Elisabeth Carpenter - 99 Red Balloons

I squint at him. The suns in my eyes and he looks like a shadow monster.

I cant, I tell him. Ive got to get home. Im only meant to be getting sweets from the paper shop, then straight back.

He crouches in front of me. Hes wearing a woolly hat, which is funny as its really warm today.

But your mum asked me to fetch you. His eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles.

I fold my arms. When I tilt my head, his face blocks out the sun.

You might be lying, I say. Mummy warned me about men with sweets and puppies.

The man laughs, like Gramps does when hes Father Christmas.

I know, he says. Whats she like? Shes such a worrywart.

Hes right: she is. I drop my arms to my sides.

Anyway, he says, holding out both of his hands, Ive no sweets and Ive no puppies. My names George shes always talking about me, isnt she? Shes waiting at the bus station, says shes got a surprise for you, for being a good girl at school. He taps his nose. And we all know what youve been asking for.

Really? I try not to jump up and down. Theyve got me a horse?

He winks and puts his finger on his lips. I try to wink too, but it turns into a messy blink. He holds out his hand, and I take it.

Im allowed to sit on the front seat, but Im not allowed to tell Mummy. On the radio, a song plays that I know: Ninety-Nine Red Balloons. Im warm inside because Mummy sings it a lot. She sings it in German sometimes: Noin and noinsick or something. Its an old one, but I like it.

Are you feeling all right?

Hes looking at me as though Ive got spots all over my face.

I think so.

Mummys always worrying about me. When I had a bad cough in the middle of the night three weeks ago, she ran a hot bath and called the ambulance, but it was a false alarm.

He stops the car at a mini car park on the side of the road, just as the song is ending. Without his hat on, he looks older than he did before. He puts his hand on my forehead.

You do feel a bit hot.

As soon as he says it, I feel it. Im burning up.

He turns to the back seat and grabs a plastic carrier bag. I cant read the supermarkets name, but I recognise the red and green. He gets out a flask and pours a drink.

Here, he says. Your mum gave me this in case you got car sick.

After Ive drunk it, I give the plastic cup-lid back to him. Im really tired. There are things I have to say to him, like, Mummys never mentioned anyone called George, and, I never get car sick, but I cant because my mouth doesnt work any more. I try to smile at him. I wouldnt say those things to him anyway cos I dont want to hurt his feelings. Has he turned the radio off? Everythings quiet. I cant stop my eyelids from shutting.

Emmas running up and down the street. Angie, her next-door neighbour, is standing at her gate in her dressing gown.

Whats happening, Mum? asks Jamie, sitting beside me in the passenger seat. Whys Aunt Emma outside shouting? I thought we were coming for tea.

I dont know, love. Wait in the car.

I get out. Angie pulls her dressing gown tight around her middle, shivering, even though its not that cold yet.

She cant find Grace, she says.

What do you mean she cant find her? Wheres she left her?

Nowhere. She hasnt come home from school yet.

Its nearly half past four.

Shit.

I run after Emma, following her into the newsagents a few doors down. Shes showing Mr Anderson a picture of Grace on her phone, even though he already knows what she looks like. He shakes his head.

I told you ten minutes ago, he says gently. She came in, but she didnt buy anything. She came in with her friends, and then they went. I thought they all left together. Assumed she was with them.

Did you actually see her leave? Emma rushes to the door to the back room of the shop. Could she have sneaked through here? Maybe shes hiding from someone. Grace!

The door to the storeroom squeaks as it opens.

I doubt it, but youre welcome to look.

Angies calling the police, I say.

Emma glances at me, seeing me for the first time. She grabs hold of my arm. Its dim inside. I pat my hand along the wall for the light switch, flicking it on. Boxes of sweets, crisps, toilet rolls are stacked up in rows the back room smells sweet, like Nice biscuits.

Grace! Grace, its me, Mummy. Im not cross. Come out, love. No ones angry at you for hiding.

She moves every cardboard box away from the wall. Nothing. But then, Grace is not the type to play hide and seek, especially in a dark back room of a shop shes too sensible to do anything like that. Emma stands in the middle of the room, both hands on her head.

Its not been long, I say. Perhaps shes gone to a friends.

She wrinkles her nose its her way of stopping tears falling from her eyes.

Shes usually home ages ago. Ive phoned her friends none of them have seen her.

Did she arrange something at school and youve forgotten?

Ive driven to the school already its locked, there werent any lights on.

Who was the last to see her?

Um. She shakes her head, her eyes flick left and right. Angies daughter, Hannah.

I grab her by the hand. Thanks, Mr Anderson, I call to him before leading her out of the shop.

We run past Emmas neighbours theyre all standing on their doorsteps now.

Have you seen Grace? I shout, but they just shake their heads. Bloody useless people, staring at us.

Itll be getting dark soon, says Emma, bending over to catch her breath. Shes never home late, never. I need Mum here, can you ring her?

Of course. I get my phone from my pocket. I dial Mums landline cursing her that she still doesnt have a mobile. Theres no reply. I leave a message for her to get here, but dont tell her why not over the phone. Someone must have seen Grace she cant have just vanished off the street, not so close to home.

Its not only her Im trying to convince.

When we get to Emmas house, two police cars are parked either side of my car.

Shit Jamie.

How could I have left him when Grace has disappeared? He might be thirteen, but you never know what kind of maniac is out there. I run over and open the passenger door; the window is open.

Have you found Grace? he says, his eyes wide.

Not yet. Are you okay? Did anyone come to the car?

He shakes his head.

The police are guiding Emma through her front door.

Come on, Jamie.

I offer my hand to help him out of the car like I used to when he was little, and he takes it.

Two detectives arrived ten minutes after I did. DI Lee Hines is sitting with a notepad resting on his knees. Hes sweating in a long grey overcoat thats grubby around the cuffs; his tie is loose around his collar. DS Rachel Berry is standing near the living room door; shes wearing a trouser suit. She hasnt spoken yet, but shes looking at us as though weve done something wrong.

Emmas rocking forwards and backwards; her arms wrapped around herself. My hand is resting on hers, but I dont think she realises Im here. Where the hell is Mum? She doesnt usually go out on a Monday evening. Grace has been missing for nearly an hour. Ive tried to get through to her at least three times. I get out my phone and dial her number. Her machine answers, again. She must be on her way.

Is there any chance Grace could have gone to meet a friend that you dont know? asks Detective Hines. Does she talk to anyone online?

Hes perched on the edge of the armchair that Matt usually sits in. Instead, Matts standing up with his hands going crazy in his pockets, out of his pockets, through his hair. He looks out of the window, but the house lamps inside are too bright against the darkening sky outside. All I can see is the room reflected back at us.