CHILDHUNT: A Mystery & Suspense Thriller in the Bestselling Diana Rivers Series (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free Page B

the living room, William had partly covered the floor in wood, and the fabric on the furniture was colourful and vibrant. They didn’t have an abundance of money, but they were comfortably off, and Debbie didn’t have to go out to work.
    She would make the effort and accept Diana and Steve’s invitation. After sorting out the children and doing a few jobs around the house, she would telephone and accept. If it hadn’t been so cold, she could have walked the children up to the village; maybe she should. With scarves, coats, and gloves, they would be fine. Her thoughts turned to their neighbours. Steve was always courteous whenever they bumped into each other, and Diana was very friendly. They were both older than William and herself, but she realised she did need some friends. Who knew…it might be fun spending time over a coffee having a girly chat. It had been years since she last did that. The only other person Debbie spoke to in the area was Roger, and that was sporadic.
    “What are you thinking, Mummy?” asked Charlie as he laid down his painting brush. “You look worried or sad.”
    Debbie placed her empty teacup on the sink drainer and shook her head. “I’m not sad, little chicken. I was thinking it’s about time we started lessons for today.”
    Charlie pulled a face and Hannah giggled. “Charlie doethn’t like maffs.” She laughed as she squirmed round in her seat to look at her mother.
    “Wait until you have to do them! You’ll be useless,” he answered.
    “Shan’t,” she shouted, poking out her tongue.
    “Children! That’s not nice, Hannah. Say sorry to your brother, and Charlie, stop trying to wind her up.”
    Both children muttered ‘sorry’ but looked miserable. Debbie sighed. “Tell you what. Why don’t you put your paints and things away now? It’s almost time for your break outside, and it’s not actually raining or sleeting at the moment. Afterwards, if you’re good, we’ll start on that new reading book.”
    “Yeah!” they chorused and hurried to do as they were told.
    “Are you sure Farver Cwithmuth will find us here?” Hannah looked sick with worry as she placed her Lego back into the toy box.
    Debbie took pity on her tiny daughter, scooped her up in her arms and hugged her fiercely. She smelt of cereal, plastic Lego and Charlie’s paint, which had somehow ended up covering her elbows. Hannah’s long dark curls were a mass around her face, and Debbie knew it wouldn’t take long before more people asked her where she got them from. It took a lot of work to keep her own dyed blonde hair looking natural, but Debbie was terrified that if she grew it out, she would be recognised. She gave Hannah a big kiss before putting her down.
    “Okay, kids, have you finished? Then let’s get your coats on. You can have a play while I vacuum the house, and I’ll be ready with the book.”
    “Can we have a gingerbread man with our milk, please?” Charlie asked in a wheedling voice. Debbie ruffled his hair, and her heart felt it would burst with love as she studied her two small children. The three of them had made the gingerbread men earlier in the week. Charlie had used the sharp cutter—Hannah was too small, he said—and his little sister had decorated each biscuit with pink icing for a coat and silver balls for buttons. When they were dry, Debbie made holes and threaded cotton into loops so that they could hang them on the Christmas tree. Hannah was enchanted with the little men and clapped her hands in excitement. As a treat, Debbie allowed the children a biscuit with their morning milk.
    “Of course. Would you like it now or when you come back indoors?” she asked.
    “Now!”
    “Please.”
    “Sorry, Mummy, please!” They laughed. Debbie let them choose one each from the tree while she poured milk into beakers. When they were ready, she dressed them in coats, scarves and hats. She noticed Hannah hadn’t finished her gingerbread man and was putting it into her pocket