The Babysitter: A gripping psychological thriller with edge-of-your-seat suspense

by Sheryl Browne

‘I am a bit,’ Melissa admitted. ‘But then, I should really be counting my blessings. I can’t begin to imagine what the parents of that little girl must be going through. What the poor child might be going through.’

  Stopping at the patio doors, Melissa wrapped her arms about herself, a troubled look clouding her eyes, as if she were imagining it. As if someone like her, living her perfect life, could ever imagine what it was like to be so traumatised as a small child that you prayed to God to make you dead and take you to heaven.

  ‘Me neither.’ Smiling empathetically, though she was sure the little girl was better off where she was, Jade gently placed a hand on Melissa’s forearm. ‘Poor Mark. I hope he finds her.’

  ‘Oh God, I hope so, too.’ Melissa pulled in a shuddery breath. ‘He’ll be absolutely devastated. He can’t bear even the thought of children being hurt in any way.’

  ‘I know.’ Jade sighed, recalling again the first time she’d met him, the genuine grief in his eyes. ‘You can see he’s a caring man,’ she added quickly. ‘And he obviously adores his kids. I don’t envy him. Look, it’s only a suggestion, but why not let me babysit?’

  Melissa looked uncertain.

  ‘I have got my childcare qualifications, after all, so you might as well make use of me. And I can always call you if there’s a problem.’

  ‘Of course you do,’ she said, still looking a little uncertain. ‘But… are you sure? It’s a bit of a cheek.’

  ‘It’s no problem at all,’ Jade assured her. ‘Like I said, I’m here anyway. It’s the least I can do after all your kindness. And, to be honest, after this morning’s events, chilling out with a DVD sounds like heaven.’

  Melissa glanced through the patio doors to check on Poppy, who was already sitting cross-legged in front of the TV in anticipation of Beauty and the Beast. ‘You’ve got the job,’ she said, smiling gratefully.

  ‘I wish,’ Jade said, with a sigh. ‘I’m job hunting at the moment. But I’ve no idea how I’m actually going to apply for any jobs now I’m homeless.’

  Six

  MELISSA

  ‘I usually let her catnap until eight, and then wake her for her feed,’ Melissa said, dashing into the lounge to grab her sketch pad and pencil case from the coffee table. She looked around for her shoulder bag and then remembered she’d hung it on the stairs. Honestly, she’d swear to God that giving birth had addled her brain.

  ‘There’s milk in the fridge. I generally warm it in a bowl.’ Realising she was running late, she checked her watch – and dropped her sketch pad. ‘You’ll find one in—’

  ‘Melissa, I can manage,’ Jade assured her, reaching to pick up the pencils that had spilled from the pencil case as Melissa bent to retrieve her pad. ‘And anything I can’t find, Poppy can point me to. Right, Poppy?’

  ‘Yeth,’ Poppy said, around the thumb plugged into her mouth. ‘You can go now, Mummy.’

  Dismissed, thought Melissa, eyeing the ceiling and then smiling gratefully at Jade as she handed her pencils back to her. ‘Don’t miss me too much, will you?’ she said, going over to plant a kiss on Poppy’s cheek.

  ‘I won’t,’ Poppy said, attempting to peer around her at the TV.

  ‘Well, that’s reassuring.’ Melissa sighed, theatrically rolling her eyes at Jade.

  But rather than feeling put out by Poppy’s apparent indifference to her presence, Melissa was pleased. Jade, it seemed, had definitely won her over, which was a huge relief. Their last babysitter, the daughter of a friend, hadn’t been a hit, and Melissa had been reluctant to bring in another, which wasn’t conducive to she and Mark spending any quality time together. Jade had also been fabulous with Evie, feeding her earlier without a hiccup. She really was a natural with children.

  ‘Bed by seven thirty at the latest, young lady,’ she said to Poppy. ‘And don’t forget to brush your teeth.’

  ‘Mummeee…’ Poppy sighed exasperatedly. ‘We’re missing the film.’

  ‘Right, I can see where I’m not wanted.’ Shaking her head in amusement, Melissa headed for the door. ‘I’ll be back in time for Evie’s ten o’clock feed,’ she told Jade, and then stopped. ‘Damn! I forgot to get milk out the freezer for the morning.’

  ‘I’ll do it.’ Jade spun Melissa back towards the front door as she turned in the direction of the kitchen. ‘Go. Not too much licking of pencils or drooling.’

  Melissa laughed. ‘I’ll try not to,’ she assured her, and then hesitated again at the front door. You know, you’re quite welcome to stay a while if you need to, Jade. I mean, I wouldn’t want you to feel obliged to babysit just because you’re here, but… Well, we have space if you need it while you sort yourself out.’

  Jade beamed. ‘I’d love to, as long as you’re sure. It would be a huge weight off my mind.’

  ‘Positive.’ Melissa smiled warmly. ‘Just don’t let madam here wrap you around her little finger.’ She nodded towards Poppy, who was listening eagerly from the lounge doorway.

  ‘Does this mean you’re staying forever and ever, Jade?’ Poppy asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

  Jade exchanged a knowing glance with Melissa. ‘Well, not forever and ever,’ she said, turning back to her charge. ‘But for the moment, yes.’

  ‘Yippee!’ Poppy jumped with glee. ‘I told you. I told you.’

  ‘So you did,’ Jade said, steering her back into the lounge. She smiled at Melissa over her shoulder. ‘See you when you get back.’

  ‘Thanks, Jade. You’re a godsend. I’m sure Mark will be pleased you’re staying for a while,’ she called, dashing out.

  ‘Oh, I’m sure Mark will too.’ Smiling, Jade settled down on the sofa, extending her arm for Poppy to snuggle comfortably under.

  Seven

  MARK

  Driving home, Mark was thinking about Daisy Evans, the missing little girl. There had been no evidence of a forced entry, and he was considering the possible involvement of the parents in her disappearance, in particular the father’s. Although Michael Evans had been caught having sex with a girl who was only just past the age of consent, Mark believed he hadn’t known how old she was. The guy was an ex-footballer, and the girl was a member of his fan club. She was apparently besotted with him, and had told him she was eighteen. It didn’t make what he’d done much more palatable, but her friends had corroborated his version of events. He’d had pornographic images on his PC, but nothing illegal. No suspect images or messages on his phone. He also had an alibi for the time in which his daughter disappeared. Mark wasn’t enamoured of the man any more than he was of Cummings – who, laughably, had adopted a stance of moral outrage at Evans’ ‘obvious sexual exploitation of a sixteen-year-old’ – but the guy’s anguish had been palpable.

  The meeting with the mother had been harrowing. Mark’s initial assumption on learning the parents had been arguing, so drunk they hadn’t noticed their child was missing, had been a kneejerk reaction, one born of his own childhood memories of cowering in corners as arguments escalated. It had prejudiced his thinking. Daisy’s mother had been beyond devastated, blaming herself. She’d broken down as they left. Pausing on the drive of the house, a detached country property worth a fair sum, Mark had heard her heaving sobs as the front door closed. Whatever the future of their relationship, if Daisy wasn’t found, God help them, the parents would both blame themselves for the rest of their lives.

  Dammit. Frustrated, Mark banged the heel of his hand against his steering wheel. They had to find her. But where? Sighing, he ran a hand wearily over his neck. He needed some downtime. He needed to check his girls were warm and safe in their beds, and touch base with Mel. He wished he could do more than touch base… her warm body up close was an appealing thought right now. Whatever shit he was dealing with, he always felt safe in her arms. She reckoned he’d been her white knight; that somehow he’d saved her, but Mark knew it was the other way around. He’d had relationships before her – too many, because with no role models in his life, he didn’t know how to do relationships – b
ut Mel had shown him how, made him believe that love was possible, that he was a fully functioning, normal person, despite his dysfunctional background and his conviction that bad blood would out and he would inherit the traits of his abusive father. She’d made him believe in himself, because she’d believed in him. She’d loved him. His love for her… it scared him sometimes. The all-consuming love he felt for his children terrified him. His family were his lifeblood. He simply wouldn’t know how to be without them.

  Noting Mel’s car wasn’t there as he pulled into the drive, it took a second before Mark remembered her art class. It looked like she’d gone after all. Who was watching the kids? Their last babysitter, though she’d come recommended, hadn’t been up to much. Or rather, she had, if coming home early to find her in a steamy clinch on the sofa with her boyfriend had been any indication. Neither he nor Mel were prudish, but the cider the guy had brought with him was definitely not on. Emily, a mutual friend, helped out when she could, but weren’t the Chandlers away on holiday?

  Mark checked his mobile as he walked to the front door, only to find the battery had died, which might explain why he hadn’t received a text from Mel. She would undoubtedly have sent him one. The lights were on, he noted. The TV, too. Peering around the lounge door, he saw that it was empty, though the knot of worry in his stomach was quashed at the obvious signs of normalcy. He headed upstairs, figuring the kids would be in bed and the babysitter might be checking on them.

  Poppy’s door was ajar, and he could see her fast asleep in bed, Hercules curled up protectively at her feet. Mark breathed out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding in. Then, instructing Hercules to stay, he carried on towards the nursery, where he stopped and cocked his head to one side. Well that was a bloody relief. Tugging his collar loose, Mark listened for a second at the partially open door before going in. It seemed they did have a new babysitter, and she sang like an angel.

  ‘Hush, little baby, don't say a word,’ came a melodic voice from inside. ‘Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird. If that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.’ Mark pushed the door open, and then, noting she had her back towards him, Evie nestled on her shoulder, he waited again rather than frighten her. He was mildly amused when she skipped straight to the last verse, obviously not knowing the words in between: ‘Hush, little baby, don't you cry, Daddy loves you and so do I.’

  Smiling, Mark tapped on the door as she started the lullaby over. Jade spun around, the alarmed look on her face making it clear he had scared her, despite his efforts not to.

  Shit. Mark stepped forward. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I should have called up from the hall, but I thought the kids might be asleep. Are you okay?’

  ‘Yes, sorry. My fault. I should have been paying attention.’

  ‘You were.’ Mark smiled. ‘To Evie.’ He nodded towards his baby girl, who was awake but sleepy, and perfectly content on Jade’s shoulder. ‘I’ll make sure to announce myself in future.’

  Jade smiled back, though she still looked rather flustered at him looming in the doorway. With good reason. Averting his gaze, Mark stopped short of moving further into the room to say hello to Evie. That possibly wouldn’t be a prudent move, what with Jade wearing a strappy top and pyjama shorts under her dressing gown. Obviously she was staying with them, which given her circumstances was fine, but… Christ, this was awkward. Mark really wished he’d remembered to plug his phone in earlier.

  ‘She’s been as good as gold,’ Jade said, stepping towards him. ‘Haven’t you, angel?’

  Pressing a kiss to Evie’s soft downy head, she looked back to Mark. ‘I was just about to pop her down for a nap before Melissa gets back, but I’m assuming you want to have a quick cuddle? Sorry about being in my PJs, by the way,’ she said, handing Evie gently to him. ‘I needed to wash the smoke out of my hair, so I grabbed a quick shower before I fed her.’

  And Mark felt like a bit of an idiot. Clearly, he was the only one feeling uncomfortable. And clearly it showed. ‘Thank you, I would very much like a quick cuddle,’ he said softly, marvelling afresh at the perfect wonder of his tiny child as he gathered her close.

  Eight

  JADE

  Making sure Evie was safe in his arms, Jade nodded towards the door. ‘I’ll just go and sort a few things out,’ she said to Mark, offering him another bright smile as she took her leave.

  Once on the landing, she looked back, her heart flipping and her pelvis dipping as she watched this tall, dark, broad-shouldered man nestling his baby close.

  He didn’t yet know who she was, of course. Jade had made sure he wouldn’t. She’d thought it better that way initially. He was fundamentally a good man, after all. She wouldn’t want him to do anything that went against his nature. He would have to be persuaded gently that the life he was living was all a façade. That, as much as he loved his children, he could never be fulfilled living with a woman who’d used those children to trap him. He’d sensed her, though. It had been obvious from the appreciative look in his eye as he’d glanced at her figure – which Melissa’s pyjama set enhanced quite nicely. He, too, felt the undeniable chemistry between them.

  In time, he would know. Smiling fondly, she turned to the bedroom the bitch wife had said she could use. Soon, Mark would realise they were two souls connected, destined to be together forever.

  Nine

  MELISSA

  Mark almost bowled into Melissa as he came out of the front door – on his way back to work, she assumed. ‘Hey.’ He smiled. ‘How’s the new male exhibitionist?’

  ‘Excellent,’ Melissa said, with a mischievous wink.

  ‘That good, hey?’ Despite his best efforts to look annoyed, Mark’s mouth twitched up at the corners. ‘A lesser man might feel threatened, you know.’

  Melissa leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, allowing her hand to stray around back to clutch a handful of his very pleasingly toned rear as she did. ‘Good job you’re a bigger man then, isn’t it, DI Cain?’

  Mark furrowed his brow at that. ‘Er, thanks. I think.’

  ‘I take it this was a flying visit?’ Melissa eased back to eye him seriously.

  Mark nodded regretfully. ‘Afraid so. Sorry.’

  ‘No progress then?’ Melissa asked, a shiver of apprehension running through her as she read Mark’s gloomy expression.

  ‘Not much, no,’ he said, sighing wearily. ‘I have to get back to the station. Organise available bodies for searches come first light.’

  He really did look tired. Melissa noted the shadows under his eyes as he leaned to brush her lips with a kiss and move around her. She wished he could stay.

  She wondered if they would despatch police divers to the river. Organise fingertip searches in fields and woods? She knew from experience how these things progressed.

  ‘I’ll see you soon. Take care,’ she said, as he climbed into his car. It would be useless saying what she really meant: remember to eat, and try to get some sleep somewhere along the line. Learning the missing girl was around Poppy’s age and knowing Mark as she did, she very much doubted he would be doing much of either.

  ‘Oh, and Mark,’ she called, as he reached for his door. ‘I sent you a text earlier. Did you see it?’

  ‘No, sorry. Mobile wasn’t charged.’

  ‘Jade’s staying for a while. I thought I’d better let you know in case you run into her wandering around upstairs when you get back.’

  ‘I’ve already had the pleasure.’ Mark smiled wryly. ‘She’s qualified, presumably?’

  ‘Abundantly,’ Melissa assured him. ‘She did a childcare course at college. I thought she might able to help out with the girls.’

  ‘Have you checked out her references?’

  ‘Of course.’ Actually, she hadn’t, but she could have hardly done that this evening. She’d do it first thing tomorrow. ‘Mark Cain, you’re not questioning my judgement, are you?’ Melissa cocked her head to one side, eyeing him pseudo-disparagingly.

  ‘Nev
er. Wouldn’t dare.’

  Melissa laughed as Mark cringed in mock-terror and hurriedly closed his door. Watching him drive away, she turned to let herself in, trying not to mind that he was dashing off again. Policing was what he did, and she loved him for it, loved that he cared enough to want to try to make the world a safer place – but she missed him. And she worried incessantly for him, more so when he was dealing with cases involving children. With his own abysmal childhood, he seemed to feel their every hurt. But she wished he wouldn’t blame himself when he couldn’t fix that hurt. When he couldn’t make their world a safer place.

  He would slip out at night, sometimes, when sleep eluded him. Walking the streets, Melissa guessed, trying to get into the mind of a young child who might be a runaway, understanding why they might have run. He’d been reluctant to share his past secrets with her at first, imagining himself less of a man for admitting that his childhood ghosts haunted him still. He really was an enigma: strong and macho on the outside, yet deeply caring on the inside.

  It had taken them a while to find each other again after Jacob. For her to come back to him. Mark had been patient – there to hold her when she’d needed holding, to catch her if she fell. And instinctively, no words necessary, he’d known when she’d needed him to move beyond holding. His lovemaking had been so gentle, so perceptive of her needs. And when she’d finally allowed herself to reach that sweet climax, he’d held her again while she sobbed in his arms. Held her like he might never let go.

  She’d loved him more than she’d thought possible that night.

  She hoped he was charging his phone. Dumping her sketch pad on the hall table and hanging her bag over the rail, she reached for her phone to text him again as she climbed the stairs to check on the children. She needed to remind him how much she still loved him.