Page 141 of Don't Tell Teacher

Leavingme.

I blame Pauly Neilson. He sowed a seed of doubt – and I can feel it growing.Mothers aren’t always perfect.

We need to start again. Tom will forget in time.

Come on, train.

Suddenly, the electronic sign flashes and changes.London King’s Cross – Delayed, exp 22.29.

Oh God.

I put on my bright mum voice again, covering my anxiety. ‘Ready, Tom? For the big adventure?’

‘I don’t want to go.’

I give him the eyes. The eyes that tell him:Don’t even think about it.

‘I love you, Mum,’ he says obediently.

Kate

10.15 p.m.

‘Excuse me.’ I knock on the camper van window with rapid knuckles. The window rolls down, slowly and jerkily.

‘You’re not going to give me a hard time, are you?’ The man has sad blue eyes and deep worry lines cast in grey skin. I’d guess him to be in his early thirties. ‘Trust me, it’s not the day for it. You walked out in front of me.’

He looks so much like Tom.

‘Olly – Oliver Kinnock?’

The man flinches. ‘Who wants to know?’

I hold up my card on its woven string. ‘Kate Noble. From Child Services.’

Olly pulls the gearstick into reverse. ‘Never heard of him.’

‘Wait,please.’ I grab the van by the open window, some stupid instinct telling me I could stop it moving just by holding on. ‘If youareMr Kinnock, I’m here to help you. I know the truth. About Lizzie.’

Olly’s hand lingers on the gearstick.

‘Look – can you show me some ID?’ I ask. ‘And then I can help you, honestly I can.’

‘Fine.’ Olly rummages in the glove box, then flashes a driving licence showing a healthier, tanned man with glowing blond hair and bright white teeth.

Oliver James Kinnock.

‘Listen,’ I say. ‘I know about Lizzie. I need to talk to you. But I can’t do it here—’

Olly opens the van door and jumps out. ‘I’m not wasting any more time. I need to get to Tom.’

‘He’s not here.’

‘Yes he is. Lizzie’s mother told me.’

‘Lizzie just left with Tom,’ I say. ‘The police are trying to locate her. They know everything. What she’s been doing. The medicine.’

Olly grabs the car door for support. ‘When did she take him?’

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