereford Gardens had direct access to the Pinner Village Gardens park. As she walked towards the Rose Garden, her favourite spot in the parkland, she pointed out the trees and wildlife pond to Zach, who regarded his surroundings with interest. A group of teens flew kites on the green, and echoes of children’s happy squeals drifted towards them from the playground.

‘You’ll be old enough for the swings in no time, Zach,’ Sally promised, looking forward to the day she could take him there too. She sat on a bench in the Rose Garden and leaned back to let the warmth of the summer sun bathe her face.

‘Hello, Sally,’ a voice said as a shadow appeared from behind her.

Sally looked up in surprise. Elsie sat down beside her on the park bench. Sally’s heart ached at seeing her best friend for the first time in almost a year. She looked well. Her hair had changed colour and was now blonde and fell in long waves past her shoulders in a style almost identical to Sally’s.

Sally felt a flush of shame. She’d been a rubbish friend, and her guilt at disappearing from Elsie’s life weighed heavy on her.

‘I’m sorry . . .’ Sally began.

‘Hush now. I’m not here for you to apologise. I’m here to see this little one. Oh, Sally, he’s beautiful,’ Elsie said, her eyes hungrily taking in Zach.

‘Almost six months old now. And the sweetest boy. He’s my whole world.’

‘Can I give him a cuddle?’ Elsie asked.

‘Of course you can. I’ve told him all about his auntie Elsie.’

Sally watched her oldest friend pick up her son and hold him close. Elsie kissed both his cheeks tenderly, and her eyes glistened with emotion as she nestled him in close to her.

‘Hello, little man. I’m so happy to meet you. I’m sorry it’s taken so long.’

Zach reached a chubby hand upwards and touched Elsie’s face. Then he grabbed a handful of her blonde hair and gave it a yank.

Elsie’s laugh bellowed out, and Zach giggled along. ‘He’s a little belter!’

‘I can’t wear earrings any more or he’ll yank them out!’ Sally said.

‘I’m not sure I’ll be able to let him go. He’s perfect,’ Elsie said wistfully. ‘He reminds me of Bertie . . .’ She didn’t finish the sentence.

‘Bertie?’ Sally asked, in surprise. She’d never heard that name before.

‘A kid who used to live on our road . . . before I moved to the orphanage,’ Elsie said quickly. ‘But I don’t think I’ve seen a bonnier baby than this little man.’

Sally basked in the praise. She’d had visitors to their home since his birth, but they were all Ian’s friends. Nicola had been granted permission to come and had visited a couple of times each month. But Ian had refused to leave them alone for more than a moment. He was afraid Sally would confide in her friend about how unhappy she was. But he needn’t have worried. She didn’t think she was brave enough to tell anyone her shameful secret.

‘I called to the house a few times. Not sure you knew that,’ Elsie said softly, her eyes not leaving Zach’s even for a moment. ‘But Ian wouldn’t let me in.’

‘I didn’t know. I’m so sorry,’ Sally said. ‘I wanted to visit you too, so many times . . . but . . . it’s been difficult.’

Elsie bounced Zach on her lap and then swivelled round so that she faced Sally.

‘I’m worried about you,’ Elsie said.

Sally’s head went through half a dozen possible responses – all denials of trouble, with assurances that she was living a happy life. Instead, Sally replied simply, ‘I’m worried about me too.’

‘We used to tell each other everything. But now I feel like I don’t know you. Or your life.’

Sally understood. It was a fair comment. ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Talk to me now. There’s nobody around to hear you.’

It was clear to Sally that Elsie had had suspicions about Ian for some time. Nicola too. But she wasn’t sure that either of her friends could ever understand what it was like for her behind closed doors.

Sally looked around her, ensuring nobody was nearby and could overhear them. Then, satisfied that they were alone, she began to speak. ‘Ian likes things done a certain way. And, if I stray from that, he gets angry.’