Page 168 - My Home on the Earth

Stuart laughed. ‘Ah! It never leaves us, does it? Military training and jargon.’
‘Stuart, I need time to think about this. If he is here with my wife, what is she playing at? Why isn’t Jake living with her and attending school? Furthermore, why did she come here, of all places? We don’t know anyone who lives in Rauston Quay. And where is Jake right now?’
‘He’ll be found, Alan. No doubt about that. Meanwhile, why don’t you come home with me? We’ll have dinner and then we’ll order a taxi to take you to your hotel.’
‘You’re very kind. I don’t want to be any trouble.’
‘Not at all. My wife loves company.’
Marjorie Bannister warmly greeted Alan and was
accustomed to her husband bringing unexpected guests home for dinner. She welcomed Alan into their home. Tonight it was steak pie with beer gravy, a favourite with Stuart. ‘A substantial man’s meal,’ he laughed, patting his stomach. ‘You won’t eat any of those airy-fairy salad meals in this house.’
They had been talking lightly before sitting down to dinner when Alan noticed a photograph of the security woman on the mantelpiece. He lowered his gaze when their conversation changed.
Marjorie was intrigued. ‘Are your family here on holiday, Alan?’
‘No. I wish they were. My son and his mum are missing, although Stuart assures me he knows where my son has been staying. All we have to do is to find him.’
‘And how do you propose to do that, darling?’ she asked, smiling at her husband.
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