New Encounters (23 page)

David lifted the silver dome off my plate. He has ordered me chicken in white wine sauce and some rice and a side order of chips. I was more interested in getting the wine open, David refused to have any. He said he doesn’t drink, and I told him he should start or he will get thirsty, which made us both giggle. Then I it hit me... Ash won’t be giggling, or even worse. I put my head down and the ever astute David said.

‘Bella, don’t feel guilty because you have had a little giggle. Its things like that , that get us through tough times.’

‘Thank you David’

‘No need to thank me. But if anyone can find Ash, we will.’

‘And the police.’

‘Yeah and the police.’

‘David, can I ask you something else?’

‘Fire away.’

‘The Police... well... when they were interviewing Emma, they asked her if she had met Robert. You don’t think that they are suspicious do you? I mean Robert’s away.’

‘Well, this is the thing. Robert is away so he has an alibi if need be. What exactly did they say to Emma?’

‘Urmmm. Something about if she had met him and I think that was it. To be honest, I can’t remember’

‘No problem. Don’t worry about it.’

We have the plasma on in the background as we eat our dinners. I know my body needs food and I try to eat some, but can barely manage a few mouthfuls. I pick at some chips. David is a typical bloke and polished his plate off. He declined my offer to finish mine off, but did tell me I should try and eat more. So I squeezed two more mouthfuls in to pacify him, but really... I can’t eat anymore. I can feel my stomach churning as it is. Out of the corner of my eye I see a picture of Ash on the screen and I drop my knife and fork and rush over to the remote control to turn the volume up. I can hear my chair falling to the floor in my rush. I find the volume button and press the plus symbol.

‘We know that the last sighting of Ashleigh was on Saturday afternoon in the local supermarket. You can see she is buying some food here.’ The screen changed to Ash at the checkout. ‘She was wearing her jeans, black knee boots, and a white T-shirt on Saturday. Ashleigh is 5ft 7in without heels on, and would probably be 5ft 10in with these heels on. We do not know what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. We are also unsure as to the time of her disappearance but we believe it was Sunday morning before 8am. If anyone has any information we ask that you contact the Police immediately.’

A reporter stands up and asks . ‘Can you tell us why you think she has been kidnapped? Could Ashleigh not have gone missing of her own accord?’

‘That is definitely not the case. Ashleigh has definitely been taken as there are signs of a struggle.’

Signs of a struggle, the image flashes in my head to the blood on the floor and the signs of a struggle in the bedroom..... my poor poor Ash.

‘Time is of the essence and we implore anyone with any information at all to come forward. Thank you’

With that the news reporter moves on to the next subject, which is the banking issues in the country. It puts all that into perspective. I don’t care what the rate is, or how bad the recession is in, all I care about is getting Ash back and safely.

‘Are you ok Bella?’

‘Sorry, I am fine. Just a little shocked at seeing Ash on the T.V. It kinda makes it all real. I feel like today I have been stuck in a nightmare, but now... now it’s real. ‘

‘Right, I am going to go, remember what I said about the door and checking to see who it is first. Just call my number if you need me for anything.’

‘You have been amazing today. Thanks David’ .I kissed him on the cheek and he blushed.

‘Oh no bother. See you in the morning. I will bring your breakfast at 8am. Try to get some sleep.’

‘I will. Night’

He goes out of the room and suddenly I feel alone. I run the bath and step into it, in a vain attempt to wash away the day. It’s not going to happen though is it. I feel like I could cry, but I think there are no more tears left in there. I just sit in the bath, staring at the tile wall opposite me. Sipping on my glass of wine. As I step out I can hear my phone ringing.

‘Please be good news ...... please be good news... ‘

As I reach the phone and look at the display I feel a stab of disappointment followed by guilt. I have barely spoken to him today.

‘Hi Robert’

‘Hi baby. How are you feeling?’

‘Empty to be honest. Tired as well, its been a day from hell. How are you?’

‘I’m ok. Just worried, and wish I was with you.’

‘Me too Robert. Me too. David has been amazing by the way.’

‘Yeah, he is a great guy. I am pleased he has looked after you so well. He said you were sick today after your panic attack.’

‘Urmm.... oh god yeah. I forgot about that.’

‘He said you barely touched your dinner as well. You need to keep your strength up’

‘I know, but I don’t really care. Wow, does David give you an hourly update.’

‘Nearly yeah.’

‘Creepy’

‘It’s not creepy! Bella, I need to know you are alright, but I also need to know everything that is going on in regards to looking for Ash so I can do my best to help’

I immediately feel guilty.

‘I am sorry. I know you are. I love you’

‘I love you. Go to bed now though. okay?’

‘Yeah, I want to get up early so I can call the DC and see what the latest is. It has been on the TV here so hopefully that will help. ‘

‘Yeah.’ Its strange but he sounds a little off.

‘Night.’

‘Night baby’

I get into bed with my wine, cuddling it like I would a teddy bear. I put the TV on and try to find something to watch. But I just flick through the channels. There isn’t any programme that could be on, that I would watch anyway. I have a million thoughts running through my head. Who would hurt Ash? Who would take Ash? Where is she now? Is she.... is she ok? Is she frightened somewhere? I close my eyes.... and hope she’s okay. I put my glass down and close my eyes. My head hurts so much.

CHAPTER 28

I wake up at 7am, with a jump. Where am I? Why am I hear. With a wave of sadness that falls over me I realise what happened yesterday. For a tiny second, everybody in my life was safe. Now, with a horrid realisation, I realise that one of the main people in my life, someone who I love dearly is in danger. David said he would bring breakfast at 8am, so I better get myself ready. I jump in the shower and wash my hair. I blow dry it, but really it looks a mess. I put on a bit of makeup to try and keep things normal. The room is pleasant enough as hotel rooms go. Everything in a non offensive colour, plasma screen TV and the table and chairs where David and I ate dinner last night. But everything feels empty. Thankfully my room comes with a kettle and some packets of coffee. I make myself a coffee so I don’t sound like a man when I start calling everyone. The first person on my list is the Detective.

‘Hi Detective, I am sorry to call you so early. It’s Bella, Bella Stone. I just wondered if you had any update?’

‘Hi Bella. You are early. We think we have a sighting in Dover on Monday morning. But we are just looking into it to verify it.’

‘Dover? Oh god...’ I start to panic. ‘Why Dover?’

‘Well, if the sighting is correct it means that they have taken Ash out of the country, which complicates things somewhat.’

‘Oh my god. Is there anything I can do? I don’t care if its walking the streets asking people if they have seen her, going door to door. Anything. I just want to find her. Find her safe and sound.’

‘We have everything in hand. There is nothing that you can do right now. Just keep thinking if there is anyone that would want to hurt Ashleigh. Anyone that she has fallen out with.’

‘Yeah, I have been thinking about that, but honestly... even strangers would smile at Ash. She just is that kind of person.’

‘What about Robert?’ Ok... this has thrown me. Maybe he has decided that it would be good to have Robert help.

‘What do you mean?’

‘How long have you known Robert?’

‘Well... not long. Forgive me, but why do you want to know about Robert?’

‘Why are you being defensive?’ I am starting to feel defensive now.

‘I don’t mean to be defensive, but my best friend has gone missing and possibly hurt and all you can do is ask me about Robert? I just don’t see the relevance or the reason of interest.’

‘Where is Robert at the moment?’

‘He is in the middle east on business with his brother.’

‘You have my business card. Keep it, and if you ever need help. Call me. I need to go and check out some possible leads. ‘

‘Ok, and please call me if you hear anything.’

‘I will bye’.

As I hang up, I feel overwhelmed. Why on earth would he say if I needed help I had to call him. It’s ridiculous, it’s as if he is making out that Robert has done something. This is ridiculous. I love Robert, and he loves me. He would never hurt Ash. Besides I was there when he left with Giuseppe to fly out to the Middle East for business. I shake my head, and replay the conversation, over and over again. This is ... well quite frankly stupid. I text Emma and Sarah and ask both come to the hotel. I want to be with people who know Ash.

There is a knock at the door, the chain is still on the door from last when David left so I look through the peep hole and it is David. So I unslip the chain and swing the door open. David strolls in with another tray.

‘Morning Bella. I wasn’t sure what you wanted this morning, so I got you coffee, orange juice, toast, cereal and a cooked breakfast.’

‘Thanks David. What are you having? ‘

‘I haven’t sorted mine out yet.’

‘Well, why don’t you have the cooked breakfast and I will settle for the toast. There is no way I can eat all of it.’

‘If you don’t mind?’

‘Of course not.’

He sits down at the table with me, I can see him watching me.

‘Bella, is there something wrong?’

‘I called the DC this morning, he said that there had been a possible sighting in Dover.’

‘Dover? I presume they are going to verify the sighting?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Bella... what else is it?’

‘Well, when I spoke to the DC, he was asking about Robert again. Where he was, how long I had known him.... and then he said if I needed help I could always call him. I trust Robert, and I love Robert with all my heart. I know he would never hurt me’

‘Wow...Robert loves you Bella.  I have worked for Robert for many years, and he has never loved anyone like he loves you. He would never harm or hurt you. He would never hurt or harm Ash either. You must know that’

I feel a little embarrassed now, and nod at him and focus on my toast. Of course Robert wouldn’t hurt me or Ash.

‘So what are you going to do after breakfast Bella?’

‘Well, I have text Emma and Sarah, so I am hoping they will both come round here so we can go through what we know and if we can do anything.’

Its David’s turn to nod now. I text Robert.

*Morning Robert, hoping that Emma and Sarah will meet me at this hotel so we can go over everything. xx*

I carry on eating my toast as David demolishes the last of the sausages and eggs. My phone beeps and it makes me jump.

*Morning Bella. Let me know how you get on. I wish I was there to hold you x*
*me too x*

Then I get a text off Sarah and Emma.

*Be there in 30 minutes xx*

*Be there in about 20 minutes x*

I put the phone down. I feel distance from Robert, and not just in physical miles. David cleared our plates back onto the tray and said he would take it with him. As he goes out of the room I walk over and put the chain back on the door. I look around the room and can’t help feeling claustrophobic, and as though I have a serious bout of cabin fever. I have only been in here for less than 24 hours, but I just want to run out. Run away from everything and run up a hill before screaming my lungs out. Helpless.... I feel just simply helpless. But I need to stay strong and do whatever I can to help find her. Was it Ash that was spotted in Dover? My god... if it was... where and why are they taking her away.

As I sit there wondering whether or not there is anything I can do.  If this police officer, Detective or whatever he is, confirms the sighting then maybe I should go to Dover. Follow the trail. I will walk over hot coals if that’s what it will take. Anything... whatever it is.

There is a bang at the door, and I look through the peep hole. There stands Emma and Sarah, and they look exhausted like I do. I open the door and the three of us hug each other. Wordless..... there is no need for words. Not right now. We cry together, frightened together. Walking through to my room, I call room service and order coffee for us all. Sitting in silence until it arrives. It seems we are all struggling with trying to string coherent sentences together. Another bang at the door, as I go to the door I look through the peephole and I see it is room service. I let him in and he settles the coffee on the table and makes his exit. Emma looks at me and says