‘I’m pretty sure this was Diane’s idea. I think she’s made Robert paranoid that I’ll deny him access to the girls. Which is absolute rubbish. I would never do that.’
‘But you’ve spoken to him about it, surely?’
‘I’ve left tons of messages and texts, but the only reply I’ve received is a message to say they’re fine.’
Amelia is still bustling around the kitchen, chopping and grating. I don’t have the heart to tell her I’m not hungry. It was all I could do to force those two crackers down. ‘Want me to call Diane?’ she asks. ‘See if I can find out where they are?’
‘Would you?’
‘Of course.’
‘I already messaged her to ask which of her friends recommended Sadie as a nanny – you know it was one of her friends from the golf club. I figured if I could speak to them, maybe they could help me track her down. But Diane sent me a text saying she wasn’t prepared to put me in touch with her friends for me to harass them! Can you believe that?’
Amelia gives a dry laugh. ‘Actually, I can believe it. Diane won’t want to be shown up. You’ll have to learn how to get her on your side, Gemma. You always tend to rub her up the wrong way.’
‘I know. I can’t help it.’ I sigh and pull at the skin around my eyes.
‘Look,’ Amelia says, draining the pasta, ‘I know this sucks. I know you’re missing the girls. But Robert isn’t heartless. He’ll bring them back. You know he will.’
‘I thought about calling the police, you know.’ I watch Amelia’s face as I drop this piece of news. Wondering if she’ll think this is a step too far – reporting my own husband. But she simply nods. ‘But I’m nervous about involving the authorities. What if they get social services involved, or they decide Robert should have full custody? Diane knows everyone in this town so I’m sure she can twist things to make me look bad. Like I’m this working mother who doesn’t care about her children.’
‘Oh, Gemma. It all sounds so serious. But I’m sure Robert will bring them home soon and you’ll be able to work things out. He’ll want what’s best for the children, and they’ll want to spend time with both of you.’
‘It’s only been two days and I’m already missing them so much it’s making me sick. I need to know they’re okay. What Robert’s doing now is almost worse than his betrayal with Sadie. What if he moves in with her and she gets access to my girls?’
Hysteria claws its way through my veins. Can this really be happening? I feel like I’m trapped in a nightmare. How can Robert not see what this is doing to me?
‘Have you spoken to her?’
‘To Sadie? Yes. She said she loves him.’
‘Shit.’
‘But when I tried to call her again today, it says her number isn’t available. Same with her email address.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, she’s not contactable any more.’
‘That’s odd.’
‘I know. But it gets worse. Today, I messaged Sadie’s families – you know, the ones she used to nanny for before us. I used the email references she gave on her résumé, but both addresses have come back as undeliverable. Which means that they were probably fake references.’
Amelia’s eyes widen and she sits down heavily. ‘That’s…’
‘I know. Scary, right. I mean, who the hell even is she? Did she get fired from her last job? Is she a danger to the girls?’
‘Surely Robert knows where she is? I mean, if he and she are… you know.’
‘He says he doesn’t know where she is, but I don’t know whether he’s telling the truth or not. Maybe he’s with her, or maybe he’s covering up where she is to protect her from me. My only option now is to try to find her.’
‘I agree. You need to have it out with her. Are you sure you and Robert can’t put all this behind you and work it out? I mean, Robert’s always been a bit of a player.’
I look at her, not sure if I’ve heard her correctly. ‘A player? No he hasn’t!’ I’m surprised at Amelia for saying that. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to snap, but Robert is most definitely not a player.’
‘Oh. Well, it’s good to hear that he’s changed sincewewere together.’ She inhales and raises her eyebrows.
‘Changed?’ It always makes me feel weird to remember that Robert and Amelia used to be an item.