Saving Willowbrook by Anna Jacobs Page A

moment or two to smile fondly at the child sleeping as usual in a tangle of covers and soft toys.
    By the time she got into the car to drive Amy to the bus stop, she had everything ready for her guests, who had booked breakfast for half past eight.
    â€˜When is Mr O’Neal coming back, Mummy?’
    â€˜I’m not sure. In a day or two – if he can. It’s not absolutely certain.’
    â€˜But he said he was coming back.’
    â€˜I know he did, darling, but people sometimes change their minds.’
    â€˜He won’t break a promise. He’s a nice man. Me and Porgy like him. Do you like him, Mummy?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜That’s good.’
    Ella didn’t ask Amy to explain what she meant by that because she didn’t want to get into a tangle of explanations. Some things were just too complicated for seven-year-olds.
    When she got back, she checked the ground near the house and found several blurred footprints, the sort you got from cheap wellies like the ones she wore herself in winter. She stared at them, her breath catching in her throat. She’d guessed it hadn’t been an animal, but this was proof that someone had been prowling round her house trying to spook her – and they’d succeeded, damn them.
    Who would do that? Brett was the first name that came to mind. He’d been pestering her on and off for years, but why would he suddenly go off the rails like this?
    â€˜Good morning, Mrs Turner.’
    She jumped in shock, then realized it was the new guests, ready for their breakfast.
    â€˜Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.’
    â€˜I was miles away. Did you sleep well . . . ?’
    They were a charming quartet, in their seventies, all seeming full of energy and with a young attitude to the world. They were very appreciative of her cooking and made arrangements to have dinner at Willowbrook again that night.
    When they’d gone out for a day’s sightseeing to Avebury, Marlborough and wherever chance took them, she cleared up quickly before going across to their chalets to tidy up. But everything was already immaculate, with beds made. They’d set out the card that said they were happy to reuse the towels, so she only had to put fresh milk in the fridge, and restock the biscuits, tea and coffee sachets. She wished all guests were as easy to look after.
    She couldn’t resist going into the chalet Cameron had used. He’d taken all his things. She stood there, wondering if he’d be back, then sat down for a minute on the bed, smoothing the duvet cover with her right hand. He’d talked about them getting to know one another. She’d really like that. Only . . . was she reading more into what he’d said than he’d meant? She’d rushed into a relationship once and look where that had led her.
    She wasn’t going to make that mistake again. Anyway, she’d only known Cameron for a couple of days. That was far too soon to talk about relationships.
    Wasn’t it?
    But the dog liked him, and so did Amy. And he’s said – Oh, stop it! she told herself. You’re being silly. He probably won’t even come back .
    Back at the house the message light was blinking on the phone, showing two messages. She pressed the replay button.
    Miles’s voice. ‘Ella, will you call me back as soon as possible, please? I need to sort out something with you.’ There was silence for a moment, then he added, ‘Now that I’ve got my life in order, I want to see more of my daughter. I can come down on Saturdays and take Amy out for the afternoon, starting this weekend.’
    Ella stared at the phone in horror, ignoring the tinny voice still talking in her ear. Had she heard correctly? She replayed the message.
    Yes, Miles really was saying he wanted to see Amy. Why? He had a very short span of both attention and patience where small children were concerned, so what on earth would