The Shiver Stone by Sharon Tregenza Page B

felt.
    â€˜Yes, that’s it. That must be it.’ I knew it was a daft idea really. Why would Tristan suddenly turn into some nutcase who stole his own dog back? But I needed something to cling onto, so any suggestion that meant she was safe was okay by me. What do they call that? Clutching at straws?
    â€˜Let’s go and see if he’s taken her home,’ I said.
    I was already running and Jago was close behind me.

CHAPTER
    13
    Tristan’s shed should have looked neglected – it didn’t. There was a used coffee cup, on the arm of the sofa, I didn’t remember seeing the last time. I found an open packet of biscuits and half a sandwich on the bookcase, too. The stone dust had settled everywhere but you could see footprints on the floor – large and small. But not the prints I was hoping to see – paw prints.
    â€˜Someone’s been in here recently,’ I said. Jago and I had the same thought at the same time and turned quickly to the door. No one. The only sound was a gentle bee buzz in the silence.
    â€˜My dad?’ Jago said hopefully.
    Tristan? I wasn’t interested in finding him anymore. I didn’t care where he was or who he was hiding from or why. All I cared about was that Tia was missing, maybe hurt, maybe even…
    â€˜Do you think Kemble Sykes has got her? Kidnapped her to lure my dad out of hiding?’
    This time Jago’s idea was a good one, but so frightening I didn’t want it to be true.
    â€˜Your mum says he’s a nutter,’ I groaned. I dropped down on to the sofa. ‘This is hopeless, she could be anywhere.’ I shook myself. I mustn’t think like that. I had to find her.
    Jago looked as lost and helpless as me. ‘What now? If Tia is missing…’
    â€˜Tia is missing?’ said a voice. Shadowed in the doorway was a man, a tall man, with pale blond hair tied in plaits and wearing a bandana.
    â€˜Tristan!’
    Jago looked in shock from me to his father and then backed away, as if from a ghost.
    â€˜Where have you been? Tia’s been stolen!’ I shouted. I was so angry. This was his fault, I was sure of that.
    Tristan spoke to me and gave a shy glance at his son. ‘Who’s taken her? Why? Please, sit down.’ This was to Jago, the first words he’d spoken to his son in ten years.
    Jago sidled onto the sofa beside me, but kept his eyes firmly fixed on the ground.
    â€˜Tell me what happened.’
    I did.
    â€˜Have you tried the RSPCA? The police?’
    â€˜Of course we have.’
    As if in a dream, he opened the fridge and took out two cans of fizzy drink. I took one. Jago shook his head. He was still staring at the floor.
    â€˜Kemble Sykes might have her.’
    At the dreaded name Tristan shot a frightened glance at me. ‘You know Kemble?’
    â€˜He’s been following us around, trying to get to you. Why have you been hiding? Where have you been hiding? Why are you so afraid of him?’
    â€˜Whoa, whoa.’ He put his hands up to stop me. ‘Too many questions at once. Where have I been? That’s the easiest one to answer. I’ve been staying with Hug Howells.’
    â€˜Hug? But she…’ Suddenly, everything made sense. ‘You were there, weren’t you, the other morning when Tia was scratching at her door? She recognised your scent and that’s why she was crazy to get in. So Hug acted all mean to get rid of us?’
    â€˜Yes, she hated doing that, especially turning Tia away. She loves Tia. I knew Tia would be safe with you, Carys. Knew you’d look after her like she was your own. Why have I been hiding? That’s an easier question. I was scared. I refuse to be scared anymore.’ Tristan paced the floor, his eyes on Jago the whole time. ‘I knew Kemble was staying at the Seaview, the guesthouse across the lane. We watched him sneaking around here several times, trying to find me. Hug is a good woman. She knows what