TWENTY-FIVE
EARTH
Hugh’s phone started ringing as he sat at his laptop. He swiped the screen, swinging his legs onto the corner of his desk. “Hi, Mum. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” his mother replied in her soft Scottish brogue. “How are you bearing up? Any news? Are the boys okay?”
“No news, Mum. I’m okay. The boys miss Gemma. They’ve been sleeping in our bed every night since she disappeared. I dropped them at school and nursery earlier. The school is half empty, Mum. Many of the children who attend are also missing.”
“Poor little mites. Be strong for them, son. They need your resolve to get through this ordeal.”
“I’m trying, Mum. But it’s hard. She’s been gone for nearly three weeks now. No-one is contacting me. It’s like she’s just been forgotten about.”
“I’m sure the authorities ar
