Hayley found out the addresses and they went to Patrick’s house first. It was a big, detached house with a double garage. It was locked up tight and there was a ‘For Sale’ sign outside. Celia and Abigail tried to look in the windows and then realised they could walk in anyway. The place looked a total mess. Patrick had obviously left in a hurry. Hayley caught the neighbour’s eye as she was leaving her house.
“Excuse me. Have you seen Patrick Bates? I was hoping to have a word with him.”
“You and a lot more besides. He packed one suitcase and left the day after his big win last week. I suppose you can buy new when you’ve got eleven million in the bank. And no, he didn’t give us anything, not even a goodbye. We’d lived next door to him for twelve years and not so much as a thank you for al
