Page 6 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Do you want me to go and have a drive round there?’

Judith’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘Would you?’

‘Of course.’ He slipped his feet back into his work boots. ‘I’ll be five minutes. Or maybe ten,’ he smiled as he left the house, closing the door firmly behind him.

Judith chewed her bottom lip and her frown deepened. She was struggling to hold back the tears. Alice wasn’t a fan of bad weather, or the dark. She’d be so scared out alone in weather like this.

6:10pm

The front door opened and slammed closed. Judith had been in the kitchen, keeping herself busy by making a start on the tea. She ran out into the hallway to find Geoff standing on the doormat. He was soaked from the storm, water dripping down his face.

‘Where is she?’ Judith asked, tears pricking her eyes.

He shook his head. ‘I went to the library, and it’s all closed up. I came back the long way by the Co-op and didn’t see a soul. I even got out of the van and went down that little alley by the pub to see if she was sheltering in the bus stop. There’s no sign of her.’

Judith’s bottom lip wobbled. ‘Oh no, Geoff, what if something’s happened to her? Should I call the police?’

Geoff thought for a moment. His face was expressionless. ‘I think you probably should.’

Judith picked up the receiver and dialled three nines. Her hand was shaking as she placed it to her ear.

‘Emergency, which service do you require?’ the caller asked.

‘Police, please.’

She was connected to the local station. It was answered after five rings.

‘North East Police,’ a tired voice said.

‘I think my daughter might be missing.’

‘You think?’

‘She hasn’t come home.’

‘How old is your daughter, madam?’

‘Eighteen.’

‘And how late is she?’

‘I don’t know. She’s always in when I come home from work. I’ve been back over an hour, and she isn’t here.’

Geoff moved from the mat, kicking off his boots, and went to stand by his wife. He put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

‘Have you tried calling her friends or other family members?’

‘There isn’t…’ Judith struggled. ‘There isn’t anyone for me to ring.’

‘Are you saying your daughter doesn’t have any friends, madam?’

‘She… she finds it difficult…’

‘Is there any reason you’re worried why your daughter hasn’t returned home?’

‘She’s Down’s syndrome. She has some mental disabilities. I’m just worried with the storm that she may have panicked and got into trouble.’

‘OK, madam. The storm is providing many problems for us this evening, but I will send someone over to you. Now, I must warn you, there may be a delay. I’m going to need to take some details.’