‘I think Cornwall would be a great idea.’ Tatiana nodded.
‘So if I can try and get the family to go there on holiday and stay in a cottage near the coast, it might make them consider the fact that Rosie could have been taken by boat…..would that work?’ Chloe asked, growing with confidence as she started to formulate some kind of plan.
‘Yes, that sounds good. So, the next big question is….how are you going to do it?…you have to be subtle remember.’
Chloe racked her brain for a few moments. ‘I know….there is a special event going on at The Eden Project this summer. I came across it when I was looking for somewhere my dad could go on holiday with his sister. They were doing family special deals and I did notice that there was a Fantasy Island theme park opening up for the kids this summer. This might entice them there. What do you think?’
‘I think that sounds a great idea. So how do you propose you get them to see it?’
‘Well, I could e-mail Lucy the offer….even if I send it a few times, it may instigate her into doing something. I will make it look like a general marketing e-mail.’
‘Ok, let’s give it a go. We have all of her personal details, including her e-mail address, and our IT team have managed to gain access to Lucy’s e-mail, so it will be easy to do. I’ll leave you to it for a while and you can run it by me before you send it.’
Chloe concocted her e-mail with the discount offer to Lucy, and after running it by Tatiana, she pressed ‘send’. ‘So I’ll just have to wait and hope I see a booking confirmation in her inbox now.’
‘We’ll keep our fingers crossed. Now I think that is enough for today don’t you?’ Tatiana said getting up. ‘You have done so well.’
‘Thank you…I can’t believe how much my life has changed in the space of a week!’ Chloe exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.’
Tatiana walked her to the door of the shop. ‘Ok, so I’ll see you tomorrow and we’d better get you started with your Reiki clients in the meantime.’
‘Yes, I’m looking forward to that too….see you tomorrow then.’ Chloe replied brightly, kissing Tatiana on the cheek.
As Chloe walked home, Josh rang.
‘Hi sweetheart, you ok?…I’m just on my way home.’ Chloe answered, pleased to hear his voice.
‘Yes all good….I just wondered if you fancied going to Frankie’s for a bite to eat tonight…I could meet you there in twenty minutes as I’m nearby.’
‘Oh yes ok, sounds good….see you there then.’
Chloe was so happy she had Josh, and after her surreal day, she needed to be brought back into her and Josh’s reality. She needed to rest her brain, and his spontaneous gestures always helped to give her that much needed boost. She had also been a bit inattentive recently, so she knew it would be nice to spend some quality time with him. She just felt bad she couldn’t reveal what was really going on with her.
‘Hi babe.’ Josh said, greeting her with a kiss as she met him outside the restaurant. ‘Come on, let’s get inside I’m starving.’
Chloe grabbed his cheeks. ‘This was a nice surprise.’
‘Well, I thought you needed a treat as you’ve been worrying about your new job, and I needed to spend a bit more quality time with my gorgeous girl rather than slumped in front of the tv.’
‘Why that’s very lovely of you Mr. Anderson….shall we start with a bottle of something fizzy?’
‘Your wish is my command.’ Josh dutifully responded in jest, calling over the waiter.
‘So how was your first permanent day as a ‘Reiki’ therapist?’
‘Yes …good.’ Chloe hesitated as images of the Rosie Parker file flashed in front of her. ‘..it’s really interesting.’
‘So this Tatiana is a nice lady then?’ Josh asked, pouring them both a glass of Prosecco.
‘Yes, she is lovely and very supportive so I am enjoying it.’
‘You certainly seem a lot happier…..even if a little preoccupied lately.’
‘I know, I’m sorry… this has been such a life change for me, I have been a bit in shock by it really, but I can feel myself stabling out a bit now. Anyway enough about me, how was your work today?’ Chloe asked, taking a sip of her drink.
‘Yes ok…we’re working on a bit of a heavy case right now. The body that we found was of a young woman in her twenties. It turned out she had reported that she was being stalked six months ago, so the stalker is the main suspect at the moment. It will hit the papers tomorrow.’ he frowned.
‘Oh that is horrible, you can never be too careful these days. There’s me stressing about my new job and you’re dealing with murders on a daily basis…sorry.’ she said, reaching out for his hand.
‘Sshhh…that is your day job and this is mine, we just do what we need to do.’ he gently scolded.
Chloe was however dealing with something a lot more heavy than just Reiki and much to her frustration, Josh would be the perfect person to discuss it with, but sadly her hands were tied. With Josh being in The Met, it did make Chloe feel the betrayal was even worse, as not only would she be solving a case that the police were unable to, but Josh would be absolutely fuming if he knew she might be putting herself in danger. She had to abandon these thoughts though, as she had a job to do…..a very important one.
Thankfully the rest of the evening was just what Chloe needed. They laughed about what their friends were up to, and generally teased each other like they normally did. When they got home Josh went up to bed while Chloe made some hot chocolates for them both. She was dying to know if Lucy Parker had opened the e-mail she had sent, but she couldn’t risk opening the tablet while Josh was in the house, in case he saw it.
She started to worry if she would need to go to Cornwall to observe the family. She felt she needed to, but she didn’t know how she would explain it to Josh. There was so much to think about, but Chloe was determined to solve this case as soon as she possible, and help the Parkers find out the truth about their daughter.
TWO YEARS EARLIER
2013-2015
Chapter 8
‘Hurry up kids, we’re leaving in five minutes.’ Lucy shouted, ‘Sam don’t forget your phone is charging in the kitchen, Rosie …check you’ve packed your flip flops.’
Lucy was rushing around unplugging tv’s, radio’s, turning off light switches, checking all the rubbish was taken out, and no nasties were left in the fridge.
‘Tom, can you take these bags out to the car...it’s the packed lunches for the journey.’
‘There is food along the way you know…we’re not going to a remote island without any shops.’ Tom replied smirking.
‘I know I know…you have to be prepared though for when we breakdown and are starving!’
Tom shook his head in bemusement. ‘That’s my beautiful wife, always preparing for the worst!’
‘You’ll thank me if it does happen.’ Lucy argued, raising her eyebrows in her best ‘You just watch’ tone….‘Right, everyone ready, in the car.’
Lucy and Tom Parker had been married for twelve years and were loving parents to two children, Sam who was nine years old and Rosie who was seven. They lived in Chanook Hill, North Essex, which was a true chocolate box village comprising thatched roof cottages, acres of green farmland, stone cobble walls, and a customary village shop and pub. It was a real community and families would often come together for street parties, summer fetes and residence meetings.
Tom worked long hours as an architect, but was compensated with an above average salary that allowed the family to enjoy two to three holidays a year, whilst Lucy worked at the local junior school as a teacher giving her the benefit of being able to spend more time with the children over the holidays.
This summer they were off on their annual holiday to Bernie’s caravan park in the Isle of Wight. It was their favourite hassle free holiday of the year, as they didn’t have to deal with busy airports or limited packing, but instead could cram everything into the car they needed and drive.
; ‘So what are you looking forward to the most guys?’ Lucy asked, fastening her seatbelt whilst making room for her feet amongst the numerous bags she had squashed in.
‘Blackgang Chine!’ both Sam and Rose chanted in unison.
Lucy laughed, ‘It’s funny you still love that place the most and you go every year!’
‘I’m looking forward to scaring mummy at the House of Horrors.’ Tom teased, making a ghouley face.
‘I get that every day of the week with you lot!’ Lucy chuckled, shaking her head.
‘Now who wants a song….We’re all going on a summer holiday.’
‘Oh no dad don’t!… that’s so cringey, can we have some Justin Bieber?’ Sam requested pleadingly.
‘Ok ok…hand it over.’ Tom surrendered, grabbing the cd.
After a laughing, squabbling, singing, reading and video gaming five hour journey, they finally arrived at Bernie’s.
‘We’re here, we’re here!’ Sam and Rosie shouted.
‘We certainly are, now you all wait here in the car whilst I book us in at reception and find out which caravan we are in.’ Lucy instructed, shaking some crisp remnants off of her booking details
‘Ok, see you in a minute….now kids I know you are desperate to get out, but you’ve got to be patient a while longer.’ Tom added, trying to stop Sam and Rosie rushing off.
After an excitable fifteen minutes Lucy returned with the keys. ‘Here we are …..number 144.…row H.’
As they drove slowly down the narrow shingle road towards their caravan, every pitch looked full. It was the height of the summer season, so it wasn’t surprising. There were lots of young children playing outside, whom Sam and Rosie would befriend over the week no doubt. The familiar smell of barbeques, cinnamon doughnuts and candy floss brought the memories of many a joyful holiday there flooding back.
‘Ah 144 here we are.’ Lucy announced, pointing for Tom to park up alongside it.
‘Here we are guys….your home for the next week.’ Tom declared, relieved that his driving duties were over for the day.
Sam and Rosie raced each other to the steps, eager to be the first to open the door.
‘Be careful you two…we don’t want any accidents before we have even started our holiday.’ Lucy chastised, gesturing for them to slow down.
‘Wow it’s cool in here…..can I have the top bed?’ Sam begged looking at Tom, and then reluctantly at Rosie.
‘Yes ok, you can have the top bed, as I want to be nearer to mummy anyway.’
‘Ah thanks Rosie!’ Sam replied, clambering up the ladder to his bed.
‘That’s ok…you owe me one now though.’ she said cheekily.
After unpacking and making drinks all round, Lucy sat down at the table with the activities leaflets that she had picked up from reception, and started to make a plan for the week.
It read as follows:
Sunday - visit Shanklin/ go to beach
Monday - am Alum Bay/The Needles
pm back to park…water slides
Tuesday - am Zoo
pm Steam Railway
Wednesday - Blackgang Chine
Thursday - am House of Horrors
pm Sandown beach
Friday - Robin Hill theme park
Saturday - drive home
‘Ok everyone, happy with that?’ she asked, sticking it on the kitchen cupboard door with the blue tack she had retrieved from her accessories bag.
‘Yes!’ they all acknowledged.
‘Fabulous…now let’s head off to the clubhouse and see what is going on this evening.’ Lucy said decidedly, tidying her hair in the mirror.
*****
After a first night spent watching the clubhouse pantomime, followed by the first few days making sandcastles on the beach; glass blowing at Alum Bay; and having photos with the station master at the Steam Railway, Lucy awoke on the Wednesday morning to the early birds’ orchestra.
As she turned over to see if Tom was awake, a beam of sunlight seeping it’s way in through the curtains, blinded her temporarily. With everyone still asleep, she crept out of bed and took a moment to enjoy the silence. As she peered out of the living room window, the usual hustle and bustle of children playing, was now replaced with stillness. She could just start to see the stirring of other campers by the twitching of curtains and from the low hum of children waking.
As she glanced over to the timetable, she could hear a quiet murmur from Rosie and Sam’s room, so she decided it was time to relinquish her savoured moment of tranquility.
‘Rise and shine!’ Lucy called out. ‘It’s Wednesday and Blackgang Chine day!’
Sam was already sitting up, while Rosie was still trying to prize her eyelids open.
‘Come on angel, you are going to visit fairyland today.’ Lucy chivvied, tapping Rosie’s nose affectionately.
‘Yes and I’m going to the spaghetti western saloon.’ Sam chimed in, jumping down from his top bunk, pretending to lasso a horse.
A bleary eyed Rosie started to grin. ‘Can I buy a fairy from the shop?’
‘Well if you’re a good girl, we’ll see if the fairy godmother will magic you up one.’ Lucy bargained, pulling her blanket off.
Rosie’s eyes lit up as she flung her arms around Lucy, ‘I promise I will be mummy,’
‘Good girl, now come on let’s have some breakfast.’
‘Any toast for me?’ Tom inquired yawning, walking in from the bedroom.
‘Yes, here you go….the kids are uber excited about today.’ Lucy replied, placing a rack of fresh toast down in front of him.
‘Well, it’s been building for the last four days.’ Tom said wearily, spreading a dollop of peanut butter on his toast.
‘True.’ she smiled. ‘Come along, let’s get ready everyone.’
As the Blackgang Chine sign became visible, Sam and Rosie sat forward, leaning over Tom and Lucy’s shoulders in the hope of getting their quicker.
‘Mummy hurry, the queue is getting bigger, run run!’ Rosie yelled, seeing the growing number of people congregating outside the entrance.
‘Ok ok, slow down, we’ve got all day, you’ve just got to be patient.’ Lucy objected.
‘Rosie calm down, why can’t you be like your brother.’ Tom added.
‘Because I’m me and I can’t help being impatient.’ Rosie said resolutely.
‘She’s got an answer for everything that one.’ Tom teased.
‘She certainly has ….come on, we’re next in the queue now.’
The Sundance Saloon was as good as Sam remembered. The swing doors, the performing barman, and the ‘showdown’ cowboys always left Sam awestruck. He played with the other boys but usually ended up back at Lucy and Tom’s side after a few shy hello’s.
Rosie, on the other hand, wasted no time in making friends. She danced around the fairy castle with a little girl called Katrina, who was also staying at Bernie’s. Katrina was a stark contrast to Rosie with her dark hair and olive skin. Lucy and Tom looked on, happy that their little girl was having such a good time.
‘Come along Rosie.. time to go.’ Tom called out, after looking at his watch.
‘Oh no, not already, can I have another ten minutes, please please please.’ she begged.
‘Ok ok, but then we have to go as we have to get back and wash, ready for dinner tonight.’ Lucy relented.
Tom took out the camera to take a few last photo’s before shouting out ‘Ok Rosie that’s it…..you can see Katrina back at the caravan site later.’
‘Ok coming……see you later Katrina, we are going to have dinner in the main restaurant but I could ask my mum and dad if I could come and play at the arcades with you later if you like?’
‘Yes ok, I’d really like that.’
‘Do you need to ask your mum and dad as well?’ Rosie asked.
‘Yes, I will do but I know they will be ok with it.’ Katrina replied confidently, skipping off the other way.
‘Where’s Katrina’s mummy and daddy Rosie?…..I
didn’t see them.’ Lucy asked.
‘Umm I think they were watching her from over by that refreshment stand but I can’t see them now…they must have gone already.’
‘She seems nice though, it’s nice to make a new friend…have you arranged to meet her again?’
‘Yes…. I said I might see her at dinner later in the restaurant.’ Rosie answered, her eyes now looking up hopefully at Lucy.
‘Well we’ll see….you’ve had a very long day, so I think dinner and bed will be in order as you want to enjoy tomorrow, and you can see her then.’ Lucy reasoned.
Rosie grimaced but nodded reluctantly as they headed out of the exit and back to the car.
All washed and changed, Lucy and Tom held hands with the children as they walked into the restaurant for dinner. They treated themselves to burgers all round, with knickerbocker glory desserts while the friendly waiters presented them with lollipops and balloon animals. After dinner they wandered into the entertainment room where there was a puppet show. It was only forty-five minutes long so Lucy and Tom agreed that Sam and Rosie could stay and watch it before going back to the caravan for bed. It had the children giggling and booing at the old favourites Punch and Judy, alongside Bernie Bear, Raver Rabbit and Tilly Tortoise.
‘Look Tom that’s nice, Rosie has met up with Katrina again.’ Lucy commented, noticing her sitting cross legged next to Rosie.
‘Ah so it is, she seems a sweet little girl….we must meet her parents.’
‘Yes, I’ll go and find them after the show.’ Lucy agreed, looking around.
When the puppet show was over, Sam called out to Rosie. ‘Come along, time to go.’
‘In a minute Sam….I’m going to ask mummy if I can go with Katrina to play on the slot machines in the arcade for a bit.’
‘She will probably say no as we’ve had a long day but you can try.’ Sam argued, looking a bit peeved as he wanted to go back to the caravan.
The Truth Healer: A Riveting Spiritual Psychic Thriller Page 7
