She heard it ringing as she shut the kitchen door behind her but she didn’t go back to answer it. She had a meal to cook. Emma heard the phone but she let it ring. She was bathing Helen in the children’s bathroom at the top of the house. A red net filled with plastic toys was strung round the taps and the shower curtain had pictures of the Little Mermaid. A clockwork turtle swam towards Helen, who splashed the water with her feet and chortled. The phone stopped. The answering machine would have clicked on. It would probably be for Brian. Business. Or rugby. Owen answered the phone before the answering machine was activated. They’d recently bought a cordless receiver – a toy for Brian – and Owen arrived at the bathroom door with it in his hand, proud of himself, expecting congratulations. ‘It’s Uncle Mark.’ Jesus, she thought. What’s he done now? She lifted Helen out of the bath and wrapped her in a towel.
What do You think about Ramsay 06 - The Baby-Snatcher?
