The Empty Nest

by Sue Watson

if I have to call them. I hope it won’t come to the police – I hope she calls me in the next five

both my hands in his. ‘Look, it’s the weekend and she

around his fork slowly, while I count grains of rice – our combined stress thrumming beneath the surface, like the sound of the fridge.

daughter that I don’t?

Someone who has upset her,’ he

her red-checked scarf isn’t anywhere in the room. ‘I can’t find her red scarf or

Anger now permeates my fear, I’m hurt and

beginning to think I could keep her

I’d say. ‘But who’s the brilliantist?’ Jodie would ask, and I’d laugh, and try to be diplomatic and say they were both the ‘brilliantist’. The problem with being the mother of an only child, is that you have to remember when another child is around. I once told Amy she was ‘the most gorgeous girl in the world’, forgetting

his bloody courtroom voice, but

do anything right as far as you’re concerned. What is it about her that

the one her mother wanted her to. Jodie’s never been academic and I always thought she’d struggle with medicine, but I have to outwardly stay loyal to Zoe. ‘I think… as long as you’re happy, that’s what matters,’ I say, avoiding anything that may be quoted

enthusiastic initially?’ ‘Did I?’ ‘Yes, did something

may be able to shed any light on how she was last week at uni?’ ‘Yeah… thing is, Mrs Ellis, Amy was quite taken with Dr Olsen.’ ‘Sorry?’ I can’t get my head round this. Is it something to do with the rumours she’d alluded to?

in this man, whoever he is – nor am I interested in any conversations he’s had with his bloody wife about it. ‘Has he told the police about the situation with Amy?’ I ask, because if he hasn’t I sure as hell will. ‘I don’t know. The police

feel any less guilty, I don’t think Amy just walked away from her life.’ But what has happened? And why? Seven days missing and still there are more questions than answers – I don’t know how much more I can take. Jodie asks me if I’d like

my eyes brimming with more unshed tears. I thought I was all cried out, but it seems there are always more waiting. ‘Of course, sweetie. You two have grown up together – gymnastics, brownies, ballet… and…’ She smiles. ‘Yeah, Amy was always better than

taken it badly.’ ‘Yes, yes,’ I say gently. ‘Just tell me what happened and where Amy is, Zoe.’ She looks straight at me. ‘Kat, I told her. I said, “Jodie don’t go on a long train journey to Aberystwyth, Amy might not want to see you. Wait until Amy gets home and you can tell her how bad you feel then.” But no, Jodie didn’t want that. To be honest, Kat, I think Jodie was worried if Amy came home, she might see Josh, and Josh might fall for her all over again. Jodie was used to being second place to Amy,’ she adds bitterly. I don’t respond, so she’ll continue.

to the wall again. ‘Always had to be the best, didn’t you? You and your daughter, your clever, pretty

her tongue. ‘Life’s always been

competitive, resentful mother who on the outside congratulated and smiled, but on the inside seethed at

to covet everything Amy had, including her boyfriend. ‘Everyone will understand,

danger in.’ ‘Stop this,’ Richard’s saying in a soothing voice, rubbing my back. ‘Please don’t ever blame yourself, you’re a wonderful mother.’ ‘Not anymore,’ I say. Heather reaches out her hand and holds mine. ‘You’ll always be Amy’s mum,’ she

she finds makes her wonder: