Talk Over Tea

Katie

I've invited her in. I'm nervous now. She's a lot older than pictures I've seen of her. She's aged. I suppose your daughter disappearing will do that to you.

I haven't confronted Dad. I feel though with Bethan coming here that I'm going to have to. When I first got the photos developed, I was so sure about what I should do but now, if truth be told, I'm worried. I'm not sure what I've started here.

Bethan

She lets me in. I can see that she's nervous. My hands are shaking too. I feel lightheaded. It's a mixture of excitement and confusion. I mean, how old is she? She looks the same age as... She said that Dave is her dad but she could mean stepdad, right? But she looks like him. Or have I imagined that because she said Dave was her dad? No, it can't be. Dave wouldn't have, would he? But if he did, that means that he had Katie all those years...

Oh my God. All those times away with work...he couldn't have been here, could he? With his other daughter?

Okay. That's too much to process and I'm making leaps without foundation. That's a stretch, Bethan. That's the stuff of novels. It doesn't happen in real life. Come on. Just focus on the photos. Just deal with that today. This is about the boys and finding out what happened to Laney.

*

Katie brings Bethan a mug of tea and puts it down in front of her. Katie can sense the woman's agitation. She is regretting putting herself in this position and hopes that she can handle it.

"Thanks," Bethan says, blankly.

Bethan picks up the tea to hold it and takes strength from its warmth. Katie is sitting on a higher chair, straight-backed, ready for an inquisition. There is tension in the silence that feels like when it's broken, its power will be unleashed like a tornado.

"So," Bethan finally says. "Let's talk about the photo."

Katie's stomach lurches.

"Where did you get it?"

"I found a camera."

Bethan is suddenly alert.

"Where?"

"Here. In a wardrobe."

Bethan scans Katie's face.

Katie adds: "I think it's my dad's."

***

366 words

Those of you following this series will be pleased to know that I am going away for the weekend - lucky me! - and so, there will be a staggering four of these released today as I try to keep my writing streak going.

Now all I've got to do is write them.

L.C. Schäfer has suggested that I do a pillar post for these and so I will set to work on that straightaway as I think that is a good idea but it may not be published until next week.

This all started here:

Yesterday's story:

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