Page 52

“Samuel, stop. Look, I’m sorry—if I’d known,” Dan says, stepping forward, his hand reaching out but dropping when he sidesteps.

“No, Dan, you’re sorry you got caught. And before you say it. Even if you had known, I still think you’d have sent her away because I’m realising that’s who you are. And it’s not someone I like. However, now is not the time. I have to find April. She’s my number one priority.” Samuel throws a look in my direction. “Let’s find our girl.”

I walk past Dan without saying a word, not sure I can contain my anger. Who sends someone away without even checking they’re okay? It’s not like she lives in this part of town. To get here, she would have travelled at least two tubes.

“Samuel, please…”

“No.” Samuel holds the door open while I walk through the corridor before slamming it shut.

The door opens behind us as we make it to the top of the stairs.

“If she comes back, I’ll let her in. I’ll call you. I’m sorry. I love you.”

Samuel drops his gaze, some of the anger draining from his face. But he says nothing. Instead, he heads down the stairs.

We exit the building in silence. Mason holds the door for us both as we get into the car.

“Where have you looked?” Samuel asks.

“I’ve spoken to Betty and Don, but other than that, I’m at a loss.”

“Why?”

“Why what?” I ask, unsure what he’s asking.

“She wouldn’t have done it if that’s what you think. That business was her life, her new start. She worked hard to get the money together for it.” He stops, and I wonder what he is going to say, but I don’t push.

“I just want to know she’s safe,” I say, surprising both of us.

He nods and picks up his phone.

“Di.”

I can’t hear the other side of the conversation, but I can hear the panic tones.

“It’s okay, I’m out looking for her… yes, she got out. She was fine. Her phone, not so much… No, I was at work… she didn’t wait.”

He looks at me. “I’m with Caleb Frazer. We’re going to find her. I promise.”

He listens for a few moments more. “I’ll get her to call you as soon as we find her. Try not to worry… and Di, if she turns up at yours. Call me.”

Samuel disconnects the call and drops back against the seat. “Her foster mum,” he says. “The reason April is such a phenomenal dancer. April credits Di with turning her life around, giving her a purpose.”

“Is she likely to be making her way there?” I ask.

“No. She got kicked out of the foster system at eighteen. Was told to stand on her own two feet. Di and Julian offered her a place to live, but April didn’t want to take advantage of their kind nature. Not once her funding dried up. When she first left, she had her scholarship to a conservatoire…” Samuel stops as if realising he’s shared too much. “Life isn’t always easy when you’re from the other side of the tracks. But April, she is one of the most amazing women.”

I nod, unsure of what else to say.

My phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket.

“Elijah.”

“She’s at one of our sponsored Hostels. Her name has flagged up.”

“Flagged up?”

“After you called, I tagged it,” he says unapologetically.