Read Online Father Unknown by Fay Sampson - Free Book Online

real father? You remember? Reynard Woodman.’
    â€˜Kevin Gamble, before he got famous.’ Suzie’s eyes questioned the others. ‘Would she?’
    Nick shrugged. ‘Depends how close they still are.’
    â€˜She used to go and see him once a fortnight,’ Millie said. ‘Stay the weekend. Lucky cow. Reynard’s a bundle of fun. Or he used to be when he lived here.’
    â€˜Don’t they get on now?’
    â€˜She doesn’t talk about him so much nowadays. If I ask her how her weekend was, she just sort of mutters “OK”. There was one good day. Her aunt came over and took her shopping in Selfridges in Birmingham. But otherwise . . . I told her, if she doesn’t want to go any more, she could let me go instead. I think he’s fabulous.’
    â€˜Why don’t you try ringing his number? In case she has gone there.’
    Millie’s eyes widened. ‘Could I? Speak to Reynard Woodman?’ Her tone was almost reverential. ‘Thanks, Mum! That’s a brilliant idea.’ She made for the door. ‘But I still can’t understand why she’s not answering her mobile. It’s been switched off since I saw her on Wednesday. She hasn’t even sent me a single text.’
    â€˜That’s little short of a miracle,’ said Nick. ‘Girls your age seem to spend half their lives on the phone. Sounds as if she’s going out of her way not to let anyone find out where she is.’
    â€˜Why would she do that to me ?’
    â€˜I don’t know, love,’ Suzie comforted her. ‘She’s obviously upset. She probably wants some time to think about it. Sort herself out. She’ll get back to you, I’m sure.’
    â€˜That man!’ Millie burst out. ‘Mr bloody Dawson. All the time I was talking to Tamara’s mum he was there. Sort of looming in the background. He didn’t say anything. But he was listening, all right. And Mrs Dawson kept looking round at him. Like she was frightened of saying the wrong thing.’
    â€˜Hey, easy,’ Nick put in. ‘If Tamara’s really disappeared, they’ll be as upset as you are. I don’t think I’d be behaving normally if you’d done a runner.’
    â€˜If she has run away,’ Prudence said, ‘they’d tell your police, wouldn’t they? Don’t you worry, Millie. They’ll find her.’
    â€˜Well, I’m going to ring Reynard Woodman,’ Millie said. ‘What’s the number for directory enquiries?’
    They were drinking tea on the patio when she came back. Millie’s face was sullen, her anger only just under control.
    â€˜He’s ex-directory.’ She threw herself into an empty chair. ‘Why? It’s like walking up to a building and all the doors slam shut and the lights go out. Why can’t I reach her?’
    â€˜I’m sure her mother will have his number.’
    â€˜I don’t fancy going back to ask. She practically threw me off the doorstep last time. I mean, I’ve been going round to Tamara’s house for years, and it was like she didn’t want to know me.’
    â€˜Look, he’s bound to have a website. That’ll tell us how to contact him. I’ll check it out.’
    She went to her computer and came back a few minutes later. ‘No joy, I’m afraid. It says all enquiries should be addressed to his agent. I’m not sure this is the sort of query I’d want to do through a third party.’
    â€˜What’s her father like?’ Prudence asked.
    â€˜Do you mean her real father?’ Suzie asked. ‘Kevin?’
    â€˜Mum!’ Millie protested. ‘Nobody else calls him Kevin Gamble any more. He’s Reynard Woodman now. Author of The Secret of Humbledown Forest, and all that series .’
    Prudence looked apologetically blank. ‘I’m sorry?’
    â€˜He writes children’s books. I used to love them when I was