I smiled at the lady in front of me. “Sure, a five year old child but …”

“No buts Charlie.” She shook her head firmly. “It doesn’t make any difference. I had to call them.”

“I understand. And what did they say?” It didn’t take much imagination to guess exactly what they said.

“They took some details but they couldn’t promise to spend much time on it.”

I watched as she started pacing up and down in front of me. I’d only come into the charity shop to fix her staff toilet. When I’d asked Beverly if she was having a nice day I was only making small talk, but it was clear I’d inadvertently stumbled onto the one topic of conversation guaranteed to excite her.

“Is it possible she just wandered off?” I asked.

“She’s a sausage dog Charlie. Her legs are tiny, it’s not like she could have gone far. I’m telling you, someone’s stolen her.”

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. When she’d told me about the tiny dog she’d named Tortoise I’d thought she was joking, but from the way she paced up and down, it was clear she was far from kidding. I stood up from where I’d been kneeling and gave her toilet a flush.

“There, all done.” I thought about my plans for the rest of the day and made a decision. “Now, how about you make us both a cuppa and you can tell me all about Tortoise. Maybe I can help?”

“Would you? Oh Charlie, that would be wonderful. Thank you!”

Without waiting for a reply she rushed out of the room in the direction of the staff kitchen. I carefully packed away my tools and, not for the first time, wondered how I managed to get myself into such crazy situations. I glanced at a business card in the bottom of my bag. Charlie Diamond, private investigator. I sighed. Wrong card, again. Although maybe it was a sign. I’d been talking about packing in the plumbing business for ages now. It seemed about right that my first plumbing gig in a month should lead to more investigative work. Best investigator this side of the Severn Bridge, or that’s what I liked to tell myself. My specialty was missing persons, I had a knack for tracking down the untrackable, but looking for a missing pet? This was new, even for me.

With one last glance around the room for stray tools, I picked up my bag and headed in the direction of the staff kitchen. Business was quiet and maybe a little distraction was just what I needed. I had a ‘no find, no fee’ policy but that didn’t extend to animals. This would simply be a bit of fun on the side, a chance to keep my hand in. Besides, there was something endearing about Beverly. If I could reunite her with her beloved pet, today would be a very good day.

“Tell me again how you got conned into this?” My daughter’s eyes were wet with tears.

“It’s not funny! And I didn’t get conned. I just wanted to help.”

“Oh Mum, you’re impossible!”

Grace called up the stairs to her sister. “Hey Lou, have you heard about Mum’s latest case?”

Before I could stop her, Grace had run up the stairs and into Louise’s room, apparently to fill her in on my dog hunt. I knew I should be thankful my daughters were sharing a joke, even if it was at my expense, but after losing most of the afternoon to Beverly and her dog, I was tired and my head had started to throb. All I really wanted was a long soak in a hot bath but there was dinner to prepare and the washing to put on. The joys of being a domestic goddess, I thought.

I was about to put the oven on when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and smiled. It was Rob, my favourite local police detective. “Hi Rob …”

“Is that Charlie Diamond, pet detective?”

“Oh ha, bloody ha! I take it someone told you about Tortoise.”

“Is that her name?” He laughed. “It just keeps getting better and better!”

Rob and I had a history that stretched back far longer than I cared to remember. He was my go-to guy when I needed some inside information. In exchange for which, I put up with his teasing. It was a good dynamic that worked for both of us although there were occasions, like right now, when I found myself wishing he wasn’t quite so all-knowing.

“How did you find out? Beverly told me your lot weren’t that interested.”

“Not interested in the welfare of a much-loved member of the community? How dare you!” He was laughing again. “I’ll have you know I was only ringing to offer my assistance. If there’s anything I can do, any help at all that you need, I’m only a phone call away.”

“Yeah right! You just wanted to take the mick!” I laughed and felt myself weakening. “It’s alright, I’d have done the same. So who told you?”

“Beverly came into the station, ‘bout an hour ago, told Trev on the front desk that she didn’t need our help any more, that she had a professional on the case. You can imagine how well that went down. When Trevor pushed her for a name she showed him your card.”

Oh brother! “No pressure then.”

Rob laughed. “None at all.”

“All I said was I’d ask around, do a bit of digging. Made no promises, I just wanted to help.”

“Heart of gold, that’s you Charlie.”

“Soft touch you mean!”

“You said it, not me. Now listen, there’s something else.”

“Oh?”

“Thing is, this isn’t the first animal to go missing.”

“Tell me something I don’t know! Have you seen the number of cat posters round town?”

“I don’t mean the cats. There’s been others. A few micro pigs.”

“Micro pigs? You’re kidding, right?”

“I wish I was. Google them, they’re really cute. Anyway, the point is, if you hear anything, come straight to me.” He paused. “Gotta go Charlie, that was the boss calling. Just remember what I said.”

And with that, the line went dead.

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When I walked into the kitchen the following morning to find the table set and fruit chopped, I got the first inkling that my daughters might be up to something. I could count on one hand the number of mornings I’d seen them up before ten on a Saturday and the last time we’d eaten breakfast together at the table was when they were about six. Most mornings breakfast consisted of Louise grabbing a banana as she rushed out to catch the bus. Grace was so scatty about breakfast I’d started giving her extra lunch money, making her promise to get a snack at break time.

“What’s going on?” I pressed my hand against Louise’s head. She didn’t feel hot.

Grace smiled sweetly and directed me to a chair. “We don’t know what you mean. Coffee?” She held up a pot and I nodded.

“Please.” I looked from Grace to Louise. “Well? What’s going on?” I asked again. “Why are you two up?”

“Why shouldn’t we make our favourite mother a nice nutritious breakfast ahead of a busy day?” 

“Busy day? Who said anything about a busy day?” I mentally ran through my agenda for the day. I was pretty sure there was nothing taxing planned. I needed to knock on a few doors later but that was about it. It was then that the penny dropped. “Oh I get it, this is about the dog again, isn’t it?”

Grace did her best to hide a smirk but Louise burst out laughing.

“You little …”

“Can you blame us?” Louise asked, her eyes wet with tears. “It’s just too funny. We couldn’t let you go out again without at least hearing all the gossip.”

I grabbed one of the strawberries from the bowl on the table and bit into it. “Well if it gets me table service at breakfast, it might be worth it.”

“So go on then, tell us all about it,” said Grace.

I shrugged. “Not much to tell. She’s called Tortoise.” I gave them both a stern look, daring them to giggle. “She’s five, Beverly’s had her since she was a puppy.”

“Do you think she’d let us take it for a walk?” Grace was uncharacteristically animated. “I’ve never seen a sausage dog before, except in YouTube videos.”

“I’ve got to find her first, remember?”

“Well yeah, but you always do.”

I was touched by my daughter’s faith but I didn’t share her optimism. “If she really has been stolen she could be long gone by now.”

“Ha, ha, good one Mum!” Louise was laughing again.

“It’s not funny Lou. Her poor owner’s distraught.”

“But with such little legs.” Louise looked from me to Grace. “Long gone?” She started giggling to herself as she wandered around the kitchen, picking up plates and putting them in the dishwasher.

“Ignore her,” Grace said. “Do you want some help? I could come with you when you knock on doors if you like?”

“Really?” I felt my spirits lift. It wasn’t often that either of the girls took much interest in my work and it would be lovely to have company. Door to door could get pretty repetitive. “That would be great, thanks! Let me finish this then I’ll go and get ready.”

I quickly finished my breakfast before rushing back upstairs to get dressed, keen to get going before Grace changed her mind.

Twenty minutes later I was starting to regret my daughter’s offer of help. I was swiftly coming to the conclusion that working alone was much more efficient. We’d only spoken to three people and if I had to listen to her complain about how cold she was for  much longer I was likely to lose the plot.

I sighed. “How about we go for a coffee to warm up?” It was Saturday after all, there was only so much work one could be expected to do on the weekend and it would be nice to sit and chat.

“Make it a hot chocolate and you’re on. I know just the place!” Grace’s eyes lit up as she led me in the direction of a pokey cafe. “You get the drinks in, I’ll find us a table upstairs.”

Before I could protest, Grace turned and headed up a narrow flight of stairs into the belly of the building. I looked around as I waited in the queue. This place had to be a fire hazard and I shuddered to imagine my children spending countless hours with their friends in this death trap but quickly shook the thought away. I knew I had a tendency to be overprotective when it came to Grace and Louise.

Tray loaded with drinks and a custard slice each, I carefully edged my way upstairs and soon spotted Grace sitting at a table near the window.

“Oooh custard slice, yummy. Thanks Mum.”

I took a sip of my coffee and was forced to admit that it was good. “How’d you know about this place?”

“Me and the girls come here sometimes on a Saturday. The hot chocolate is to die for!”

“Not literally I hope!”

“What?” Grace looked confused.

“Nothing.” I paused. “So how are things with you?” It wasn’t often that I got time alone with either of my girls and I was keen to make the most of the opportunity.

Grace shrugged. “Alright I guess.”

“School going okay? Not long ’till the exams now.”

Grace and Louise were preparing for their A-levels. Louise had drawn up revision timetables and highlighted the relevant sections of her study guides months ago. Her bedroom was like an Aladdin’s cave, the walls covered in charts and checkboxes. Grace, by contrast, appeared to be taking the laid back approach.

She shrugged again. “It’s fine Mum, honest.”

“It’s just, you don’t seem to have done much in the way of revision yet love.” I chose my words carefully, keen not to compare her to Louise.

“I’ve got it all under control. Now tell me about these micro-pigs. Did Rob say where you get them from?”

And with that the conversation was over. I knew better than to push Grace. She was very bright, they both were, but if she got it into her head she was being steered in a specific direction, there was a better than average chance she’d overreact and throw the whole lot away. The last thing I needed right now was teenage histrionics.

I smiled, took a deep breath, and started to tell Grace everything I knew about the missing pets. I just had to hope I was doing the right thing by not pushing her. She was nearly an adult but that didn’t stop me from worrying about my headstrong daughter.

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By the time Monday morning rolled round again, I decided I had more than enough to worry about, without giving in to panic attacks about Grace’s study habits, or lack there of. Rob had phoned offering to take me out to lunch. Usually this meant one of two things. Either he wanted to tap me for information or warn me off a case. Seeing as my house to house enquires had drawn exactly zero leads, I was afraid he was about to try and talk me out of wasting any more time looking for Tortoise. The more he pushed me to give up, the more likely I was to dig my heels in, but secretly I was afraid he might be right.

Rob was waiting for me in our favourite railway cafe, two coffees already on the table. He smiled as I sat down and pushed one in my direction. “Thought you might need this.”

“Thanks.” I took a sip, waiting for Rob to tell me what he wanted. When he didn’t speak I started looking through the menu. Two could play at his game and I was determined not to be the first to break the silence.

The seconds ticked by before Rob eventually cleared his throat. “How’s it going then?”

“It?” I said, feigning ignorance. I could guess exactly what he meant but I wasn’t about to make it easy for him.

Rob smiled. “Come on, don’t make me say it.” 

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Fine, have it your way.” He took a deep breath. “Any news on the missing pup?”

“She’s still missing.”

“And?”

I shrugged. “And nothing. I knocked on a few doors, asked around, but no-one’s seen her.”

“I guess it would be easy to miss such a little dog.” He hesitated. “Anyone mention the pigs?”

“Nope. Are you going to tell me what this is really about?”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, since when did CID take such an active interest in a few missing pets? Something’s going on and I want to know what.”

Rob looked at the floor.

“Ha! I knew it! Come on Rob, spill!”

He opened his mouth and was about to speak when his phone on the table in front of us burst into life. He glanced at the screen before grabbing it and standing up. “Sorry Charlie, got to take this.”

I watched as he rushed outside and started pacing up and down in front of the cafe.

A waitress arrived at the table to take our order. “What can I get you?”

I glanced up at Rob’s still pacing form. “Can you give us a minute? I’m not sure what he wants. Another coffee while I wait would be wonderful though. Thanks!”

I sipped at my second coffee and considered all the possible reasons Rob and his colleagues might have for investigating stolen pets and came up blank. If it had been valuable livestock I could have convinced myself there was a case to be made but tiny pigs and a sausage dog? It made no sense. I couldn’t wait to hear Rob’s explanation but when I looked up again I saw that he’d gone, leaving me to pay for the coffees. Typical!

I typed a quick text message. Where did you go?!? By the time I’d finished my coffee, he still hadn’t come back, or replied to my text, so I paid for the drinks and headed in the direction of Beverly’s house.

When Grace and I had visited Beverly’s street on Saturday, parking had been a nightmare but this time the road looked deserted. I left my car outside Beverly’s house and knocked on her neighbour’s door, two houses down. No-one had been home when I knocked on Saturday and after listening to a dog barking next door for almost a full minute, I was about to give up again. As I turned to try next door, movement from behind the glass door caught my attention and I knocked one more time. The outline of a figure appeared behind the glass and when the door was finally opened, I understood why it had taken so long for my knock to be answered. The lady standing in front of me was about my age but her face looked almost grey. 

I held out one of my business cards. “My name’s Charlie Diamond. I’m helping one of your neighbours, Beverly? Her dog’s gone missing.”

The lady smiled but when she spoke it was clear she was in pain. “Do you want to come in? Probably easier.”

Without waiting for an answer she turned and slowly edged her way along the corridor from her front door. I stepped into her home, closed the door behind me, and followed her into a sitting room. She gestured to a sofa and I sat down, waiting while she made herself comfortable on a chair opposite.

I watched as she took an oxygen tube from the side of her chair. When she was all hooked up she smiled again. “Sorry, I can’t stand for long, especially not without this.” She gestured to the tank tucked away at the side of her chair. “Now you were saying something about Tortoise?”

“You know about the dog then?” Relief flooded my body as she nodded her head. Hers was the first positive reaction I’d had.

“I used to go round there, before I got sick. You know she can’t be left alone for too long?”

“Why not?” I’d always thought of sausage dogs as being quite low maintenance pets, it wasn’t like they’d need a lot of walking, so this was news to me.

She smiled. “Poor old girl, if she’s on her own too long she gets anxious. That’s why they’re better in pairs.”

“But Tortoise lives alone?”

The lady nodded. “Ever since the other one died. Before I moved here so I don’t know much about it. I’m Claire, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you Claire.” I stood up and shook her hand. “When did you last see Tortoise?”

“It’s been ages now, probably six months, maybe a bit more.”

“And Beverly? Do you see her much?”

“Oh yes, she pops in here a couple of times a week. Brings me bits and bobs from the shop. She’s so kind.”

“She told you her suspicions about the dog’s disappearance?”

Claire nodded. “Why would someone do something like that? Beverly wouldn’t hurt a fly, it’s so cruel.”

“I’m afraid your guess is as good as mine.” I felt myself hesitating. “You believe her then? That she’s been stolen.”

“Of course.” Realisation flashed across her face. “You don’t? Why not?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to explore all possible angles. Any chance she could have accidentally wandered off?” 

“No way!” Claire shook her head emphatically. “Beverly adores Tortoise. Someone’s taken her. I just know it.”

Something about the way Claire spoke registered in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was yet but I was starting to get an inkling that maybe Rob was right and there was more to this missing dog than I’d been led to believe.

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After thanking Claire for her time and leaving her my card in case she heard anything about Tortoise, I knocked on Beverly’s door. She wasn’t a paying client but I wanted to keep her updated, even if I was currently drawing a blank. It had only been a couple of days but I loved to get an early break. The current dead ends were frustrating and I needed Beverly to know I was doing all I could. I also wanted to know more about their day to day routine. With Beverly out at work and Tortoise unable to be left alone for long, there had to be someone else helping to look after her elusive pet.

I knocked on Beverly’s door but there was no answer. After knocking a second time and with still no response, I decided to wander round the back. The side gate was locked so I climbed on the wall and peeked over. Online research had told me dachshunds liked to burrow so I’d expected Beverly’s garden to be a mess but hers was immaculate. It was possible she had an area for the dog round the other side out of sight but there was nothing about her setup that screamed “sausage dog” to the casual observer. When I’d spoken to Beverly’s next door neighbour on Saturday, she hadn’t even known Beverly had a dog. Her garden wasn’t overlooked. If Tortoise had been stolen, this had to have been planned. 

It was time to speak to Beverly again. She wasn’t home so I decided to try her in the charity shop. She seemed to love her job so it wouldn’t surprise me to find her there. Having got myself a parking space I decided to leave the car where it was and head to the shop on foot. It was a warm day and the fresh air would do me good. As I walked I tried to imagine the route the dog might have taken, if she had in fact escaped, but it was impossible to guess. Besides, this was a close-knit community. Even if no-one had known about Tortoise, I liked to think someone would have handed a wandering dog into the police or local vet.

The bell above the shop door rang as I opened it and the two ladies inside turned to look at me. Beverly had told me she had a whole crew of different helpers every day of the week. I held out my card.

“Charlie Diamond, I’m here to see Beverly if she’s around?”

One of the ladies took the card and looked at it. “Charlie Diamond, private investigator. Oooh, what’s she been up to now?” She leaned in and spoke in a whisper. “Have you been tailing her?”

I laughed. “No, nothing like that. I’m helping her find her dog.”

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “She’s out the back. Show Charlie the way would you Jill?”

I followed Jill as she led me through the shop and out into the storage room at the back.

“Bev love? Someone here to see you. It’s your investigator.” She turned to me. “Go in, she won’t be a minute.”

I did as I was told and walked into Beverly’s kingdom. Judging by the bags littering the floor near the door, they’d just recently had a donation. Cuddly toys, if the outline in the bags were anything to go by. When I’d first met Beverly I’d been blown away by her attention to detail and ability to create order from apparent chaos. I knew it wouldn’t be long before order was restored.

“Beverly?” I called out as I walked in but she didn’t reply. The sound of a flush coming from the belly of the building gave her away and I waited, expecting her to appear any minute.

“Hi Charlie!” She smiled when she walked in to find me standing in her stock room. “Sorry, have you been here long?”

I shook my head. “Just arrived. Wanted to let you know that I’ve spoken to a few of your neighbours. It’s not good news I’m afraid. No-one’s seen her.”

I watched as her face, which was usually calm and composed, collapsed. She sunk into a chair and buried her face in her hands. 

“I’m sorry.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m not giving up though.”

She lifted her head slightly and gave me a watery smile. “What will you do now?”

“Keep looking. Someone must have seen something.” I hesitated, not sure if she was up to too much questioning. “I wanted to ask you about Tortoise’s routine. She liked to play outside?”

“In the summer, but right now she’s indoors. Or, she was.” Beverly’s eyes filled with tears.

“You mean she was stolen from your house?”

Beverly nodded.

“You didn’t mention that. If you think someone’s been inside your house, that’s important.” I sighed and spoke more softly. “I wish you’d told me.”

“Sorry, I thought you knew. No-one would keep a little dog like Tortoise outside in this weather.”

After mentally cursing my stupidity for not having asked about the dog’s living arrangements sooner, I decided that late was still better than never. I also knew what I would do next. Rob had told me to let him know about any developments but if he wanted the inside scoop it was time for him to make himself useful.

I smiled at Beverly. “Cheer up, this is actually great news. At least now I have a line of enquiry.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It means it’s time to call in a favour. What time do you finish here?”

“Not ’til about six. I need to close up and then run the hoover around.”

“Perfect! I’ll be outside your house at six sharp.” I turned and started to head towards the door.

“What favour?” When I didn’t reply she called to me again. “Charlie? What favour? Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“You’ll see. Six o’clock.”

I skipped off in the direction of Beverly’s house. I had a lot to do between now and then if I was going to keep my promise to Beverly and I knew exactly who was going to help me, whether he liked it or not.

The phone rang just once before he answered. I didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. “Rob? Got a lead.” I gave him Beverly’s address. “Meet me there at five. I’ll explain everything when I see you.”

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My mind flew into overdrive as I walked back to Beverly’s house. I still had a few hours to kill before Rob arrived but with this tiny hint of a break in the case I felt re-energised. For the second time that day I knocked on Claire’s front door and waited. This time I only knocked once, knowing that it would take Claire a few minutes to get to me, and my patience was rewarded with a smile.

“Charlie! Back so soon? Are you coming in?”

I followed her back into her sitting room and waited while she hooked herself up to her oxygen supply. It took all my self-control to wait and when she eventually turned her attention back to me, I could barely contain my excitement.

“The dog lives inside at the moment doesn’t she? Because it’s so cold?”

Claire nodded. “That’s right. Beverly’s got a lovely space set up for her. Have you seen it?”

“Not yet. She’s promised to show me around when she gets back from work later.”

“You’ll love it. It’s very impressive.”

“Sounds great. Tell me Claire, do you spend a lot of time in this room?”

She smiled. “I’m afraid so.” She gestured to the window. “At least the view’s not too shabby.”

I had to admit that, as street views went, I’d definitely seen worse. “Is it a busy street? Lots of people coming and going?”

“It’s not too bad. Busier at rush hour I guess.” She gave me a look. “Why’d you ask?”

I shrugged. “Just making conversation really.”

“Ha! I don’t believe that for one second Charlie Diamond. You’re sniffing for information. I can tell.”

I felt a giggle rise and catch in my throat. “Maybe I am.” There was something refreshing about Claire’s directness.

“What do you want to know?”

“How about I make us both a cuppa first? Kitchen through here is it?” I stood up and started heading for the door.

“Wait!” Claire’s tone was sharp. “Tell me what you want to know first.” She smiled. “And then we can make the tea.”

I sat down again and took a deep breath. “Have you seen anyone hanging about? Maybe a car you don’t recognise or someone wandering around?”

“Thank you.” She stood up and unhooked herself from the oxygen supply. “This way.”

Before I could say any more, she’d left the room and I was forced to hurry to catch up to her. When we arrived in her kitchen I watched as she hooked herself up to an oxygen tank on a little trolly then she filled the kettle.

“Tea or coffee?”

“Coffee please. Milk, no sugar.”

She bustled around the kitchen gathering mugs and a teaspoon. “Pass the milk would you?” She gestured behind me where a large American style fridge stood.

I did as I was told and passed her the milk.

“Thanks.” She poured milk into the two mugs. “There was a man. But I wouldn’t exactly call him suspicious.”

“Oh?”

“More like ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ actually.”

“Oh.” I waited but she didn’t elaborate. “How old?”

“Dunno, late forties maybe. Hard to say. You know how George Clooney has that ageless quality that makes him sexy even though he’s old enough to be your dad?”

“I’m certain George Clooney isn’t old enough to be my dad.” I smiled. “But I know what you mean.” A thought occurred to me. “Did you ever see him visit Beverly?” I watched as colour flooded Claire’s cheeks. Oh Beverly, you saucy minx! It was obvious from Claire’s reaction that Beverly and I had a lot more than just her dog to talk about. I couldn’t wait.

A couple of hours later I was outside Beverly’s house again waiting for Rob. Claire hadn’t been able to tell me any more about Beverly’s mystery visitor, other than that he arrived at very random times. Despite my probing, Claire wouldn’t be drawn on the nature of the man’s visits but she confirmed that she’d seen no-one else hanging around and the only cars that parked on the street tended to be her neighbours or the occasional delivery driver.

 I glanced at the time on my phone as Rob pulled up. “You’re late.”

“Nice to see you too.” He unlocked the passenger door. “You getting in?”

It had started to drizzle and Beverly wasn’t due home until after six so I climbed in. “You owe me a coffee!”

“Sorry Charlie. Work. You know how it is.”

I did know how it was. I also knew when he was being evasive. “Anything you can tell me about?”

He shook his head. “Not a lot to tell. Got a few jobs on and one of the boys wanted me to go with him to lean on a scroat.”

“Sounds like an excuse straight out of NYPD Blue.” I laughed. “What really happened?”

“Why can’t you just accept it when I tell you it was a work thing? Why does everything have to be shrouded in conspiracy?”

“Woah, calm down Rob. I was only teasing.” It wasn’t like him to overreact.

“What did you want anyway? You said you had a lead?”

I nodded and gave Rob what I hoped was my most winning smile. “I do. What would you say if I told you our missing dog had gone missing from inside a locked house?”

“She wasn’t out in the garden?”

“Nope. Too cold.”

“Damn!” He rubbed his temples. “Our boys just assumed …”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, I did the same.”

“I take it she’s searched the house? The dog couldn’t have got stuck inside somewhere?”

“They like to burrow but no, I don’t think in the house.”

“Any signs of a forced entry? Finger prints?”

“None that she mentioned. But that’s why you’re here. I was hoping you’d take a look around, give the place the once over with your expert eye.”

“I should probably get a couple of the boys down here.”

“You’d do that?” Rob was usually reluctant to get his colleagues involved in my investigations.

“Of course. She came to us first. We have a certain duty of care, even if it is only a missing dog.”

“Stolen dog,” I reminded him.

He smiled. “Okay, sorry, suspected stolen dog. They should be finishing soon but one of the boys owes me a favour.”

He picked up his phone and I listened as he gave Beverly’s address to the person at the other end of the line. As he spoke I felt a niggle return to my insides. Rob was being very helpful. Too helpful? whispered a voice in my head. I had to trust him, he was my friend, but he was a police detective first and I knew where his loyalties lay if it was a choice between me and the job. I returned Rob’s smile and did my best to quieten the voices in my head.

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As Rob’s reinforcements arrived, I saw Beverly walking along the street towards us. They’d need to be fully briefed so I left Rob explaining the case to his men while I headed up the street to greet Beverly. She looked from me to the police vehicle parked in front of her house and visibly paled.

“What’s going on? Is this your favour?”

“Rob, the man in the…

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Given my less that illustrious track record with men, I knew I was probably the wrong person to be giving Beverly relationship advice but as I listened to her describe the way this particular creature had crawled in and out of her life on a schedule to suit only himself, I couldn’t keep quiet.

“What a creep!”

Beverly looked shocked but then her face softe…

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I was in a foul mood by the time I got home and walking into a kitchen that looked like a disaster zone did nothing to ease my grumpiness. My head was aching and the scratchy feeling in my throat held the promise of a cold. Grace took one look at me and swiftly went upstairs but Louise, silly girl, was apparently determined to help turn my day around wi…

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Missy whimpered and pulled at her lead as we hid together, crouched behind a tree. I was usually the last person to run and hide but something about the tone of the voices had startled me. I knew better than to doubt my instincts, even if Missy hated being made to wait. I gave Missy another treat, mentally willing her to understand, but she was not to b…

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I considered sending Rob’s phone call to voicemail but knowing that that would only make him even more determined to speak to me, I plastered a smile on my face and pressed the button to answer my phone.

“Hi Rob, how are you?”

“Morning Charlie. Glad I caught you. I rang your house but Grace said you were out.”

Grace was meant to be at school. I felt anxiet…

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As I pulled up in front of our little home in Gloddfa Bont, I heard Grace before I saw her. Music was blaring from an open upstairs window and my daughter was singing tunelessly from the top of her lungs. I didn’t recognise the song but the lyrics made me wince. If she really wanted a faceless him to do that to her, she and I clearly needed a conversati…

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After waving the girls off to catch the bus the following morning, reminding Grace that she needed to stay in school all day and not convince local lads to drive her home, I headed over to Burry Port to see Beverly. The time had come to be honest with her about my efforts, or lack there of. I was only looking for her dog as a favour, I reminded myself w…

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The man’s voice was ringing in my ears as I ran and I didn’t stop until I’d reached the bottom of the hill leading to the hotel. I paused to catch my breath and listened for footsteps but no-one had followed me. I cursed myself for being so silly. I didn’t know what it was about the man but he sent a terror through my veins. I walked slowly up the hill …

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After my run in with the creepy bloke earlier and the stench up at the hotel, I wasn’t keen to hang around town waiting for Rob’s email so I decided to head home and take Missy out for a quick walk instead. She leapt up and down like a yoyo when she saw me reach for her lead and as soon as I got it on her, she made it perfectly clear that she would in f…

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“Mrs Williams? Charlie Diamond. Lovely to meet you.”

“Come in, come in.” The lady stood to one side. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“I was passing anyway. Besides, I don’t think it’ll be a big job.”

Mrs Williams’s home was a small mid-terrace with the front door opening straight into the living room. She had an ancient looking television in one corner…

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I threw the van into gear and pulled away from Mrs Williams’s house with a screech of tyres. I could hear the blood thundering in my ears. I didn’t know who the woman on the other end of the phone had been but I didn’t appreciate her tone one bit. I also didn’t trust her to tell Rob I’d called so I decided that as soon as I stopped the van I’d send him …

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I wanted to tell Rob to sod off, to ignore his words and go back to my fist through the door pane routine but, as stubborn as I knew I could be, I wasn’t a complete idiot. If nothing else, I had to proceed with a little caution. I didn’t put it past Rob to send someone in uniform up here, just to make sure I wasn’t hanging around. The last thing I neede…

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The address Jill had given me was for a small house on the outskirts of town. Much like Mrs Williams’s home, it was a terraced house with a small patch of grass at the front. I tried to imagine a small pig running around on the grass, because I couldn’t think where else such an animal might exercise. This part of town was a little more neglected-looking…

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I slammed the front door shut and rested my body against it. It had been a very long day and I was ready for a nice quiet evening with my two darling daughters.

“And what time do you call this?” Grace said, a smile on her face. “Your dinner was ready hours ago. I almost sent out a search party.”

“Very funny. Sorry I’m so late. Have you had a good day?”

“Th…

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I woke the following morning to find the house in silence and a note on the kitchen table. Gone to school. See you later. Eat this. Next to the note was a cold sausage sandwich. I assumed it was Louise's doing, Grace wasn't a fan of breakfast, and sent her a message to thank her. After being such appalling company the previous evening I knew I had some …

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