out there who got hold of a pint of human blood.’ PC Page’s voice is grim. ‘Unless we can rule it out as some kind of sick joke, we can’t take any risks. If you see anything even remotely out of place, please call us.’
Her words remind me of the woman in Brighton. You’re not safe. Someone’s watching you. You’re in danger. Then I realise that I haven’t even told her.
‘There’s something else I should have mentioned, but at the time, it seemed too unbelievable. It happened the day that Matt disappeared. I was walking through the Lanes, when a woman stopped me. She told me I was being watched. Then she told me Matt wasn’t who I thought he was and that I was in danger. It was strange. I’d never met her before but she was most insistent.’
There’s a brief silence. ‘You’ve no idea who she was?’
‘I’d never seen her before.’ I hesitate, then blurt it out. ‘But now, I can’t help thinking, what if she’s right?’
*
With Matt missing, nowhere feels safe. Even as I walk down my garden, I imagine someone hidden, watching me. I try to work, but it’s impossible to concentrate. Both Cath and Lara call me, brief conversations which end abruptly because I have no news, nor can I think about anything else. Eventually, when I call Matt’s boss, David, he sounds flustered.
‘I wish I could help you, Amy. To be honest, he’s taken quite a few days off recently and it’s left me in rather an awkward position.’
As he speaks, a chill runs through me. He took some time off to look at wedding venues, but that was months ago. ‘But that was a while ago – when we were booking our wedding. The only days he hasn’t been in, he’s had client meetings.’
David’s silent for a moment. ‘I think you’ll find it’s been more than that. Maybe I’m exaggerating – I’ll have to check.’ He sighs. ‘The point is, I need him in the office. The project he’s been overseeing is with one of our biggest clients. So far, I’ve fobbed them off, but I can’t for much longer. If he doesn’t turn up soon, I need someone to take over from him.’
Far from reassuring me, the conversation leaves me floundering. Matt has always been meticulous, reliable. It’s only been a couple of days – David’s being unreasonable. ‘I’m sure there’s a good reason. There has to be. Matt’s good at his job.’ Clutching my phone, I remember what PC Page said to me. ‘How has he seemed to you? Has he said anything that’s out of character? It’s just that the police were asking.’
‘They’ve already asked me the same questions. Over the last month, we haven’t seen much of each other. I was in Dubai last week, and Matt’s either been here in the office or occasionally in London, managing this project. He’s seemed the same as usual, Amy. He’s mentioned your wedding once or twice – he said nothing to indicate he wasn’t looking forward to it. I certainly wasn’t aware of anything wrong.’
My hands grip my phone. ‘Have you told the police all of this? They asked me if he might be having second thoughts.’
‘I can’t imagine that’s the case.’ David’s voice is softer.
Hot tears are pouring down my cheeks. ‘Can you please tell the police that? I need them to know how out of character this is.’
‘I will.’ David pauses. ‘Try not to worry, Amy. I’m sure there’s an explanation. Let’s hope he turns up soon – for both our sakes.’
‘Yes.’ Wiping my face, I remember Matt’s backpack. ‘Have you checked inside his office? I wondered if he might have left his backpack there.’
‘I looked after speaking to the police. It isn’t here, I’m afraid.’
‘What about his car?’ I’m desperate for any clues that might shed light on what’s happened. ‘Have you noticed if it’s still parked outside?’
‘It isn’t. He must have picked it up that evening at some point. When I came in yesterday, it had gone.’ He sounds regretful. ‘Look, I’m sorry, Amy – I have to go. I’m already running late for a meeting. Let’s hope he turns up very soon.’
After the call, the rest of the morning passes interminably slowly. In an attempt to distract myself, I go to my polytunnel to begin planting seeds. It’s a task I usually love, imagining the soft colours of California poppies, bright sunflowers, the nasturtiums that always remind me of the south of France, all of which