Without even bothering to ask what it was for, Hester slammed her gavel onto the wooden block. ‘Sold to the man at the back for ten thousand pounds!’
The crowd broke out into uproar.
I couldn’t hear any of it. I felt as though I wore a space helmet.
Hester had sold me for ten thousand pounds to the man who murdered my mother, ruined my life and nearly destroyed my brother.
My brother. I clutched my chest, willing it to start working again, frantically searching the crowd with my eyes as the applause went on.
Where was Sam?
23
I left the stage as quickly as I could without appearing conspicuous. Hester began calling everyone’s attention back for the final bid, and I took another moment to scan for Sam. Or Kane, who had vanished in the excitement.
Slipping along the outside of the room, I reached Perry’s table.
‘Perry. Have you seen Sam or April?’
He swivelled slightly in his seat to look at me. My heart sank at his drooping eyelids and sloppy smile. ‘No. I’m talking to Eddie and Jones about your legendary cooking skills.’
‘Right, well?—’
‘Say hello, Faith,’ he said, the words spilling out on a wave of alcohol fumes.
‘Pardon?’
‘Say hello to Eddie and Jones.’
I gave them a tight smile. ‘Hi. Thanks for coming. But Perry, I really need to talk to you about Sam.’
He groaned, shaking his head. ‘I’m talking to Eddie and Jones at the moment. Sam’s better now. April’s looking afterhim.’ He paused, slowing his speech down as though worn out. ‘Let it go, Faith, for one blessed night, can’t you?’
‘Please. I need to speak to you for two minutes.’ I put my hand on his arm, trying to suppress my panic.
‘No!’ He shook it off, clumsily. ‘Just for once, let him take care of himself. He’s back five minutes and straight away retaken the number one spot in Faith’s affections. What about me? What about my needs? I’m not interested in talking about your nutjob brother tonight.’
Eddie gripped Perry’s arm. ‘Steady on, man.’ He looked at me in apology. ‘Ignore him. He’s a horrible drunk. He’ll feel wretched in the morning.’
I nodded, unable to speak, and left them, the sounds of the auction buzzing in the background as I hurried round to my own table near the far end of the hall. My eyes still hunting, pointlessly, in every direction.
Dylan stepped out from an alcove as I moved past, taking hold of my arm.
‘That was him.’ His smooth skin had turned white.
‘I can’t find Sam.’ My voice sounded hoarse.
‘He left, about ten minutes ago.’
‘By himself?’
‘I don’t know.’
I turned to the two tables taken up by choir members, but couldn’t see April. The final bid had been sold, and the guests rose to their feet, applauding Hester as she thanked everybody for their generosity.
Dylan loosened his grip on my arm, sliding his hand down to squeeze mine, briefly, before letting go. He led us through the crowd as he searched for April, pausing every now and then to ask somebody if they’d seen her, or the man who’d made the big bid.
By the time we reached the door, Marilyn had hustled round to join us.
