Have you see Aine?’ It was like a nightmare repetition of the previous day. Brigid went off without waiting for an answer and Joseph heard his father’s voice downstairs calling for Aine. He got up quickly, still in yesterday’s clothes, and went out on to the landing. By the time he got there the panic was over. His mother was on her knees with her arms around Aine, who peered with sleepy indifference over her shoulder and straight at him. His father, outside now, was still calling. Joseph ran down to enlighten him. Trish was woken by the sound of a helicopter flying low over the house. For a moment she didn’t know where she was, then everything came back like a tightening noose. Thomas was standing at the door watching the helicopter as it made a pass over the lake and swept away inland. Trish joined him. ‘Never thought I’d be so glad to see one of those,’ said Trish. ‘They’re sure to find her with that.’ ‘If she’s on the ground,’ said Thomas. He went back into the kitchen.
