Gone Astray (42 page)

‘I’m glad she’s being treated at another hospital. I don’t know if I could trust myself not to do something if she was here. Out of all of Rosie’s friends,
I’d have said she was the least likely to get into trouble. But what she did, the way she exploited her . . .’ Lesley burned with anger.

‘I thought Kathryn was the one we should be wary of. I got that wrong.’

‘The nurses let her pop in earlier to see Rosie. It turns out she had been giving Rosie a hard time, but only because she thought Rosie was being too easily influenced by Lily and her
crowd. They were the ones bullying her, not Kathryn. Kathryn never went to any of Lily’s parties at her grandmother’s house.’

‘I don’t understand why she kept quiet about Lily and her friends if she was worried, though.’

‘Kathryn said Lily swore blind she had nothing to do with Rosie going missing and she believed her. She now thinks Lily kept going on about Rosie self-harming to make everyone think
that’s how the blood came to be on the lawn, to cover up what happened, and she suspects Lily might’ve got Eddie Sinclair to mug her as a warning not to say anything. She also said that
it’s Lily who Rosie nicknamed GS, not Sinclair. GS stands for Grammar School, because that’s where Lily goes.’

‘I
knew
Kathryn knew who GS was.’ Maggie frowned. ‘We still need to find out why Lily was using a phone registered to Sinclair though.’

‘I guess that’s something you’ll have to ask them about,’ said Lesley.

‘Has Rosie said anything about what happened?’

‘We talked for a bit when she came round from the operation. She told us about the photograph Sinclair took, although she didn’t know at the time he’d taken it. She was
paralytic by the sounds of it. She also said the excuse Lily gave for coming round on Tuesday was to borrow her skirt. When Rosie was hurt, Sinclair apparently used it to try to stop the
bleeding.’

‘That backs up what Lily told me. It’s really good Rosie’s opening up to you about what she’s been through. It should help her in the long run.’

‘That’s what Jo from Victim Support said when she came by earlier. She seems really nice,’ said Lesley.

‘You called them? Good. They’re a great resource.’

‘It was Mack’s idea actually. After the situation with Suzy, I think he’s realized it’s better to have things out in the open.’

Maggie’s eyes widened with surprise.

‘He’s told you everything?’

‘Oh yes, the whole lot.’

Lesley relayed her and Suzy’s conversation in the cafe at the hospital.

‘She’s sure Faye is Mack’s daughter?’ Maggie said sceptically.

‘Yes, and I am too. She’s the spitting image of Rosie and Mack.’

‘Wow,’ said Maggie, puffing out her cheeks. ‘That’s a lot to take in.’

‘It is, but I can cope with it now I know. Imagining Mack having an affair was actually far worse.’

‘Have you mentioned Faye to Rosie yet?’

‘I think we’ll wait until she’s out of hospital and back home. Hopefully she’ll be okay when we do tell her, if we make it clear it doesn’t change how Mack feels
about her. But if she’s not okay, we’ll deal with it together – as a family.’

Dawn was breaking as Maggie left the hospital and the gradually lightening sky was streaked with the softest pink and orange. Her arm was too sore and stiff to drive but she
didn’t mind. The walk home would give her the chance to start emptying her mind of the horror of what had happened in the pool house. She wasn’t even bothered by the cold breeze that
whipped round her as she set off.

The town centre was quieter than usual to reflect the start of the weekend. She thought about going round to Lou’s and having breakfast with her and the kids but her aching body demanded
that she go home and crawl beneath her duvet for a few hours. She’d spoken to Lou late last night to reassure her she was okay and had only needed a few stitches. The news reports on TV were
making it sound a lot worse.

Telling Lou about Rob’s involvement in the case had been difficult. As much as she wanted to for her sister and the children’s sake, she couldn’t cover up the fact he had been
supplying illegal steroids to Farley – and, it transpired, quite a few other gym patrons – and Rob was now facing serious charges. All Maggie could hope was that he might receive a
lighter sentence, maybe even a suspended one, for identifying Farley and helping her to rescue Lisa. She promised Lou she would do everything she could to help him.

She’d spoken briefly to Steve too. She was still angry he’d left her at the gym, especially when Bobby turned out to be fine. The rash his wife Isla had assumed in a panic was
meningitis turned out to be an allergic reaction.

‘I’ve probably screwed my career,’ he sighed down the phone. ‘Ballboy wants to see me first thing. He knows about the CCTV footage I overlooked.’

Maggie didn’t say she was the one who told him.

‘I’ll put in a good word for you, for what it’s worth.’

‘If you can, terrific. He might actually listen to you.’

Maggie reached the end of the road the hospital was on. Laid out before her at the junction was a series of mini-roundabouts and she paused as her tired brain tried to work out the best way to
get across them. She didn’t see the car slowing down alongside her. It was only when the driver beeped, causing her to jump out of her skin, that she noticed it.

Umpire lowered the driver’s window.

‘Can I give you a lift?’

It surprised her how pleased she was to see him. She didn’t hesitate and got into the car.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked as he pulled away from the kerb and headed in the direction of the high street.

‘My arm’s sore from all the stitches and the doctor has advised me to rest it for a couple of days, but otherwise I’m fine. So what happened when you questioned Farley,
sir?’

‘He broke down and confessed not long after the interview started. He’s admitted to kidnap, attempted extortion and perverting the course of justice. We’ve also charged him for
the assault and rape of Lisa Charleston and for the murder of Vivienne Roberts. We found her body where he said it was, on the compost heap. He’ll go before a special magistrates’
hearing first thing, as will Sinclair. We’re throwing the book at him too.’

‘What about Lily?’

‘It’s not as clear cut with her. She’s saying Sinclair coerced her into letting him take the photographs and she was too scared to say no. She says he would’ve hurt her
had she tried to stop him.’

‘That’s not what she said in the pool house. I think she knew exactly what she was doing.’

‘She’s sticking to her statement though. She’s saying Sinclair stabbed Rosie, not her, but it’s her word against his and any prints that might have established who did it
have been washed off the knife. The CPS doesn’t think we can charge her yet because the allegation of grooming is a contentious one, so she’s been bailed while inquiries continue. At
the same time, Sinclair’s confirmed the phone registered to him was stolen just before Christmas and those texts to Rosie are nothing to do with him.’

‘Kathryn Stockton told Lesley that GS is Lily. It stands for Grammar School, because Lily goes to a different school to them.’

Umpire shook his head. ‘Once Rosie is in a fit state to be questioned, we’ll have a clearer idea of what went on in that garden on Tuesday.’

‘That poor kid has got so much to deal with when she does wake up. You heard about the half-sister?’

‘Yes. Quite the turn-up.’

‘Lesley’s handling it really well. I’m not sure I’d be as magnanimous.’

‘Do you think Suzy is telling the truth about them not having an ongoing affair?’

‘I do, actually. I think she just wants what’s fair for her daughter,’ said Maggie as she leaned back against the headrest and yawned.

‘I think Suzy Breed might have a bit more explaining to do though. The pay-as-you-go mobile Farley used to call the incident room, the one that we couldn’t trace? The number has
turned up on the records we pulled for Suzy’s phone.’

‘What!’ Maggie gasped. ‘Are you sure? You’re saying Farley and Suzy know each other?’

‘That’s what the records tell us. We’ll know more when Forth Valley Police pick Suzy up in about an hour. She’s on the sleeper train back to Edinburgh from King’s
Cross.’

‘Bloody hell,’ said Maggie. ‘What game has Suzy really been playing?’

‘We’ll know soon enough.’ He glanced across at her. ‘You must be exhausted. I heard you waited outside Rosie’s room all night.’

‘I just wanted to make sure she was okay, sir.’

‘We’re not on duty now. You can call me Will.’

It was the first time Umpire had ever said that to her and she was so taken aback she couldn’t speak.

Perhaps sensing her surprise, he quickly asked, ‘Are you hungry?’

‘Actually, yes, I’m starving. I can’t remember when I last ate.’

‘Me neither. There’s a cafe on Lincoln Street that should be open by now. It does the best bacon roll you’ll ever taste. My treat.’

‘You want to buy me breakfast?’ she asked, her pulse quickening.

He gave her an odd look. ‘The rest of the team are meeting us there.’

Mortified, Maggie wanted to kick herself for not realizing he hadn’t meant just her and him.

‘Of course, sir, sorry – I mean Will,’ she said, blushing furiously. ‘That’s what I thought you meant.’

‘You sure about that?’

She looked across at him.

He smiled.

These words might be mine but you wouldn’t be reading them without the efforts of all these people. My brilliant editor Catherine Richards, thank you for showing such
enthusiasm and passion for
Gone Astray
from day one. The same goes for everyone at Pan Macmillan, in particular Sam Eades and Laura Carr. My agent Jane Gregory, for making me the happiest
wannabe author ever when you took me on. It’s great to have you in my corner! Likewise everyone at Gregory & Co, but especially Stephanie Glencross for always giving such terrific
guidance. Erin Kelly, Tasmina Perry and Jo Carnegie, for encouraging me to follow in your footsteps and for all the advice, support and great friendship during my long journey to publication.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Murphy of Thames Valley Police, for taking the time to explain what a family liaison officer does and why the role is so vital – any errors in procedure are
mine alone and I apologize for them! Kerry Needham, for sharing yours and Ben’s story with me, which gave me the idea for making an FLO my central character; I hope one day soon you find the
answers you seek. Hari Patience and Austin Buckeridge, for reading
Gone Astray
in its early stages and encouraging me to keep going, and especially Hari for being the best writing buddy
ever. Mum and Dad, for telling the twelve-year-old me that
of course
I could become a writer when I grew up if that’s what I wanted to do, and for helping me achieve my dream. I owe
you so much. My darling daughter Sophie, for being born! Your arrival was my trigger to start writing
Gone Astray
; once I understood what it was to be a mum, Lesley found her voice. And
Rory, for giving me the time and space to write, pushing me to keep going all those times I hit a brick wall and for giving such great plot advice! Falling in love with you still remains the
smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Michelle Davies has been writing professionally for twenty years as a journalist on magazines, including on the production desk at
Elle
, and as Features Editor of
Heat.
Her last staff position before going freelance was Editor-at-Large at
Grazia
magazine and she currently writes for a number of women’s magazines and newspaper
supplements. Michelle has previously reviewed crime fiction for the
Sunday Express
’s Books section. She lives in London and juggles writing crime fiction with her freelance
journalism and motherhood.
Gone Astray
is her first novel.

First published 2016 by Macmillan

This electronic edition published 2016 by Macmillan
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
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Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com

ISBN 978-1-4472-8419-2

Copyright © Michelle Davies 2016

Cover images © sturti / Getty Images

The right of Michelle Davies to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

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