Eventually, Otis hangs up. ‘They’re sending someone to the house,’ he replies. ‘They said it shouldn’t be too long.’
I glance at the route displayed on my phone map. ‘We’re only ten minutes away from your house.’
Otis grunts in response, and I leave him to his thoughts.
When Bramblethorpe comes into view, a self-conscious prickle ignites my skin. People out and about watch Otis’s car pass, whispering to one another as soon as they see it. But it’s when they notice me driving, not him, that their whispers really kick up a notch.
‘Uh-oh,’ Otis mutters darkly. ‘The Bramblethorpe bitching brigade have spotted us. According to the locals, we’ll be having an affair before you know it.’
My heart lurches, praying for Kamal’s sake as much as my own that that’s not the case. I’ve no idea how I could ever explain what I’ve done today in a way that would make sense to my cool, collected, rational husband.
When I reach Maple Crescent, Dorrit is in her garden, bundled in layers to protect herself from the chill. Magnus sits by her side. She straightens as I pass, but I don’t wave. The less attention I can bring to myself by Otis’s side, the better.
Spinning the steering wheel, I turn Otis’s car into his driveway. There, I find a white four-wheel drive already parked outside the house.
I’ve barely parked before an attractive woman leaps out of the white car. She’s in her mid-thirties, although the cosmetic injections she favours try to suggest otherwise. That’s not to say they’re not well done, though. They’re subtle, just the right amount to plump here and tighten there. Her auburn hair hangs in long, flowing curls, and her lips are graced with the lightest touch of nude lipstick. But what strikes me most is how she frowns when she sees me, and how relieved Otis is to see her.
‘Gabby,’ he exhales, slipping out of the car and falling heavily into the woman’s arms. The familiarity of their embrace tells me that they have a longstanding relationship, but the positioning of Otis’shands at the top of Gabby’s back suggests it’s friendly, not romantic. Still, I hesitate, uneasy at intruding, especially when Gabby takes Otis’s head in her hands to speak to him.
When I exit the vehicle, the woman pulls back, her stance protective. ‘Who are you?’
‘This is Janine,’ Otis replies on my behalf. ‘She’s helping me look for Alexa. Janine, this is Gabby, my best friend.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ I say, sticking out my hand. Gabby shakes it, but her expression remains cool.
‘Are you a friend of Alexa’s or…’ Gabby’s voice trails off in a way that’s loaded.
‘Not exactly,’ I admit. ‘I mean, I knew Alexa. Well, I met her once. I—’
‘Once?’ Gabby echoes, shooting Otis an alarmed look. He shakes it off.
‘Gabby’s a lawyer,’ Otis explains. ‘The best there is, but a little prone to paranoia.’ He nudges his friend with his elbow to lighten the comment. ‘Janine’s here as a friend, Gabs. She writes thrillers under the name S. K. Atherton. She works with the police when researching for her books. I thought she’d be a good person to help. You know how everyone else around here has been.’
As Gabby nods, eyeing me with shrewd curiosity, I shift awkwardly on my feet.
‘I can’t believe you came,’ Otis says to Gabby.
‘Where else would I be? You need someone by your side right now.’
Otis smiles gratefully before looking at me. ‘I told Gabby Lex had left again. She’s taken a few days off work to help me through it all.’
‘What are friends for?’ Gabby chimes in, but from the way she’s looking at Otis, I can’t help thinking that the labelfriendisn’t one she wants.
‘I need a friend more than ever now,’ Otis says, his voice cracking. Instinctively, Gabby reaches for him.
‘What’s happened?’
I wait for Otis to speak, but he’s too upset to do so.
‘Alexa’s bank card,’ I say, clearing my throat. ‘Otis was under the impression that Alexa was okay because she’s been spending on her card.’
‘Let me guess, another shopping spree?’ Gabby mutters. ‘If she’s not punishing Otis by walking out, then she’s hitting the plastic – hard.’
‘Not quite,’ I reply. ‘We traced Alexa’s purchases to a convenience store in Manchester. We went there to see if we could find her, but she never showed up.’
Gabby grunts like she expected as much, but her already stiff features freeze further when I continue.
‘We think Alexa’s card might have been stolen. We’re waiting for the police now.’