Where the Memories Lie
By: Sibel Hodge
I recognised Sergeant Downing’s voice straight away. ‘Yes. Did you find her? Was she OK?’
He let out a soft chuckle. ‘Yes, she’s perfectly alive and well.
Nothing to worry about.’
A hand flew to my chest. ‘Good.’
60
Where the Memories Lie ‘I asked her if she knew Tom Tate and she said she did.’
‘Really? How?’
‘He did some work for her about thirty years ago. An extension.’
‘Oh, right. I suppose I should’ve thought about looking through his building records to see if he had any customers by that name, and then I wouldn’t have wasted your time. I’m so sorry.’
‘Well, all’s well that ends well.’ He paused for a moment.
‘Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. My mum had it. It was awful watching her losing her mind while her body deteriorated as well.
I’m sorry you’re going through this.’
‘Thank you. For everything. You’ve been very helpful.’
‘You’re welcome. Take care now.’
Ethan wasn’t there when I got home. Neither was Poppy.
‘Has Dad taken the dog out?’ I said to Anna, who was watching another documentary about death row on the laptop.
‘Yeah.’ She pressed ‘Pause’. ‘Where’ve you been?’
‘Nowhere.’
‘You must’ve been somewhere. ’
‘I was with Nadia.’
‘Oh. What’s for dinner?’
‘You can’t possibly be hungry after all the food you ate at the picnic.’ I’m sure my daughter has hollow legs. Oh, to have the metabolism of a teenager again.
‘I’m starving.’ She grinned. ‘Did you bring back any of Nadia’s muffins?’
‘No. There were none left. Chris ate the last one.’
She pulled an unamused face. ‘What about the quiche?’
‘There’s only the burnt one. No one wanted that for some reason. Can’t think why. I bet Poppy will love it. Nadia gave me 61
Sibel Hodge
some coffee cake, though, and some chocolate brownies. Dad should’ve put everything back in the fridge. Go and help yourself.’
She leaped off the sofa. ‘Oh, did I mention that the school is having a car boot sale soon to raise money for charity?’
‘No. Which charity?’
‘It’s going to the Dorset Wildlife Protection Trust. I’m going to help out and do a stall. Have we got anything I can sell?’
‘We must have loads of stuff we don’t need anymore. You can start by clearing out your wardrobes. I bet there are tons of things in there.’
‘Yeah, I’ll do that later. What about your things? And Dad’s?’
‘I’ll have a look. Check the loft, too. There are probably still boxes of stuff we haven’t even unpacked since we moved in. And if we haven’t missed it by now, we probably don’t need it.’
‘Wicked.’ She followed me into the kitchen, grabbed a plate, piled it with two brownies and a slice of cake. ‘I’ll get Emma to come round tomorrow and help me. She’s going to do it, too.’
‘OK. Why don’t you ask her to stay for dinner? You’re always going to her house for tea. I’m sure I can rustle up some chicken nuggets and chips.’
‘Yeah, that’s why I prefer going to my friends’ houses for dinner.
Because their mums cook real food.’
I pulled a face at her. ‘Cheeky.’
She gave me a goofy grin and disappeared into the lounge.
I spotted Ethan through the kitchen window walking on the wooded side of our boundary fence. A few minutes later he and Poppy burst into the utility room. She took one look at me and leaped up, planting her forepaws on my chest.
I ruffled her fur and flapped her ears.
Ethan stared at me from the doorway, thick eyebrows fur-rowed. ‘So go on, then, tell me what happened. Did they think you were mad?’
62
Where the Memories Lie ‘There is a Georgia Walker who lives in Abbotsbury, but she’s very much alive.’ I gave him a sheepish smile.
Poppy jumped down and headed for her water bowl.
‘There. I told you, didn’t I? Told you it was a complete waste of time.’ His face instantly relaxed, softening out the tense lines. He walked towards me and hugged me tight.