Page 120 of Guilty Mothers
She smiled ruefully. ‘Part of my treatment has included accepting my mother for who she is and choosing to love her anyway.’
Kim had wondered if they were dealing with a twisted kind of jealousy, targeting the girls who had done well and making them suffer through the loss of their mothers. But there had been no girl more prominent and successful than this one right here.
‘And how is your mom?’ Kim asked.
‘Very well when she was getting on the train a few hours ago.’
‘Train?’ Kim asked.
‘Yeah, she’s had a week away in Scotland. Loves it up there.’ She checked her watch. ‘Should be just off the train now. I promised to nip round later and listen to her tales of?—’
‘Call her,’ Kim said as the pebble of worry formed in her stomach. Was Bobbi’s mother safe only because she hadn’t been in the area?
‘Why?’ Bobbi asked, frowning.
‘Just do it,’ Kim said.
Bobbi took out her phone and rang the number, on speaker.
Kim’s heart quickened with every ring that wasn’t answered.
The call went to voicemail.
Bobbi immediately tried again. Same result.
‘What time does her train get in?’ Kim asked.
‘About ten minutes ago.’
‘To where?’
‘Cradley Heath.’
‘Is your mom on social media?’ Kim asked.
‘Isn’t everyone?’ Bobbi asked.
‘What platforms?’
‘Facebook,’ Bobbi said, rolling her eyes. ‘Loves showing off where she’s going and what she’s doing.’
‘Private or public?’ Kim asked.
‘Public…why?’ Bobbi asked as it dawned on her that Kim wasn’t making polite conversation.
‘Show me,’ Kim said.
With a few taps on her phone, Bobbi showed her the profile.
‘Shit,’ Kim said, barely needing to scroll. An innocent-enough post stated where she was leaving and what time she’d be getting back. It wouldn’t take a genius to use Trainline and fill in the blanks.
‘Who collects her?’ Kim asked, handing the phone back.
‘Sherwood Taxis. She calls them when she’s a couple of stops away.’
‘Ring them. See if they have her.’
‘Inspector, I think you need to calm down. I’m sure my mom is perfectly fine. Her phone was probably in a black spot.’