Someone You Know

‘I’ll find her on my own.’

Edie put her book down.

‘How?’

‘I’ll go to the library. Harlith’s not a common name. There can’t be that many.’

‘She might not even live nearby any more. Auntie Becca said she’d sold her house and if she’s married she won’t be Harlith, anyway.’

‘I didn’t think of that,’ Tess said.

‘I know.’

‘I can still try. If I find which house she used to live in we can get her name from an old phone book.’

‘You won’t be able to do that without asking Auntie Becca, and Mum will find out.’

Usually, Edie was the one to break the rules and she would have gone along with Tess. But Mum’s reaction had upset Edie. It wasn’t like her to be sad or serious.

‘Tess, I think you should forget about Valentina. She hasn’t come back to see us because she’s not that bothered.’

‘She can’t come and see us if she’s dead.’

‘She’s not dead, Tess. Mr Vickers did not kill his wife. She left him. I know you love detective books, but they’re just stories. If she’d actually disappeared, the police would know. You’re being a baby.’

‘Don’t call me a baby.’

‘Don’t act like one.’

Tess didn’t reply. She switched off her bedside light and pulled the duvet over her head. Her breathing was uneven and Edie wondered if she was crying. She carried on reading for a few minutes before turning off her light, then lay back on her pillow and stared up at the ceiling.

They were too old to be sharing a bedroom but there was no choice in this tiny house. It seemed unfair that Uncle Ray and Auntie Becca had five bedrooms to themselves, whilst they were squashed into a two-up two-down terrace. Edie turned on her side and sighed. It won’t be forever, Auntie Becca had said, but what was going to change?

Her eyes were drooping towards sleep when she heard Tess say, ‘I am going to find her.’

Edie was too tired to argue but if anyone was going to find Valentina, it would be her.