Page 35 of The House Swap

The wait was longer this time, and Poppy wandered out onto the terrace, staring at the empty sun lounger Keira had been using, then at the swimming pool. In the distance, she could see the shimmering blue of the sea.

‘Where the hell are you, Keira?’

A short while later, her phone rang.

It was Jem.

‘Hello?’

‘Hey, it’s me. I thought it would be easier calling than sending messages.’

‘Did you speak to Sue and Ian?’ she asked, cutting straight to the point.

‘Yes, I’ve just come from theirs. Neither of them has seen Keira, but Sue says a taxi passed her when she was out for her walk this morning. It came from your direction, so she thought she’d best mention it.’

‘A taxi,’ she repeated. Was it possible that Keira really had gone home? It would explain why all her stuff had gone.

Although her shoulders loosened a fraction, it still disappointed her that her friend hadn’t said anything. She could have at least left a note. Surely she would realise Poppy would worry.

‘It might have been her or it might not,’ Jem continued. ‘But the roads are quiet this time of year. I’m sure either way she will be in touch soon to let you know what’s going on.’

Poppy hoped so, frustrated that there was nothing else she could do but wait.

And what if Jem was wrong? What if she didn’t hear from Keira?

‘Perhaps I should report her as missing,’ she mused out loud.

Jem hesitated before replying. ‘You don’t know that she is missing yet, Poppy. It might be that she’s headed off out somewhere or that she’s had to get an emergency flight home. I think you need to allow her a little time to get in touch before you go running to the police.’

‘But she hasn’t even seen the WhatsApp message I sent her!’

‘If she’s in the air, she won’t have,’ he gently pointed out.

‘I guess.’ Poppy still didn’t like it. Keira was spontaneous, but this behaviour was still out of character for her.

‘Look, give it a couple more hours,’ Jem suggested. ‘If you haven’t heard from her by late afternoon, then I’ll take you to the police station myself. Deal?’

Poppy hesitated. She could wait a little bit longer, she guessed.

‘Okay. Deal.’

Keira’s message came through mid-afternoon.

Poppy had packed her groceries away, made some lunch – which she had no appetite for – and attempted to lose herself in a book. It didn’t work, though, and she barely made it through two pages, far too distracted to focus on the words.

When her phone vibrated, she snatched it up.

A WhatsApp notification.

Keira.

Her heart jumped as she opened it.

There’s been an emergency and I’ve had to get a flight home. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything later. Please don’t worry. xx

Relief rushed through Poppy, fast and dizzying. Keira was okay.

Though what had happened for her to have to rush home without saying goodbye?