iii

The week had progressed far too slowly for Kate, but Friday had finally come, she wanted to leave early so she had a chance of beating the traffic. She would go home and grab their already packed bags and then pick up Jo from her parent’s place. Her computer clock read 2pm, time to go, she smiled and shut it down. “Bye, have a good weekend,” she chimed as she took one last look at her desk and clicked off the lamp. “Goodbye Kate, have a great time, see you Wednesday,” her boss replied. “Ok, see you then,” she said and picked up her bag, she would pick up Ben on her way home, he had worked night shift but promised that he would be ready by 2.15. Kate left the car park and rolled down her window, it was a gorgeous afternoon. She tooted her horn outside P.C. Smith’s house, she had also pranked his mobile, and so he was ready when she arrived. “Nice wheels,” he commented as he slid into the passenger seat. “Thanks,” she said, “gets me from A to B.” She clicked on the radio and pulled out into the traffic, “Had a good week?” she asked. “Not bad, though it couldn’t pass quickly enough,” Ben, replied. Kate laughed, “I agree, it seemed to drag its feet, I was counting down the minutes today.” They completed the short trip in silence except for the radio and Kate was humming along. “I’ll only be a sec’,” she said as they pulled into the drive, but something wasn’t right….

Kate pushed the door open, it wasn’t locked, ‘funny,’ she thought to herself, ‘I was sure I locked it this morning.’ She gasped when she saw the mess and called Ben. He raced up the stairs and followed her in, “My God,” he breathed, “It looks like they’ve found you.” Kate began to cry, the place looked like a bomb had hit it; the cushions from the couch had been flung on the floor, the chairs were upended and the pictures had been swept off the bookshelf. There was broken glass glinting on the floor from the shattered frames, and half the books from the shelf were on the floor too. Kate was shaking, Ben gathered her into his arms, “do you think that they’ve taken anything?” Kate shrugged, “I can’t tell,” she sobbed, “there’s stuff everywhere.”

‘So much for pre-packing!’ She thought as she began gathering up clothes and folding them. Ben was straightening up the living room, and by the time Kate re-emerged from the bedroom 20 minutes later Ben was replacing the last book on the bookshelf. “Thanks Ben, it looks a lot better,” she said with relief, “I don’t think they took anything.” “Except this,” he said holding up the now empty picture frame that had once held a picture of her and Jo that Steve had taken when they had picnicked in the hills. “I’ll get someone to come by and check it out,” he said, “There may be fingerprints but I doubt it, these guys are usually fairly professional.” He pulled his mobile from his pocket and dialled work; Kate took the bags down to the car. She had packed a few extra things in anticipation of a longer absence and she unplugged everything except the fridge. “Mum has a key, I’ll get her to collect the mail and look in on the place,” she said when Ben rejoined her at the car. “Your lock is busted, but someone is coming over to fix it, shall I ask them to send the new keys to your parents?” he asked. “Yeah, that’s probably best,” Kate, said and made to get into the car, “actually, would you mind driving? I still feel a bit shaky,” she held out the keys. “Of course,” Ben replied and took the keys, “You take it easy.” Kate got into the passenger seat, “Thanks,” she said.

Kate detailed the break-in and told her mother everything she knew about Jo, excluding the names. Jo was in the next room watching television; she didn’t want him to know about the break-in. Kate’s mother gasped and gathered her daughter into her arms, “Oh honey, I had no idea,” she sympathised. Her father hadn’t yet returned from work, Kate’s mother would fill him in later. “Is there anything we can do for you?” her mother asked, her voice filled with motherly concern. “Actually, can you check in on the place and collect my mail?” Kate asked, “We could be gone a while.” Mrs McBride readily agreed, “of course darling, is that all?” Kate nodded, “I think so, for now,” she said simply. “Jo! Time to get going,” she dried her eyes. Jo bounced into the room happily, oblivious too the drama and keen to get going. They bundled into the car and waved to Mrs McBride as they pulled away. She watched them till they were out of sight from the porch, she sent a silent prayer up to heaven, ‘Lord, please protect my daughter and that precious boy,’ she implored….