Free For the Sake of the Children: The first Chloe Webster thriller (Chloe Webster Thrillers Book 1) by Alex Highcliffe Page A

sounded English himself, and he had what Nathan recognised as a northern accent. He loomed over Nathan, who was still sat on the low wooden bench. Nathan didn’t really want to chat but he also wasn’t the type to be unnecessarily rude. The bright red of his daughter’s coat flashed into view and then disappeared behind the frame of the man standing before him.
    ‘Yeah, London. What about you?’
    ‘Oh you know, up north, as they say. I don’t suppose you’re overly familiar with that part of the country.’
    ‘No, I have to admit, I’ve never really ventured up there. I’ve been to north Wales though. Beautiful place.’ Nathan shuffled along the bench in order to get a better view of the play area. Francesca had moved to the swings which were beyond the slide, but he could still see her red coat darting around in the distance, despite the busy scene before him.
    ‘I’ve never had much time for the place myself, to be honest.’ The man stepped across in front of Nathan again. ‘You here on holiday?’
    Beginning to feel the first spikes of irritation, Nathan wanted to cut the conversation short. ‘Sort of. Anyway, I should be getting on, so if you’ll excuse me.’ He stood up to leave, but the man persevered.
    ‘I don’t suppose you know of any decent hotels around here do you?’
    ‘I don’t I’m afraid. This is my first time here for many years. I’m sure you’ll be able to find one back up towards the river. I think there are a few overlooking the water.’
    ‘Sounds perfect, thanks.’ The man checked his watch, looked around and then hurried off towards the park gate. Only then it occurred to Nathan that the man was wearing a watch. He’d started the conversation by asking the time. Something didn’t feel quite right and his first instinct was to check on his daughter. Not for the first time he was thankful for the bright red coat they’d bought her at the beginning of the winter. The splash of colour moved back and forth as she enjoyed the swings.
    Nathan began to stroll over towards the climbing frame. The sun was just beginning to touch the skyline and it was time to make their way back to the hotel to meet up with his wife for dinner. Now he just needed to persuade Francesca to get off the swings.
    As soon as he passed the slide the doubts began to surface in his mind. Francesca looked different somehow. She was sat facing away from him, pulling on the chains as she swung higher, blonde hair blowing in the wind, bright red coat glowing like a beacon.
    But the hair was longer and the coat was cheap.
    My God, it’s not her.
    The realisation struck him in an instant. This girl with blonde hair and a red coat that he’d been watching so carefully wasn’t Francesca. The panic was intense and immediate. His heart pounded and the pressure in his head was already clouding his thoughts.
    ‘Francesca!’ he shouted, and then again as loudly as he could. People stopped and stared at him; children looked at their parents with uncertainty.
    ‘Francesca! Where are you?’
    Desperation took hold so quickly. He knew she wasn’t here. There was nowhere to hide; only the slide and swings stood in the playground. An expanse of grass surrounded that and railings enclosed the whole space.
    She must be here. There’s no way out.
    Then he noticed another small gate in the metal fence and his heart sank to depths he didn’t know existed.

27                  
     
     
    Chloe was relieved to see the lights of home welcoming her as she closed the garden gate and made her way up to the cottage door. It had been another trying day and she really hoped things would settle down soon. The smell of fish and chips hit her as she entered the hallway and began to remove her heavy winter coat.
    ‘Dad, you really are spoiling me. I’m still trying to shift these extra Christmas pounds you know.’ She said the words loudly without knowing where her father was exactly, but knowing that he would hear