Sue Fortin - Schoolgirl Missing - Discover the dark side of family life in the most gripping page-turner of 2019

‘Oh, please, I don’t want you getting into trouble if it’s confidential information,’ said Neve.

‘I want to help. Don’t worry,’ reassured Jake. ‘No one need ever know. It can be our little secret.’ His hand brushed her arm as he moved to pull out the blue office chair. ‘And thanks for the reminder about the window. Must get that fixed. Do you want to sit down?’

‘No, I’m fine,’ said Neve. She perched on the edge of the desk and waited patiently as Jake opened up the register for The Forum.

‘Right, here we go,’ he said, scrolling down the names. He tapped the enter key and turned the screen to face Neve. ‘Lee Farnham.’

Neve gave a gasp at the name and again when she saw the picture smiling back at her. She looked up at Jake.

‘What’s up?’

Neve struggled to find words. She couldn’t say out loud what was really running around her head. She recognised the face immediately, despite the lapse of time. But she didn’t know him as Lee Farnham. She realised Jake was looking quizzically at her. ‘I … erm … I …’ Shit! Her mind was blank. Quick, think of something. ‘I thought … I mean, he’s older than I thought he would be, for some reason. Kit said he was older, but I thought he may be twenty, early twenties, he’s … erm … well, you know, older.’ She was gabbling.

‘Yeah, definitely older,’ said Jake. He moved the cursor to a box and double-clicked. ‘There, twenty-nine.’

Not only could Neve have told Jake his actual age without him having to look, she could have even recited his date of birth without hesitation. ‘Thanks,’ was all she said.

A voice from the studio calling out Jake’s name, made Neve jump.

‘Wait here,’ said Jake. He opened the door only enough for him to squeeze through. ‘All right, Stan. What’s up?’ He closed the door behind, leaving Neve alone in the room.

She turned to the screen and gave an involuntary shiver at the face looking back at her. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ she whispered.

As she looked at the details again, she noticed a phone number. Realising she had only a few seconds before Jake came back, Neve took out her phone and took a quick photograph of the screen.

Just as she put her phone back in her bag, the door opened, and Jake reappeared.

‘Just Stan, wanted to borrow some turps,’ he said, shuffling round to the computer screen and logging out of the system. ‘And don’t worry about Lee. I expect he was just making sure Poppy was all right. That’s his job.’

‘Yeah, sure. Thanks again,’ said Neve, with what she hoped was a convincing smile. ‘I’d better go.’

‘Neve,’ said Jake, turning to face her.

‘Yes?’

‘Remember, I’m here if you ever need me. Whatever the occasion. You do know that, don’t you?’

‘I do. And thank you.’ His kindness was touching, and Neve appreciated his concern.

‘I probably shouldn’t say this, and I’ll probably kick myself afterwards, but what the hell…’ began Jake.

‘You don’t have to say anything,’ said Neve, gently.

‘I do, because likewise, if I don’t, I’ll kick myself for that too.’

‘Looks like you’re in for a good kicking,’ said Neve, trying to make light of the situation, even though the laugh she tagged on was full of nerves.

‘You deserve to be happy, Neve,’ he said, taking her hand in his and cupping it with the other.

Neve looked down at their hands and placed her free hand on top of his, her thumb brushed the acrylic paint smeared across his knuckles. ‘I am happy,’ she said. ‘On the whole, I am.’

‘You deserve to be happier,’ said Jake. ‘I can—’

Neve made a shushing sound, cutting through the sentence, moving her hand on his cheek. ‘I know,’ she said, looking him directly in the eye. She resisted the urge to kiss him, instead disengaged herself from him and stepped away. She was dangerously close to giving in to her desire. Pausing in the doorway, she turned to him. ‘You’re a good man, Jake Rees.’

He gave a rueful look, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans. ‘I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing,’ he said and then added sincerely, ‘I meant what I said.’

‘I know.’

‘Go on then, or you’ll be late. Reassure that husband of yours that’s there’s nothing to worry about.’

Neve gave Jake a small smile. ‘Nothing to worry about at all.’

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