The Lost Sister by Kathleen McGurl (i can read book club .TXT) 📕

Lucas seemed to be trying to calm her down. When Harriet returned from a visit to the ladies’ he had his hand on her shoulder and was whispering intently to her. He broke off as soon as he caught her eye.

‘So I’m thinking,’ Lucas said, ‘that they’ll be in there, setting up by now. It probably takes a while, getting all the amps and mics and everything sorted. So we could see if we can get in. I bet Davina’ll be there. Didn’t she say she helps the roadies?’

Harriet felt a flutter of excitement at the idea she might see Davina in potentially a few minutes. There might be awkwardness – but if they didn’t talk about the way Davina had left so suddenly, without warning, then maybe all would be well. John had said: let her be, let her do her own thing, and in time she’ll come back. And that was what she’d tried so hard to do, these last couple of months.

They went around to the back of the theatre, and found the doors by which equipment was taken in and out. They were standing open, and a couple of vans were parked nearby. A man in a black T-shirt and ripped jeans approached. ‘Excuse me, this area is not open to the public …’

‘Ah, sorry mate. We were just looking for someone. Jez Trethgow, if he’s around, or better still, Davina Wilson. We’re family.’ Lucas sounded confident and friendly, and Harriet felt glad he’d come. She’d probably have stuttered and apologised and ended up leaving without seeing her daughter.

‘Oh, right. I’ll just see …’ The man gestured inside and headed towards the door. ‘Wait here.’

A few moments later Jez emerged, clutching a takeaway coffee. He frowned when he saw them. ‘Oh. You want Dav, then. Not sure if …’ He waved his hand vaguely in the air.

‘Please Jez. If she’s there, let her know we’re here,’ Sally said. ‘Tell her … I have something for her. For her birthday. It’s next week. She’ll be 18. Can’t let that pass without … presents from her family.’

Harriet was surprised – Sally hadn’t said anything about bringing presents for Davina. For herself, she’d planned to transfer money into Davina’s bank account as her present, thinking that money was probably what she would most need.

‘Oh. Well, I suppose.’ Jez shrugged moodily and went back inside.

The wait, wondering whether Davina would come out, was tough to bear. Harriet wanted to dart inside the theatre, following the roadies who were still unpacking equipment and throwing them puzzled glances now and again. Lucas moved close to Sally and muttered something, and Sally, looking anxious, nodded.

Finally, there she was. Dressed in a tight sleeveless top with ‘Hades Rising’ printed across her chest, and jeans even more ripped than Jez’s had been. Hair with a bright pink streak down one side, and sporting a nose piercing she hadn’t had before. Davina. She smiled nervously when she saw them, as though wondering how she’d be received. But Harriet held out her arms and Davina ran the last few steps across the yard and into them.

Harriet revelled in the embrace for a moment, ignoring the distinctive scent of cannabis smoke that clung to her daughter’s clothes. ‘Good to see you, love. How is the tour going?’

‘Oh, you know. Good, mostly. Hard work. I’m not coming home, Mum – not now, you get that, right?’

‘Of course. We’ve come to see the gig, and see how you are.’ Sally had stepped forward. Davina didn’t hug her though, just looked at her quizzically.

‘You were never interested in Jez’s music, Sal.’

‘I am now though, now that you’re touring with them,’ Sally said. She glanced at Lucas. ‘Hey, listen, I’ve your present in the van. Come and see.’

‘In the van? Couldn’t you—’

‘Wasn’t sure if we’d find you, so I left it in there. Come on, come and get it then we can perhaps have a drink or something before the gig.’

Davina shrugged. ‘OK then.’ She followed Sally down the side of the theatre and back to the quiet side-street where Lucas had parked the van. Harriet followed them and Lucas, wondering what this present was that Sally had kept so quiet about.

‘What is it, then? I’m all on tenterhooks!’ Davina gave a little laugh. ‘Come on, Mum, spill the beans.’

‘I don’t know, love.’ She genuinely didn’t.

‘It’s a secret from Mum, too. You’ll see.’

They’d reached the van, and Lucas unlocked the back doors. ‘It’s in there,’ he said.

‘Can’t you bring it out?’

‘Easier if you get in, to see it,’ Lucas said, with a twisted smile.

Davina glanced at Sally who nodded, biting her lip. Harriet frowned. What was in the back of the van?

Davina put her hand on the van’s door, and lifted a leg to climb in. At that moment Lucas shoved her hard, bundling her into the back of the van, and Sally stepped forward, blocking the way and pushing on the other door. Davina screamed. ‘What the fuck? Sally, what’s going on?’

Harriet cried out, too. ‘Lucas, stop it, you’ll hurt her. Sally, what is this?’ She caught Sally’s arm and tried to pull her away, but Sally shook her off. Davina was kicking and screaming, and Sally was looking scared, glancing along the street as if checking no one was near.

Lucas grunted in pain as Davina’s foot caught him on the knee cap. ‘Bitch! Just get in there!’

‘No, I fucking won’t! Help!’ Davina shouted out, and at the same time Sally hissed urgently, ‘Lucas, there’s someone coming!’

Harriet turned to see a young couple hurrying up the road towards them.

‘What’s going on? Did someone shout for help?’ the man called out.

Lucas had stepped back, letting go of Davina when Sally warned him. ‘It’s nothing, we’re cool, thanks mate.’ The couple stood a little way off, watching, as though they’d step in and help if needed.

Davina climbed out and glared at Lucas, Sally and Harriet. ‘I don’t know what game you were playing, but it’s over. I’m going back to Jez. You’re not