the obvious choice. The police have finished their forensic examinations and the place is hers again, if she wants it. A few journalists may be hanging around outside the block, but with a bit of luck they’ll have given up by now. There’s no fresh news as far as Lewis is concerned; he is still alive but it could go either way. She couldn’t stay there any longer listening to those bloody machines bleeping incessantly, sitting at the bedside staring at him unconscious, full of tubes, covered in wires, looking like a robot or an alien, not the man she used to love. Or still loves, perhaps. Does being at death’s door trump everything else, automatically entitling you to forgiveness? Ruby hasn’t worked that one out yet.
She needs to do something, go somewhere. Get some rest before another gruelling bedside ritual. Her brain isn’t functioning properly. She hasn’t eaten for many hours and the hospital coffee was disgusting. All she really wants to do is sleep, but the thought of going home to bloodstains on the carpet makes her feel nauseous. But where else can she go? Not to some hotel – it’s too late, and anyway, she couldn’t afford it. Not to her mother’s either. There’s only one other place she can think of, and although most people would consider it an odd choice, she knows it’s where she wants to spend the night.
She takes out her phone – just one bar of battery left. It should be enough. Opening up the taxi app, she punches in Amber’s postcode. There are several cabs lurking in the vicinity, the nearest only a minute away. She walks down the ramp and stands at the drop-off point by the entrance to A&E.
Checking the licence plate against what’s on her screen, she waves at the car coming towards her. The driver draws up, winds the window down and leans over. ‘Ruby?’ he says. She nods and gets into the back seat. The cab sets off and she leans back against the leather upholstery. Should she phone ahead to ask if she can stay? Probably. She clicks on Amber’s name, but before it has a chance to connect, the phone dies. Oh well, she thinks, I’ll just have to chance it.
‘Ruby!’ cries Amber, opening the door. Her face looks deathly pale, her vibrant hair tousled around her face. ‘What is it? Has something happened? How’s Lewis?’
‘No change,’ Ruby replies. ‘Um … is it okay if I come in?’
‘Of course. Please.’ Amber looks grateful. She steps back to allow Ruby inside, and they hug. ‘Thank God the reporters didn’t see us,’ she says, glancing out at the empty street before closing the door. ‘Or that photo would have been all over the tabloids tomorrow.’
‘Sisters Back Together,’ says Ruby grimly.
‘Hmm … probably not as kind. Come up.’
Ruby follows Amber upstairs. ‘Sorry I didn’t call ahead,’ she says. ‘My phone died.’
‘I’m really glad to see you. I was going out of my mind here.’ They go into the sitting room and Amber gestures at her to take the sofa.
She takes off her coat and sits down. ‘Any news about Mabel?’
‘Yes and no.’ Amber sits in the armchair. ‘The police contacted Seth’s family and they knew Terri, rather liked her apparently. His mum remembered her full name and where she worked. To cut a long story short, she went on sick leave with stress months ago and never came back. Luckily, the company still had an address for her – only a mile or so from here.’
‘And? Did they go round? Any sign of Mabel?’
‘No. The flat was deserted. However, the police accessed her financial records, and in the week before Mabel was taken, she bought loads of baby equipment.’
Ruby gasps. ‘Oh my God. Then it’s true, she has got her.’
‘So it would seem …’
She digests the news for a few seconds. ‘But that’s amazing, it’s a really good sign. If she bought baby equipment, it means she’s taking care of her – that she’s still alive.’
‘That’s what DI Benedict said, but I’m still so worried. What if something goes wrong? If she finds out the police are looking for her, she might—’
‘No, they’ll be careful. They won’t just barge in all guns blazing.’
‘I guess … They’ve got to find her first. They’re searching hotels, holiday lets, caravan sites, Airbnbs and stuff, but so far, nothing.’
‘And what about Seth?’
Amber shakes her head. ‘He’s completely disappeared.’ She chokes back a tear. ‘I’m still hoping it’s a coincidence that he’s