Great Expectations. - Now Complete

Chapter 18

Day 6

Alice remained silent, her face pinched white with fear and sadness. She took the drinks that George offered her but they were left to go cold, untouched. The Detective had rung several times but had yet been unable to make much inroad into the whereabouts of Thomas Donavon.

"George?" said Alice softly, breaking her two day silence.

"Yes my love." He was pleased that at least she was now speaking to him.

"What will happen if Tom has hurt Alexander. What if he's dead?"

George stared at her, horrified. "You can't think like that Alice. You've got to keep hoping he's safe."

"But what if something bad has happened. Will it change us?"

George looked surprised at the question. "I fell in love with you Alice. Then I fell in love with that wonderful little boy who changed our lives. I wouldn't stop loving you no matter what happens. But that's all hypothetical Alice, Alexander will come back safe and sound. I know he will!"

For the first time in over a week, she moved to George and hugged him. "I love you so much George Harrison." she kissed him. "I want Alexander back so much...my arms ache to hold him. I feel like someone has cut something away from me. I want him back safe!"

"And we will Alice. You've got to keep hold of that thought!" He hugged her back. "Your mum!"

"What?" Alice looked confused.

"Didn't you say that you met Tom through your brother because you lived in the same street?"

Alice nodded.

"Then does his mum still live there too?"

"I expect so. Why?"

"Alice, don't you see. She could have some idea where her son is!"

Alice looked at George as if he was something amazing. She headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" He called.

"To his mother's house!" Alice seemed to have come alive again. "I'm going to get my baby back!"

George drove them both to the street. Alice lept out of the car and began hammering on a door and shouting. The door remained steadfastly closed. Alice stopped banging and slid to the floor, crying in frustration.

"Why did I think Alexander would be here. Just sat in his pram. I'm a fool!"  she yelled at no one in general.

The door to the house next door opened. "What's all the racket for Gods sake!" called a grumpy voice.

George moved forward. "We have some important news for Tom Donavon," he told the woman, "He's won the pools but he's not here. Any idea where we could find him?"

"A pool win. Well, lucky sod!" said the woman, "Tom took his mum on a holiday for a couple of weeks. Very unexpected like. Normally a right selfish get that one."

"Do you know where they've gone?" asked George, "It would be a lovely way to give him his winnings whilst on holiday!"

"Some place in Wales where they always go!" said the woman, "A house owned by some cousin. A really remote place. Bryn y something it's called."

"Well thank you very much madam. I'm sure the company will be able to find exact location. You have been most helpful!" George turned and signalling to Alice, they got back into the car. He drove around the corner. "Did that mean anything?"

"Did she say Wales?"

George nodded.

"I know the place but I don't know where it is. Tom took me there a while back. It's where he first...well. How are we going to find out exactly where it is?"