‘I’m sure there’s a simple explanation,’ said Beth as calmly as she could. ‘She’s a teenage girl. She can’t be far away.’
‘Unless she’s run away? Left the island.’ Callum sounded like he was beginning to panic.
‘The ferries are now off and it’s highly unlikely she would have done that. Unless she’s done it before and went this morning?’ She tried to rationalise what a teenage girl might do.
He shook his head vigorously. ‘No, never.’
‘And if she had missed school earlier then I assume they would need to let you know.’
He nodded.
‘Okay. Where else might she be? Just take your time and think. Any neighbours?’
‘Of course, Maisie, she lives in the wee house next door.’ He tried his phone again. ‘It’s no use, I’ll be quicker running and asking.’ Within seconds he run out the front door, banging it shut behind him.
Beth stood anxiously in the kitchen as Ruby started to whimper. ‘It’s okay.’ She patted the dog’s head. ‘He won’t be long.’ Beth watched out the window as the rain lashed against the glass. It was difficult to see anything or anyone.
A few minutes later he burst through the door, soaked to the skin. She could see the fear in his eyes as he desperately raked his hands through his hair. ‘She wasn’t there. Maisie hasn’t seen her all day. Where is she? What if something’s happened to her?’
Beth had never seen him so emotional. She longed to reach for him and tell him that everything would be okay. But she had a nagging sense of unease. Where on earth could Daisy be?
Chapter Forty
Callum, soaked to the skin, had started pacing around the kitchen. ‘What if someone’s taken her?’ he shrieked. ‘Or if she’s got lost or hurt herself and is out there?’
Beth winced. He looked so lost and deflated, but she couldn’t blame him. Those were her usual lines of thought for a missing child. But this was different, surely? Even so, she wasn’t quite sure what to say. She knew she had to calm Callum down and reassure him, but it was all so surreal. What she wanted to do was put a comforting arm around him, but she didn’t think that would be appropriate.
‘Okay,’ she said slowly. ‘Let’s stay calm and think about her other friends. Who else would she usually hang out with aside from Zola? Are there any other numbers we could try?’
Callum scrolled through his mobile. Then he grabbed the phone handset on the kitchen counter. ‘I don’t believe it.’ He slammed it down in frustration. ‘The bloody landline is down too.’
Beth moved about the room, holding up her phone. She could have wept with relief when she saw that her mobile still had some reception if she stood in the far corner of the kitchen. ‘What about Murray? Shall I try him?’
‘Jim’s son?’ Callum’s head suddenly snapped up. ‘Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?’ His dark brows were drawn together.
‘I’ll try their landline first,’ she said. He looked subdued as she dialled the number on her mobile and waited to see if the call would connect. She gave him the thumbs up. ‘Hey Freya. It’s Beth. Sorry to bother you. But . . . no, don’t worry, I don’t need to speak to Jim. It’s just that I’m with Callum and he’s trying to get hold of Daisy.’ There was a pause and Beth put a hand on her heart. Callum moved closer to Beth. ‘Oh that’s great.’ She felt the worry seep from her. ‘I’msoglad she’s okay.’ She put her handover the phone and looked at Callum. ‘She’s with them and she’s safe.’
‘Oh thank God.’ He was visibly relieved. He put his hand on Beth’s shoulder and squeezed it gratefully. Giving him a small smile, she turned her attention back to Freya who was still talking. ‘Ah, I see, well, listen, shall I put Callum on? It sounds like there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding. But as long as she is safe and okay that’s the main thing. Tell Jim I hope he feels better soon and I’ll be in touch. Here’s Callum.’
Callum took his hand off her to take the phone, but he stayed standing close. ‘Shall we put her on speakerphone?’
‘Good thinking,’ said Beth.
‘Freya, what’s happening?’ he asked. ‘We should both be able to hear you. I’ve put you on speakerphone.’
‘Hi Callum. I was just saying to Beth that the kids came home at lunchtime and Daisy wasn’t feeling well. I know she was trying to call you but couldn’t get through. Did you get the text from the school saying they were closing early because of the weather?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘But I’ve got no reception on my phone and the landline is down.’
‘No wonder you were worried. I know I would have been frantic. She said she had let Beth know she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t see her after school. She did say she had texted you and that she couldn’t get through on the house phone. But the poor soul’s been fast asleep for the past couple of hours. I thought that was the best thing for her. I’m so sorry. I just assumed you knew.’
Beth watched as Callum’s shoulders sagged with relief and exhaustion. She could only imagine how horrendous this had been for him, not knowing where Daisy was.
‘I’m just glad she’s okay and that she’s safe. She was probably wondering why I didn’t reply to her text, poor wee thing. I’ll head over to get her now, Freya, and thank you. I can’ttell you how glad I am that she’s with you . . .’ There was a catch in the back of his throat.
‘You would do the same for me Callum if it was Murray,’ said Freya. ‘No need to thank me. You know how fond of her I am. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to go out in this. Please, will you wait until the weather is more settled? It’s horrendous over here. The road out of Lamlash is flooded now. You won’t get to us anyway. The last thing you want to do is get stuck . . . Beth I hope you’re hearing me too.’
Callum pulled up the zip on his jacket and grabbed his beanie from the back of the chair.
