Читать книгу Saving Sophie: A compulsively twisty psychological thriller that will keep you gripped to the very last page - Sam Carrington, Sam Carrington - Страница 15

‘Did you know Amy is missing?’ Rachel’s soft voice was edged with anxiety.

‘Been keeping tabs on Facebook all day, do you know anything?’

‘Was hoping you did. She was with Sophie, wasn’t she?’

‘Honestly I’m at my wits’ end worrying about this. Well there’s a story – you know me, Rach, there’s always a story …’

There was a dry, nervous laugh, then: ‘Go on, spill it.’

Karen retold the events of the evening: the police, Sophie’s unfathomable ramblings about Amy, her complete lack of any memory of the night. Her eyes burned as new tears fell. Talking about it to Rachel brought it to life; seeing something unfold on social media was one thing, speaking about it was quite another. And now it was all too real; not distant, not happening to people she had never heard of. It was happening here, to those she loved and cared about.

‘Look, don’t get too worried. I haven’t spoken to Erin yet, perhaps she knows more. It may not be what we’re thinking.’

‘How come you haven’t spoken to Erin?’ Surely that was the first thing she should’ve done.

‘Mobile’s switched off. And she’s at Adam’s … you know he’s moved in with her, don’t you?’

‘No way! He only left yours four months ago. Oh, I’m really sorry, Rach, I’ve been a rubbish friend lately, you should’ve rung me …’ Karen’s free hand moved unconsciously to her face, running her thumb and forefinger along the bump on the bridge of her nose.

‘Yeah, well, you’ve had enough on your mind. It’s a story for another time – preferably over wine.’

‘That’s such a kick in the teeth. He’s an absolute idiot.’

‘You never did like him. Anyway, the thing is, the poxy house is right in the centre of Coleton, isn’t it, so of course Erin thinks it’s brilliant. Her dad’s suddenly the best thing since the invention of the mobile because he has a house nearer to her friends and her job. Barely see her at weekends now, she goes out in town, goes clubbing, then staggers home to him. And her.’

‘I guess it’s an ideal situation, a teenager’s dream,’ Karen huffed. ‘Sorry though, must hurt.’

‘Like a knife straight through my very soul. You know how much I’ve put into this family, how much I adore Erin. It’s killing me. He barely knew this woman before shacking up with her. But, let’s focus on Amy …’

‘Well, now you’ve told me this, I think it’s fairly obvious. I bet Amy’s with Erin at his. You’ll have to phone.’

There was a long silence. ‘Okay. If I have to.’

‘Um, yeah, you have to. You’re going to have to put all your resentment to one side, clear this up before the police get involved. If they haven’t already.’

‘I suppose I was hoping by phoning you first, you might already know where Amy was, stop me from having to humiliate myself.’

‘It’s just one quick call. Say what you have to, then go. Simple. Sorry I couldn’t be more help – it’s up to you, love.’

‘Cheers, mate,’ she laughed, ‘I’ll let you know the outcome.’

‘Thanks, but please, for heaven’s sake, let Liz know first, she’s beside herself.’

‘Of course. Right. Let’s sort this out.’

Karen released a large lungful of air. Another ten minutes or so and this will be over. At least, the part about Amy being missing. The rest was only just starting: there was still the matter of Sophie’s missing two and a half hours between being put in a taxi and being brought home by the police. She wasn’t sure getting to the bottom of that would be so easy.