Read Online No Going Back by Lyndon Stacey - Free Book Online Page A

you.’
    â€˜Then why’s he suddenly started on about it again? Tell me that. He hasn’t said a word for weeks until today.’
    â€˜Well, it’s clearly been on his mind. He was very quiet all afternoon.’
    â€˜He’s been fine until now,’ she insisted, intent on fixing the blame.
    â€˜Well, Drew says you’ve been out quite a lot, so maybe you just haven’t noticed,’ Daniel countered, unwisely allowing himself to be drawn into the brewing row.
    â€˜How dare you criticize me? I’m young and I need a life of my own – my own friends. It was hard enough starting again after you dragged us all away from Bristol. Anyway, he’s never left alone, if that’s what you’re suggesting.’
    â€˜No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just meant that he’s a quiet lad anyway, and it would be easy to miss the signs if you were busy.’
    â€˜I know him far better than you ever have, or ever will, come to that,’ she said spitefully. ‘You were always too busy working all hours of the day and night. And now you see him once a fortnight and think you can tell me what he’s feeling! I don’t think so!’
    Daniel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Letting this degenerate into a slanging match would benefit no one. Besides, there was a measure of truth in what she said: he had worked long hours, and shifts were never easy. Sometimes between Drew’s school hours and his own work, he’d barely seen the boy for several days at a time.
    â€˜Are you seeing someone?’ he asked then, wondering if that was why she’d gone on the attack.
    There was a pause and then Amanda said with a note of uncertainty, ‘Drew didn’t tell you that. He doesn’t know about it. Have you been spying on me?’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous,’ Daniel said witheringly. ‘Do you think I haven’t got anything better to do?’
    â€˜Well, so what if I am seeing someone? What’s it got to do with you?’
    â€˜Nothing. But if you’re serious about this guy, I think you should tell Drew. Make him part of it. Maybe he’s feeling insecure.’
    â€˜My God! I don’t need relationship advice from you – of all people!’ she stated hotly. ‘All I need from you is that you stop filling his head with ideas that aren’t going to happen, ever! Do you understand me?’
    â€˜Loud and clear,’ Daniel said wearily. There was only ever one winner in an argument with Amanda. Over the years he’d learned that you just had to plant the seed of an idea and hope that she thought it over when she calmed down. And to be fair, she usually did.
    It was two days later, when he had finished a delivery near Launceston, that he first got possible news of Katya. He’d just climbed back into the cab and was checking the address of his next drop when he had a call on his mobile. A glance at the display told him nothing; the number was unknown to him.
    â€˜Hello?’
    â€˜Is that Daniel Whelan?’ A woman’s voice, clear and well modulated.
    â€˜Yes. Do I know you?’
    â€˜Not yet,’ came the reply. ‘I’m a friend of Tamzin Ellis. She might possibly have mentioned me. Hilary McEwen-Smith. I run a pony-trekking centre in Goats Tor.’
    â€˜Oh, yes. Yes, she did. Did she tell you about the girl I’m looking for?’
    â€˜Yes. That’s why I’m ringing. I had a girl who fits that description turn up looking for work this very morning.’
    â€˜So what did you do?’ Daniel held his breath. ‘Is she there now?’
    â€˜She is. I wouldn’t normally take someone on without a reference, but knowing you were looking for her, I told her I would give her a week’s trial. She seems a nice enough girl. Foreign, would that be right?’
    â€˜It would.’ Daniel could hardly believe his luck.
    â€˜And Tamzin says you’d