I sleepwalked through my life for a couple of days. No-one seemed to notice or perhaps they just didn't know what to say. My husk went to work, ate, laughed at jokes, watched TV while my mind was filled with thoughts of Rob. I thought of conversations we had had and arguments we'd avoided. I thought of silly outings we'd been on and the way our relationship jelled into solidity while we were prancing about the city pretending to be tourists and enjoying ourselves. I hunted through the memories for signs of his leaving.

It was almost a disappointment to realise he had not been kidnapped, no frantic parents ringing me to see where he was. It would almost have been easier to bear something terrible happening to him, than this numb departure. The police listened to the circumstances of his disappearance, and kept straight faces, but only just. They asked me to repeat it and took notes. I imagine they keep a file of "Crackpots who have obviously read too much Perry Mason". It sounded pretty silly to me too. They said there was no evidence of foul play. They said people were free to come and go as they pleased, and frequently did. I didn't tell them about the key.

Everywhere I went now I saw keyholes. Sometimes I even tried the key. I felt like Prince Charming wandering Oxford with a brass slipper.

One morning my sister dropped in. We don't see a lot of each other although she lives nearby. She considered me for a little while, with her head on one side, and then invited me punting. It was easier to go than to argue about it; Heidi may be younger than me but she's a lot more forceful. Besides I thought it might be relaxing - the two of us on the calm, quiet river.

But she'd invited everyone she knew: four boatloads in all. The clouds loomed grey and threatening, so we had the river to ourselves. Heidi disappeared with the first party. It turned out she'd taken all the experienced pole-wielders with her, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. Even the ducklings skedaddling around the boathouse seemed to be laughing at us. I took the pole and rolled up my sleeves.

It was strangely cathartic heading up river. As I jabbed the pole and sent water shooting over Heidi's friends I suddenly realised how angry I was with Rob. It was like waking up and thinking clearly for the first time since I'd been in Unicorn. My anger gave us speed and we soon overtook all but Heidi's punt of elite athletes. We approached the high-banked dankness of the Mill pond. The rain began falling in great pendulous drops, so the river surface became pockmarked and buzzing.

Two people were standing on the bank. I could only see their backs, but they looked strangely familiar. They weren't looking at me. I peered through the rain and saw it was Dexter, with someone who closely resembled Eleanor! I saw Eleanor nudge Dexter excitedly, and then several things happened at once: I turned too quickly to follow their gaze towards the Mill bridge, where a figure was hurrying across, collar up and head down against the rain. Even at this distance I knew that it was Rob. Heidi's fairweather punters had stopped, and as I turned I had trailed the pole in the water, so our boat turned too. We struck them broadside, my feet slipped on the deck and the world went into slow motion. With a great splash I hit the water and as it closed, cool and pungent over my head, I saw a keyhole flashing before my eyes. I knew where it was! I knew the key would fit! And I had a good idea why I would need that coat..

Read Chapter 5

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