STOP PRETENDING

Chapter one

The year my son that had been abducted from me, was fifteen years ago on the 23rd of January, 2000. I've been looking for him ever since.
When he was born, he was the perfect child. Cute and fragile, with plummy checks and soft skin. Me and my husband, Art, decided to call him Harry. And that was the only precious thing I had from him.
That was the only time I held him. He was only two weeks old since someone took him.
Since he was taken, Art wanted to try for another baby. But I refused! So since then, we talked less. And less.
I was on my way home until I received a text from Kelly - my best friend. I've known her since Uni and we've been friends ever since and now, she was more like a sister to me. We told each other everything...
But today I wanted to be left alone.
As I arrived home, my phone vibrated. I checked the screen.
Kelly calling.
I shook my head and deleted the call. I then switched off my phone completely.
I was hoping that I was going to have a lie in, but as soon as I unlocked the front door using my heavy chain of keys, Art appeared in the doorway. He glanced anxiously at me - hoping we could 'talk'.
"Siobhan —"
"Don't!" I snapped. Without saying anything else, I quickly ran up the stairs.
Again, I was hoping he would leave me be, but as I reached the top of the landing, Art followed me into the bedroom.
"Siobhan, please!" He pleaded. "Can't we just... I mean, we haven't talked properly in ages since —"
"Since someone stole our son!" I snapped angrily. "He's been gone for FIFTEEN BLOODY YEARS, ART! I've been looking for him, working my arse off just to find something that could connect to Harry and the investigation. And all you've done was sit on your backside and not at least try to help me!" Tear prickled in my eyes. I wiped them angrily away. "Get out!"
And with that, he left. The room fell silent until I heard the front door slam from downstairs.
Finally!

Art didn't come home until around midnight. I was still awake by then, waiting for him. I didn't know why I was waiting. I just didn't. But somehow I wanted to shout at him.
I loved Art, really. But there was always this awkward aroma in the atmosphere around us that pulled us apart. Ever since Harry was abducted, all Art did was distant himself from me whenever we heard new evidence from the police about Harry. Both my parents had always been there for me with full support. So had Kelly. And before, it didn't occur to me that my brother, Johnny hadn't been in touch with me and my mum and dad for months.
But he had his own life to handle. And I knew that if I dragged him into my own problems, guilt would pile up inside me.

A few minutes later, Art entered the bedroom. We looked at each other, but didn't speak.
He cleared his throat - as if he wanted to say something. To my relief, he said nothing. He gave me a weak smile then turned to the 'en suite'.
As soon as the bathroom door closed,  I quickly got off our King-sized bed and went through my bag.
In a way, it was strange to once think that me and Art used to share a bed. But it's been a while since we slept together as a couple. So why wasn't I more open to him? Why wasn't he?
I couldn't let this distract me.
As my hand reached my phone, I suddenly remembered about Kelly. I took out my phone from my bag and switched it fully on. To my surprise, I noticed another missed call from Kelly and two old messages that was sent a few hours ago. I quickly went straight to my unread messages:
'Siobhan, when u get this mssge, pls call or text me. Kelly x'
'Siobhan, pls reply. I've got news. Kelly x'
A grin spread across my face. I knew what Kelly was like. Whatever 'news' she had was probably about another date with her new boss or something. I laughed as I thought about this. Well. That's Kelly for you.
I clicked onto the voicemail Kelly also left me.
'Hi, Siobhan. It's me again. Please call me as soon as you get this. I've got news about Harry...something to do with the people who kidnapped him... Anyway please call me ASAP!' The call ended from there.
Harry? What about him?
News?
My eyes widened as I replayed the call. My heart raced by listening intently.
"Siob?" That was Art. I looked up from my phone and stared blankly at him. I never knew he was there.
I cleared my throat. "How long have you been standing there?" I said, keeping my voice light and calm. He didn't answer.
"How long?" I repeated.
"Not long." He said at last. "Who was that on the phone?"
"No one that doesn't concern you." I said. I knew I was sounding harsh, but I couldn't help myself.
"Well there was no need to sound so harsh, Siobhan. I am your husband after all."
"Oh, really? I never knew that!" I said sarcastically, hands on my hips. "So when did you realise that, Art? Hmm? When was the last time you ever put that ring on your finger after hooking up with some girl last night?"
His eyes widened with shock. "I don't know—"
"Oh come on, Art! Stop playing hard to get!" I interrupted. "D'you really think I'd be that naïve? Thinking I'd be this obsessed mother working her socks off and trying her best looking for her son day and night, while her own husband decides to have a drink with some hot chick who could be a year or two younger than me? And thanks to my dad, he saw you with that girl you were with." Art didn't know what to say to that.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
"Well it's too late for that." I snapped. I needed to get out of here. Fast.
I sighed, shaking my head - with my phone clenched into my hand - and walked out of the room.

As I began to go downstairs, I quickly scrolled down the list of names on my contact list until I found Kelly's name. As I did that, I hit the 'call' button and raced down the stairs.
It took three tries to reach Kelly. Then another four until finally, I heard Kelly's voice on the other end of the line.
"Hello, Siobhan," she said with relief in her voice. "what the hell happened earlier?"
"Hi." I replied. "Sorry about not getting hold of you. I was just a bit stressed out about work and Art."
"Ooh! So who got busted?" She said excitedly.
I let out a laugh. Kelly was always the one who knew how to cheer me up.
"Well let's just say the cat got out the bag quite easily." I said feeling happy.
"Ha! I knew it! So what did Art do this time?"
"Well nothing that would fool me that easily." I said, not caring if Art was listening. "Anyway, I'm gonna come round to yours now because you wanted to speak to me about some news on Harry. It's okay if this isn't a good time so —"
"No, absolutely!" She said.
"Ok, I'll to be there in a bit."
"Roger that."
I ended the call there.
Suddenly realizing that I hadn't got my car keys and my bag, I quickly went back to mine and Arts bedroom.
"I'm just popping out for a bit." I said, quickly rummaging around the room. Art looked up from his laptop. There! The car keys were lying about on the desk next to my end of the bed. I walked over in a second and grabbed my keys.
"How long will you be?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Depends." I said, not meeting his eye, still feeling angry about our previous argument. He blew out a long sigh, got off the bed and walked slowly over to me. As soon as he reached me, I backed away. But he gently took my hand and kissed it lightly. Feeling stunned for a second, he looked up and tried to kiss me on the lips. I gasped and backed further away from him.
No way I was falling for his trap again. Not after everything he's done.
"Don't even go there, Art." I said. "It's like you're a different person, like I don't even know you anymore."
"But we could try being more open with each other." He pleaded. "Please, Siobhan."
"By saying what exactly? By curling up together on the bed, kissing me on the lips and pretend that's everything's going to be ok? Like nothing has ever happened?"
"What —? No!"
"Ugh! Forget it. I don't have time to argue. I've already wasted enough time on you." I snapped.
And with that, I left straightaway.

"So I heard. What's the news?" I asked anxiously.
I arrived at Kelly's house fifteen minutes later. And surprisingly, as soon as I arrived at hers, two cups of fresh coffee was layered out neatly on one rather messy - but clean - coffee table in the open space living room. This was so unlike Kelly I thought to myself. Apart from everything else, like unfinished paper work from her café from the high street on Oxford street, Kelly was always organized and on track of things when she's helping me out on finding clues about Harry. Maybe that's the reason she's excited.
Kelly drew out a deep long sigh and said, "the police found out about the names of the people that took Harry, but don't know where their hiding place is since they're constantly moving about."
"Okay," I said slowly. "So when the hell was this?" Kelly drew out another long sigh.
"Just before I was about to leave for work this afternoon." She went on. "And that was also the time when I was trying to call you, but you didn't pick up."
I bit my lip. Guilt flooded through me.
Heart in my mouth, I waited for Kelly to carry on.
But what I was about to hear, was going to change my life completely...