Chapter 6 chapter Five

The waiting — tinged with uncertainty and frustration of powerlessness — is unbearable.Philippa was not going to take me to Anglesey, and I begged.She insisted that the local police did their best with the inquiries and they knew the area.Nothing I said or did seemed likely to change her opinion.Tears of anger and frustration kept pouring down my cheeks. I pressed my eyes with a wet handkerchief, tried to block out the sound in the room, and focused on imagining the faces of the children, whispering comforting words that they could not hear. And words of reassurance for them, I hope they can come back to me.

Through the sobs, faintly, I heard those voices change again.This time was different, with no intermittent direction or sense of purpose.With a long sigh, the breath in the room seemed to be taken away.I couldn't tell if it was a sigh of regret, grief, or something else entirely. I feel the other end of the couch being pinned down and someone sits there and strokes my wet hair back.I heard a voice but couldn't make out what was said. "We found them, Olivia. They're all right. Your husband and children are all right. They're on their way home. They're all safe and sound."

I could hear the smile in Philippa's voice, and I was glad there was something to make her happy, but it took me a while to get it. "What?" I asked tremblingly. "Where are they? Are you sure they're all right?" Philippa reached out and squeezed mine, reassuring me. "They were found in a bed on Anglesey where they had breakfast. Your husband said that was where you used to go." Philippa looked at me kindly. Good. You have nothing to worry about." I haven't had time to fully digest the fact that the kids are unharmed and on their way back, let alone other specific circumstances.I noticed that Agent Tippitz was packing his bags. Everyone else seemed to have left, except for Philippa and Tippitz.Are they going too?I don't think I'll be able to handle it alone when Robert comes back.I looked around in panic, and Philippa seemed to read my thoughts.

"Don't worry, Olivia. Agent Tippitz will be here with you until your husband returns." I stared at her in panic.I can't feel a sympathy from that man, I don't want him here. "Can't you stay?" I asked rather helplessly. She looked at me, then at Agent Tippitz.I could see she was puzzled, and it dawned on me that this was supposed to be the job of low-level cops, but at this moment, I felt that Philippa was my closest, almost friend.She gave me a slight sigh, barely audible. "Well, I just wanted to go home and see my cat and sleep for a few hours. You go, Ryan. You go first." She turned to me, "Okay, Olivia. I'm nowhere Go, I'll stay with you."

I looked at her and knew my eyes must look wild.I was distraught and overwhelmed, yet relieved to know they were safe. "Why don't you go upstairs and wash your face quickly? The kids won't see you so nervous," she suggested softly. God!I must have looked horrible, my hair felt like knotted straw. My legs were still shaking and Philippa helped me to my feet and led me towards the stairs. "Can you hold it?" she asked.But I have to hold on, I have to pull myself together until the kids come back. I dragged my tired body upstairs, walked into the bathroom, and glanced at myself in the mirror: my eyes were red, with black mascara smudged around them, and my face was smudged.I still wanted to cry, so I sat down on the toilet seat and sobbed in relief.Thank goodness!

what is he doingWhat was he thinking about? The tears gradually receded, and I stood up, trying to rebuild my face.I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and patted some minimally-used foundation on my face to cover up the abysmal rash.Nothing can hide red eyes, but chances are the kids won't notice. For the next hour I sat on the edge of the couch, knees together, hands clasped, twisting and rubbing back and forth, unable to stop. Then we heard the sound of the car coming up the driveway, and the headlights cast a thin line of light on the wall as the car turned the corner.I quickly stood up from the sofa and opened the door.

Robert was running towards me from the driveway with arms outstretched, I vaguely heard him yelling something to me, but I moved away from him, I don't have time for him now. I just want to see my little ones.