Page 11 of Lost Luggage
‘This book is about a young girl blessed with as big a power as any Marvel hero. I’m not talking about her telekinesis, although I wish I could move objects with my mind, it would make turning pages whilst eating far easier.’ Flo had found that line really funny. Dolly should have practised on an older audience. ‘Although I’m sure my copy of Joanne Harris’sChocolatdidn’t mind the smudges of my crème egg.’
One smile. She’d take it.
‘No, there is more to Matilda than being able to move objects as, more importantly, she’s able to move young readers who can relate to feeling like an underdog.’ Come on, keep going. ‘Despite her small size she has masses of courage and not only calls out, but punishes the behaviour of her criminal father and bullying headmistress. She’s a strong, female role model for today’s readers…’
A bulky man in a trilby hat yawned loudly.
‘She teaches us that the underdog doesn’t have to kowtow.’ Dolly’s voice got louder. ‘That even though people are bigger than her, even though they have authority, she shouldn’t surrender to their toxicity…’ Her old self glared at the yawner, before going on to quote from the book and explain how Matilda was empowering in other ways. ‘Finally, of course, there’s an excellent reason for not throwing this child out of the balloon.’ Dolly folded her arms. ‘Scientifically, it wouldn’t make sense. She’s the lightest by far.’
The group of students laughed.You can’t ask for more than that, said a voice in her head. That had been one of Greta’s favourite phrases. It was very important to be satisfied with your lot. The two sisters had each other, food on the table and an excellent burglar alarm.
‘Thanks to the five participants.’ Trish took out a small jotter pad. ‘Without further ado, let’s take a vote for the character you’d like to see thrown out.’ Ten people voted for Bella Swan. Only six for Sherlock Holmes. Seven for Scarlett O’Hara. Dolly bit her thumb nail. What if classic, handsome Mr Darcy only got a couple of votes, leaving the rest for Matilda? ‘Mr Darcy… that’s nine,’ said Trish. ‘Matilda… eight.’ She scanned the figures. ‘Bye, bye Bella.’ The students booed but Dolly hardly heard, heading back to her table in a daze. John, the impatient man who’d shouted at the beginning of her turn, came over.
‘Fair dos,’ he said. ‘I always test newbies out with a little heckle and you passed with flying colours.’
For the first time in months a sense of achievement washed over her and oddly, she couldn’t wait to tell Phoebe. She’d really done it. Seen the challenge through. Leroy wouldn’t believe it. He was video-calling tomorrow to see how she got on. That was his official line, anyway. Dolly knew he had another agenda.
But this was no good. People were leaving, she hadn’t found out any names yet. Dolly got up with a start and went over to the woman who’d defended Scarlett O’Hara.
‘Um, well done,’ she said and held out her hand. ‘My name’s Dolly.’
‘Sarah. Pleased to meet you. Matilda’s a great character.’
Dolly scoured the room and introduced herself to the other women who might have possibly fitted the bill but no. She screwed up her balloon debate notes and threw them in the bin. Phoebe wasn’t here. Flo’s dad had said there was a bug going around Manchester; she could be ill. The walk back to Piccadilly station dragged out further than the inward journey earlier. On the train back, rain trickled down the carriage window that Dolly leant against. The whole evening, all the practice, not being able to sleep last night, it had been for nothing.
As the train pulled into Knutsmere station, Dolly’s phone buzzed. A message from Mark? She read the text and took a sharp intake of breath. She dashed up the carriage aisle to the train’s doors, her rucksack bashing a dozing reveller in the face.
9
Dolly strode into Pingate Loop, splashes from disturbed puddles drenching her shoes. She rapped on Flo’s family’s front door. Mark yanked the door open. His shoulders sank.
She clutched her phone tighter. ‘Still no sign of her?’
He shook his head. ‘We had a late job on, but Kaz left our staff right away and has just got back from the church hall. I waited here in case. The pack leader can’t understand it. She spotted Flo ten minutes before the meeting ended at nine. We’ve finished searching the house together, from top to bottom. Kaz is on the phone to the police.’ His voice trembled. ‘We knew she didn’t want to go to Guides.’
‘If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine. Flo and I made a deal. I’m so sorry.’
‘The lost notebook? She’s been so excited, imagining what all the firsts are going to be. Don’t blame yourself. We’re grateful it finally gave her the incentive to try out Guiding. But I wish we’d listened to her more. We’ve been pushing for months, because Kaz used to love Guides and I enjoyed Scouts.’ He kept looking at his phone, panic rolling his words together. ‘Kaz and I were drawn to each other at school, you see, as two shy pupils who were never part of a big friendship group, and activities away from the classroom gave us confidence. We want that for our daughter.’ He gave a big sigh. ‘It’s tricky to talk about. Shyness is always seen as a flaw, and whilst it makes life more difficult, we don’t want Flo to think there’s anything wrong with her.’
‘Have you told her all this?’
He frowned and shook his head. ‘We don’t want to make a big deal of it.’ He glanced down the road. ‘Why aren’t the police here yet?’
‘Where have you looked?’
‘In all the wardrobes, under the beds, even in the loft.’
‘What about the garden?’
He shrugged. ‘You know what it looks like. Nothing but lawn and a few low-growing shrubs. There’s nowhere to hide. She must be in the village. Or the park, but you’d think that would be frightening at night on her own. Unless…’ A look crossed his face. She recognised it from when she’d caught a glimpse of her own reflection in Greta’s dressing-table mirror, right after finding her sister on the floor, not breathing. ‘If anything happens to her, Dolly, I’ll never forgive—’
‘Now stop that this minute. Your Flo’s a sensible little girl. Very independent.’ Fearless too. ‘Let me check something out. Two minutes.’ Dolly hurried towards her bungalow. She let herself in, dropped her rucksack, and went straight into the kitchen and unlocked the back door. There was a small chance… it was worth checking… She stood on the lawn, heartened by the oak tree’s branches waving at her through the darkness, drawing her attention to… yes, it really was, a flash of lilac amongst the twigs. She pressed a hand over her heart and texted Mark, before approaching the trunk.
‘Flo, chickie. Come on down, you’ll catch a chill.’ The lilac froze. ‘You’re not in trouble, sweetheart. Your mum and dad just want to know you are safe.’
‘How did you know I’d be here?’ came back a sulky voice.
‘If you come down, I’ll tell you.’
