Page 94 of One Step Behind

‘Can I help you?’ she asks.

‘Yes, please. I’m here to collect Beth and Archie Lawson for a dentist appointment. Archie is in class 2b and Beth is in 4c.’

The receptionist – Vanessa, according to her name tag – looks at me as though I’m off my rocker and laughs nervously.

I offer a polite smile and try not to show the desperation I feel squeezing me too tight. ‘I’m running a bit late,’ I add, hoping she’ll take the hint and dash off to get them.

Vanessa looks behind her as though my children might be lurking in the back of her office and gives another nervous laugh. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Lawson, you’re too late. Beth and Archie have already been collected for their dentist appointment.’

‘What do you mean? I’m here to collect them now.’

‘I’m sorry, but somebody already collected them. It says so right here in the signing-out book.’ She twists the A4 notebook around on the desk and pushes it towards me.

I stoop down and read the scrawl.

Name:

Time

in:

Time

out:

Reason:

Signature:

Beth Lawson

-

13.32

Dentist

Archie Lawson

-

13.32

Dentist