The Disappearance in Liverstone

CHAPTER 10

Maeve sat in the passenger seat next to Fiona. They had just parked up at Liverstone Police Station. She had sat in silence. She didn't want to be here, but she had told herself she would be okay. "Do you want to come in?" Fiona asked. Maeve continued to stare down at her feet. She studied every curve of her shoes and each bit of dirt on the car floor. "I know, it's hard." Fiona added. A hint of pain was still in her voice, lingering. Maeve took a sharp breath in. "I'll come." She said quietly. Maeve got herself out the car and into the pouring rain. Maeve stepped up onto the pavement and stood under the small awning. She watched as Fiona took Ella's phone out of the back seat. It lay in a clear plastic freezer bag. Fiona stepped onto the wet pavement and Maeve followed her round the side of the red brick building. Maeve stepped through the glass, sliding doors and into the white and blue reception. 

In the reception, 3 people were sitting on the blue chairs fixed to the left wall. Maeve and Fiona walked towards the reception desk, at the far right of the room. Maeve stood slightly behind Fiona, staring down at the grey wooden floor. "Hello, welcome to Liverstone Police Station. How can I help you?" The receptionist asked. Maeve looked up slowly, and glared at the lady. She had dark brown hair and lots of freckles. "I have Ella's phone, Ella Davies." Fiona held up the freezer bag. The lady analysed the bag before she spoke again. "Is there a specific officer you want this to go to?" The lady asked as Fiona lay the bag on the desk. The lady took the bag an placed it in front of her. "Officer Cochran. He's got a thick Scottish accent." Fiona said, looking down at the freezer bag. The lady ripped a yellow post-it note from the pile of them and grabbed a pen. Maeve and Fiona watched as she quickly wrote down the words 'For Cochran -' The lady paused after she drew the dash. "Who's phone is it?" The lady looked up and asked. She stared at Maeve's worried face. Maeve blinked hard and drew her attention to the floor again. She couldn't look at someone. She could barely talk. The whole situation had made her feel disabled. She felt all eyes were on her since her friend was missing. The news of Ella's disappearance was starting to move around the village. "Ella, Davies." Fiona said, staring down at the post-it note. The lady scribbled down the remaining words before sticking it to the bag. "I will get this to Officer Cochran as soon as possible. Thanks for handing this in." The lady placed the bag to the side. 

Maeve started to walk away, thinking the time in the Police Station was done. Fiona grabbed Maeve's arm and dragged her back to where Maeve was standing. "Sorry." Maeve whispered, hoping Fiona could hear it. "Before we go, is there any update on Ella?" The lady looked from her computer towards Fiona. The lady stuttered. Maeve got angrier after every stutter.  "I'm sorry, but there has been no sign of her." The lady said. Maeve felt her breathing get heavier. Tears started rolling down her face. "Ma'am? Are you okay?" The receptionist looked Maeve in the eyes. "No. I'm not." Maeve paused. The angriness was in her mouth. If she opened her mouth again, it would go. "Is there anything I can help with?" The lady asked. "Maeve?" Fiona placed a hand on Maeve's back. "SHE'S STILL MISSING BECAUSE OF YOU!" Maeve screamed. "YOU!" Maeve pointed at the receptionist. The lady looked at Maeve in pure horror. "YOU POLICE OFFICERS!" Maeve screamed. "Maeve, please." Fiona spoke quietly. "YOUR DOING FUCK ALL!" Maeve banged her hand on the desk. The stuff on the desk rattled slightly. "Ma'am. Can you please not use that language in here?" The receptionist stood up. "SHE COULD BE DEAD AND WE WOULDN'T KNOW! BECAUSE OF YOU!" Maeve shouted. Everyone in the room looked horrified. "Ma'am, can you please-" "FUCK YOU ALL!" Maeve smashed the desk one more time before storming out the building. 

"Maeve!" Fiona said, running into the rain after Maeve. Maeve was standing on the pavement that led down to the main road. The rain poured onto Mae, slowly drenching her. "I-I can't believe you!" Fiona sternly said. "I spoke the truth, didn't I?" Maeve yelled back. Fiona was stood under the awning, about 3 meters away from Maeve. "Well yeah. But your going to get your self in big trouble." Fiona slowly started to walk towards Maeve. "Come on Maeve. Get in the car." Fiona held onto Maeve's arm. Without a thought, Maeve slapped her hand away. "I'll walk home." Maeve started walking away. The walk slowly became a run. "Maeve!" Fiona chased after Maeve down the pavement. Maeve stopped and turned round. "I said I'd WALK HOME! NOW LEAVE!" Maeve stormed off down the street. 

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Fiona stood in the pouring rain, watching Maeve run off into the distance. She waited for a minute, waiting for Maeve to come back. She wouldn't though. Fiona slowly started to walk back to her car parked in the car park. 

Fiona sat in her car. She sat her head against the head rest slowly. Tears started slowly rolling down her cheeks. Fiona looked down at her jacket pocket and got out her phone. She pressed onto Messages and clicked on 'Monica (Maeve's Mum)'. Hi Monica. Maeve has screamed at the police again. She has now refused to get in the car with me and is walking home. Please, just make sure she is okay. Fiona watched as her thumb hovered over the SEND button. Slowly, Fiona pressed it and watched as the message delivered. Fiona placed her phone back in her pocket. "Oh Ella." Fiona slowly said. "Come back. Please." Fiona sobbed into her hands. "Ella! Fiona screamed through the sobs.