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for a job … He knew what he didn’t want to be and that was either a pharmacist or a lawyer, like his parents, but that’s as far as his thoughts had taken him.

Now, of course, with one A level to his name, and that only because he’d managed to sit maths in Year 12, university was out. The other option open to him – to move back home – held all the attraction of a faun in the presence of a starving lion, but he couldn’t seem to think of what else to do. He could try for a job but who’d employ him and where would he live? The Great Orme was all very well but it would be winter in a few weeks. What then? Whatever his issues, he felt he had more to offer than being labelled a homeless social statistic.

The housing estate up ahead was a new experience for someone who had been protected for most of their life. Ronan had learnt a lot during his time on the streets, not least that most people lived very different lives to the privileged one afforded him by two parents in well-paid jobs. The sight of the disused shopping trolley, lying to rust in the corner, cemented this fact. He’d thought he’d seen it all – far from it.

Ellie reached out her hand across the seat between them, palm upwards, and with that gesture he knew that she was scared of what she might find inside. He squeezed her fingers gently, his gaze on the unassuming property, plain white net curtains pulled against neighbours’ prying eyes. He couldn’t offer her any assurances because he had none to give. But what he did offer her was a silent promise that, despite what his mother might say, he wouldn’t leave her unless he was happy that this was the right place for her.

Chapter 47

Gaby

Tuesday 4 August, 1 p.m. A55

‘The ANPR has just picked them up at Llanfairfechan, which means that we’re not far behind. I still have no idea what they’re up to.’

‘Or if Ellie is even in the car, remember. Just because you found the toy and I noticed that the remaining water in the kettle was lukewarm means nothing,’ Owen said, increasing his speed.

‘Don’t remind me but we have to do something.’

‘What make did you say the car was again?’ Owen said after a couple of minutes’ silence.

‘A grey Saab. Belonged to her husband. I thought you’d have remembered?’

Owen grunted. ‘Like the one two cars ahead?’

Gaby squinted out of the window screen, excitement starting to build.

‘Exactly like that one even down to the numberplate,’ she said, checking her phone. ‘Keep your distance. She’ll recognise me in a heartbeat.’

‘Do you want me to pull them over?’

‘I’m not sure if I’m honest. We don’t know for definite who’s in the car, do we?’ she said, staring at the one head she could see in the back seat.

‘And the last time we went in without backup …’

‘Someone nearly died. You don’t have to remind me. Okay, let me alert the team to what’s happening and keep as we are.’

After calling it in, she picked up her bag and, rummaging down the bottom, pulled out a pair of large sunglasses.

‘There’s a sun hat in the glove compartment if you think it might help?’

‘Bates, I’ve seen your taste in sunhats and I don’t really think that …’ She pulled out the khaki safari hat with a grimace and, shaking out the sand, popped it on her head. ‘There!’

Owen twisted away from the road a second, biting down on his lower lip. ‘Very fetching. Even your own mother would pass you by in the street.’

‘Ha-ha, very funny.’ She flipped down the visor and stared at her reflection in the mirror only to slam it back into place with a deep shuddering breath. ‘I barely recognise myself.’

‘And it’s unlikely they’ll recognise me! Sadly amazingly handsome, bearded Welshmen aren’t that uncommon while …’

‘While sexy Italian women are like gold dust? Is that what you were about to say?’

‘Of course it is, dear.’

She slapped his arm. ‘There speaks a man who has no idea of how to talk to women.’

‘What? But …’ He threw her a second look. ‘What’s wrong with giving a woman a compliment?’

‘Nothing, Owen. Nothing at all. Genuine compliments from genuine friends are very welcome. They raise a woman’s self-esteem and make the world seem a much happier place. But when the aforesaid woman appears to be wearing’ – she flicked a finger at the brim – ‘something found among Tarzan’s castoffs, that’s a completely different animal.’

‘I’ll never understand women.’

‘And that’s your problem because you’re not meant to.’

‘Harrumph,’ he said, bringing the conversation to a halt, which was so typical of him that she struggled not to pass comment.

They were in the middle of an escalating situation and yet the banter between them was the best it had ever been. Some coppers grew silent when situations reached danger point. Owen and Gaby cracked jokes. It was time to worry when the repartee stopped.

‘Okay. If I’m not allowed to compliment you or question your decision-making, what about that timeline? What does it tell us?’

Gaby grinned, pulling out the folded paper from her trouser pocket. ‘Darling, whatever would I do without you?’

‘You can cut out the soft-soaping crap for a start.’

She smoothed out the creases and scrolled through the columns, taking a moment to frame a suitable reply. ‘I have no idea how or even why Kate puts up with …’ She paused, her fingers clenching and almost digging a hole in the paper, her attention on the car up ahead.

‘What? What is it?’

‘It’s where this game gets very interesting, very interesting indeed.’ Gaby positioned herself next to the window, all trace of their earlier banter forgotten. ‘Tell me again about those interviews you carried out yesterday in relation to that problem over at the Memorial Gardens.’

‘The interviews?’ he said, adjusting his sun visor. ‘Well, there was Martin Penrose first back at the

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