Abigail

by El Edwards

  “You little …”

  “Can you blame us?” Louise asked, her eyes wet with tears. “It’s just too funny. We couldn’t let you go out again without at least hearing all the gossip.”

  I grabbed one of the strawberries from the bowl on the table and bit into it. “Well if it gets me table service at breakfast, it might be worth it.”

  “So go on then, tell us all about it,” said Grace.

  I shrugged. “Not much to tell. She’s called Tortoise.” I gave them both a stern look, daring them to giggle. “She’s five, Beverly’s had her since she was a puppy.”

  “Do you think she’d let us take it for a walk?” Grace was uncharacteristically animated. “I’ve never seen a sausage dog before, except in YouTube videos.”

  “I’ve got to find her first, remember?”

  “Well yeah, but you always do.”

  I was touched by my daughter’s faith but I didn’t share her optimism. “If she really has been stolen she could be long gone by now.”

  “Ha, ha, good one Mum!” Louise was laughing again.

  “It’s not funny Lou. Her poor owner’s distraught.”

  “But with such little legs.” Louise looked from me to Grace. “Long gone?” She started giggling to herself as she wandered around the kitchen, picking up plates and putting them in the dishwasher.

  “Ignore her,” Grace said. “Do you want some help? I could come with you when you knock on doors if you like?”

  “Really?” I felt my spirits lift. It wasn’t often that either of the girls took much interest in my work and it would be lovely to have company. Door to door could get pretty repetitive. “That would be great, thanks! Let me finish this then I’ll go and get ready.”

  I quickly finished my breakfast before rushing back upstairs to get dressed, keen to get going before Grace changed her mind.

  Twenty minutes later I was starting to regret my daughter’s offer of help. I was swiftly coming to the conclusion that working alone was much more efficient. We’d only spoken to three people and if I had to listen to her complain about how cold she was for much longer I was likely to lose the plot.

  I sighed. “How about we go for a coffee to warm up?” It was Saturday after all, there was only so much work one could be expected to do on the weekend and it would be nice to sit and chat.

  “Make it a hot chocolate and you’re on. I know just the place!” Grace’s eyes lit up as she led me in the direction of a pokey cafe. “You get the drinks in, I’ll find us a table upstairs.”

  Before I could protest, Grace turned and headed up a narrow flight of stairs into the belly of the building. I looked around as I waited in the queue. This place had to be a fire hazard and I shuddered to imagine my children spending countless hours with their friends in this death trap but quickly shook the thought away. I knew I had a tendency to be overprotective when it came to Grace and Louise.

  Tray loaded with drinks and a custard slice each, I carefully edged my way upstairs and soon spotted Grace sitting at a table near the window.

  “Oooh custard slice, yummy. Thanks Mum.”

  I took a sip of my coffee and was forced to admit that it was good. “How’d you know about this place?”

  “Me and the girls come here sometimes on a Saturday. The hot chocolate is to die for!”

  “Not literally I hope!”

  “What?” Grace looked confused.

  “Nothing.” I paused. “So how are things with you?” It wasn’t often that I got time alone with either of my girls and I was keen to make the most of the opportunity.

  Grace shrugged. “Alright I guess.”

  “School going okay? Not long ’till the exams now.”

  Grace and Louise were preparing for their A-levels. Louise had drawn up revision timetables and highlighted the relevant sections of her study guides months ago. Her bedroom was like an Aladdin’s cave, the walls covered in charts and checkboxes. Grace, by contrast, appeared to be taking the laid back approach.

  She shrugged again. “It’s fine Mum, honest.”

  “It’s just, you don’t seem to have done much in the way of revision yet love.” I chose my words carefully, keen not to compare her to Louise.

  “I’ve got it all under control. Now tell me about these micro-pigs. Did Rob say where you get them from?”

  And with that the conversation was over. I knew better than to push Grace. She was very bright, they both were, but if she got it into her head she was being steered in a specific direction, there was a better than average chance she’d overreact and throw the whole lot away. The last thing I needed right now was teenage histrionics.

  I smiled, took a deep breath, and started to tell Grace everything I knew about the missing pets. I just had to hope I was doing the right thing by not pushing her. She was nearly an adult but that didn’t stop me from worrying about my headstrong daughter.

  THREE

  By the time Monday morning rolled round again, I decided I had more than enough to worry about, without giving in to panic attacks about Grace’s study habits, or lack there of. Rob had phoned offering to take me out to lunch. Usually this meant one of two things. Either he wanted to tap me for information or warn me off a case. Seeing as my house to house enquires had drawn exactly zero leads, I was afraid he was about to try and talk me out of wasting any more time looking for Tortoise. The more he pushed me to give up, the more likely I was to dig my heels in, but secretly I was afraid he might be right.

  Rob was waiting for me in our favourite railway cafe, two coffees already on the table. He smiled as I sat down and pushed one in my direction. “Thought you might need this.”

  “Thanks.” I took a sip, waiting for Rob to tell me what he wanted. When he didn’t speak I started looking through the menu. Two could play at his game and I was determined not to be the first to break the silence.

  The seconds ticked by before Rob eventually cleared his throat. “How’s it going then?”

  “It?” I said, feigning ignorance. I could guess exactly what he meant but I wasn’t about to make it easy for him.

  Rob smiled. “Come on, don’t make me say it.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Fine, have it your way.” He took a deep breath. “Any news on the missing pup?”

  “She’s still missing.”

  “And?”

  I shrugged. “And nothing. I knocked on a few doors, asked around, but no-one’s seen her.”

  “I guess it would be easy to miss such a little dog.” He hesitated. “Anyone mention the pigs?”

  “Nope. Are you going to tell me what this is really about?”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, since when did CID take such an active interest in a few missing pets? Something’s going on and I want to know what.”

  Rob looked at the floor.

  “Ha! I knew it! Come on Rob, spill!”

  He opened his mouth and was about to speak when his phone on the table in front of us burst into life. He glanced at the screen before grabbing it and standing up. “Sorry Charlie, got to take this.”

  I watched as he rushed outside and started pacing up and down in front of the cafe.

  A waitress arrived at the table to take our order. “What can I get you?”

  I glanced up at Rob’s still pacing form. “Can you give us a minute? I’m not sure what he wants. Another coffee while I wait would be wonderful though. Thanks!”

  I sipped at my second coffee and considered all the possible reasons Rob and his colleagues might have for investigating stolen pets and came up blank. If it had been valuable livestock I could have convinced myself there was a case to be made but tiny pigs and a sausage dog? It made no sense. I couldn’t wait to hear Rob’s explanation but when I looked up again I saw that he’d gone, leaving me to pay for the coffees. Typical!

  I typed a quick text message. Where did you go?!? By the time I’d finished my coffee, he still hadn’t come back, or replied to my text, so I paid f
or the drinks and headed in the direction of Beverly’s house.

  When Grace and I had visited Beverly’s street on Saturday, parking had been a nightmare but this time the road looked deserted. I left my car outside Beverly’s house and knocked on her neighbour’s door, two houses down. No-one had been home when I knocked on Saturday and after listening to a dog barking next door for almost a full minute, I was about to give up again. As I turned to try next door, movement from behind the glass door caught my attention and I knocked one more time. The outline of a figure appeared behind the glass and when the door was finally opened, I understood why it had taken so long for my knock to be answered. The lady standing in front of me was about my age but her face looked almost grey.

  I held out one of my business cards. “My name’s Charlie Diamond. I’m helping one of your neighbours, Beverly? Her dog’s gone missing.”

  The lady smiled but when she spoke it was clear she was in pain. “Do you want to come in? Probably easier.”

  Without waiting for an answer she turned and slowly edged her way along the corridor from her front door. I stepped into her home, closed the door behind me, and followed her into a sitting room. She gestured to a sofa and I sat down, waiting while she made herself comfortable on a chair opposite.

  I watched as she took an oxygen tube from the side of her chair. When she was all hooked up she smiled again. “Sorry, I can’t stand for long, especially not without this.” She gestured to the tank tucked away at the side of her chair. “Now you were saying something about Tortoise?”

  “You know about the dog then?” Relief flooded my body as she nodded her head. Hers was the first positive reaction I’d had.

  “I used to go round there, before I got sick. You know she can’t be left alone for too long?”

  “Why not?” I’d always thought of sausage dogs as being quite low maintenance pets, it wasn’t like they’d need a lot of walking, so this was news to me.

  She smiled. “Poor old girl, if she’s on her own too long she gets anxious. That’s why they’re better in pairs.”

  “But Tortoise lives alone?”

  The lady nodded. “Ever since the other one died. Before I moved here so I don’t know much about it. I’m Claire, by the way.”

  “Nice to meet you Claire.” I stood up and shook her hand. “When did you last see Tortoise?”

  “It’s been ages now, probably six months, maybe a bit more.”

  “And Beverly? Do you see her much?”

  “Oh yes, she pops in here a couple of times a week. Brings me bits and bobs from the shop. She’s so kind.”

  “She told you her suspicions about the dog’s disappearance?”

  Claire nodded. “Why would someone do something like that? Beverly wouldn’t hurt a fly, it’s so cruel.”

  “I’m afraid your guess is as good as mine.” I felt myself hesitating. “You believe her then? That she’s been stolen.”

  “Of course.” Realisation flashed across her face. “You don’t? Why not?”

  “I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to explore all possible angles. Any chance she could have accidentally wandered off?”

  “No way!” Claire shook her head emphatically. “Beverly adores Tortoise. Someone’s taken her. I just know it.”

  Something about the way Claire spoke registered in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was yet but I was starting to get an inkling that maybe Rob was right and there was more to this missing dog than I’d been led to believe.

  FOUR

  After thanking Claire for her time and leaving her my card in case she heard anything about Tortoise, I knocked on Beverly’s door. She wasn’t a paying client but I wanted to keep her updated, even if I was currently drawing a blank. It had only been a couple of days but I loved to get an early break. The current dead ends were frustrating and I needed Beverly to know I was doing all I could. I also wanted to know more about their day to day routine. With Beverly out at work and Tortoise unable to be left alone for long, there had to be someone else helping to look after her elusive pet.

  I knocked on Beverly’s door but there was no answer. After knocking a second time and with still no response, I decided to wander round the back. The side gate was locked so I climbed on the wall and peeked over. Online research had told me dachshunds liked to burrow so I’d expected Beverly’s garden to be a mess but hers was immaculate. It was possible she had an area for the dog round the other side out of sight but there was nothing about her setup that screamed “sausage dog” to the casual observer. When I’d spoken to Beverly’s next door neighbour on Saturday, she hadn’t even known Beverly had a dog. Her garden wasn’t overlooked. If Tortoise had been stolen, this had to have been planned.

  It was time to speak to Beverly again. She wasn’t home so I decided to try her in the charity shop. She seemed to love her job so it wouldn’t surprise me to find her there. Having got myself a parking space I decided to leave the car where it was and head to the shop on foot. It was a warm day and the fresh air would do me good. As I walked I tried to imagine the route the dog might have taken, if she had in fact escaped, but it was impossible to guess. Besides, this was a close-knit community. Even if no-one had known about Tortoise, I liked to think someone would have handed a wandering dog into the police or local vet.

  The bell above the shop door rang as I opened it and the two ladies inside turned to look at me. Beverly had told me she had a whole crew of different helpers every day of the week. I held out my card.

  “Charlie Diamond, I’m here to see Beverly if she’s around?”

  One of the ladies took the card and looked at it. “Charlie Diamond, private investigator. Oooh, what’s she been up to now?” She leaned in and spoke in a whisper. “Have you been tailing her?”

  I laughed. “No, nothing like that. I’m helping her find her dog.”

  “Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “She’s out the back. Show Charlie the way would you Jill?”

  I followed Jill as she led me through the shop and out into the storage room at the back.

  “Bev love? Someone here to see you. It’s your investigator.” She turned to me. “Go in, she won’t be a minute.”

  I did as I was told and walked into Beverly’s kingdom. Judging by the bags littering the floor near the door, they’d just recently had a donation. Cuddly toys, if the outline in the bags were anything to go by. When I’d first met Beverly I’d been blown away by her attention to detail and ability to create order from apparent chaos. I knew it wouldn’t be long before order was restored.

  “Beverly?” I called out as I walked in but she didn’t reply. The sound of a flush coming from the belly of the building gave her away and I waited, expecting her to appear any minute.

  “Hi Charlie!” She smiled when she walked in to find me standing in her stock room. “Sorry, have you been here long?”

  I shook my head. “Just arrived. Wanted to let you know that I’ve spoken to a few of your neighbours. It’s not good news I’m afraid. No-one’s seen her.”

  I watched as her face, which was usually calm and composed, collapsed. She sunk into a chair and buried her face in her hands.

  “I’m sorry.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m not giving up though.”

  She lifted her head slightly and gave me a watery smile. “What will you do now?”

  “Keep looking. Someone must have seen something.” I hesitated, not sure if she was up to too much questioning. “I wanted to ask you about Tortoise’s routine. She liked to play outside?”

  “In the summer, but right now she’s indoors. Or, she was.” Beverly’s eyes filled with tears.

  “You mean she was stolen from your house?”

  Beverly nodded.

  “You didn’t mention that. If you think someone’s been inside your house, that’s important.” I sighed and spoke more softly. “I wish you’d told me.”

  “Sorry, I thought you knew. No-one would keep a little dog like Tortoise outside
in this weather.”

  After mentally cursing my stupidity for not having asked about the dog’s living arrangements sooner, I decided that late was still better than never. I also knew what I would do next. Rob had told me to let him know about any developments but if he wanted the inside scoop it was time for him to make himself useful.

  I smiled at Beverly. “Cheer up, this is actually great news. At least now I have a line of enquiry.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It means it’s time to call in a favour. What time do you finish here?”

  “Not ’til about six. I need to close up and then run the hoover around.”

  “Perfect! I’ll be outside your house at six sharp.” I turned and started to head towards the door.

  “What favour?” When I didn’t reply she called to me again. “Charlie? What favour? Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  “You’ll see. Six o’clock.”

  I skipped off in the direction of Beverly’s house. I had a lot to do between now and then if I was going to keep my promise to Beverly and I knew exactly who was going to help me, whether he liked it or not.

  The phone rang just once before he answered. I didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. “Rob? Got a lead.” I gave him Beverly’s address. “Meet me there at five. I’ll explain everything when I see you.”

  Click here to continue reading.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Irrepressible silver-lining-spotter. Coffee addict. Fun-loving Jesus geek. Doctor Who nerd. Lover of smiles, El (short for 'Eleanor' but it's too hard for most people to spell!) Edwards is a writer from South Wales in the UK.

  She's written several fiction novels. She also writes words for other people.

  When she's not writing herself into a corner, you’ll find her shamelessly watching Doctor Who while enjoying a flat white (it’s a bit like a latté but with less milk), taking her two dogs for a walk in the rain (there’s a reason why the grass is always so green in Wales!) or playing unpaid taxi driver for one of her three children. (Yes, it’s a cliche she desperately wish wasn’t true!)