The Lost Children by Michael Wood

Author:Michael Wood [Wood, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008535568
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

‘You must have been petrified,’ Matilda said once Peter had finished telling his story about how he was dragged to the shed, tied up and had petrol poured over him.

‘I was.’

‘You were there all night?’

He nodded. ‘I don’t know how I managed to free myself, but it took me several hours. By the time I got back into Magnolia House, I was shaking with cold. I sat in that shower until I heard the boys moving around. Everything changed after that.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I was scared about what could happen to them. I think I became slightly overprotective.’

‘It’s understandable.’

Peter wiped away a tear. ‘When Duncan Shivers came and introduced himself, I thought … I thought it was the salvation they needed. I thought it would be their route out of there and to a better life. I had no idea …’ He cried.

‘Peter, can you remember what Duncan Shivers looked like?’

It was a while before Peter composed himself. He blew his nose hard. ‘He was tall, slim build. He had a young face, but when he smiled, there were wrinkles at the sides of his eyes, so I think he looked younger than he was. I’d say early thirties, maybe. He had light-brown hair and was always smartly dressed.’

‘Did he have a local accent?’

‘Yes.’

‘Any moles or scars, any distinguishing features?’

He thought for a moment. ‘None that I can — Oh, wait a minute, yes. He came to the home once in the summer. It was a boiling-hot day so he was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt. He had a scar down his left arm, like a burn. I asked him about it. He said it was a childhood accident.’

Matilda thought that was a useful piece of information. A scar like that should be easy to spot on a potential suspect. ‘Anything else?’

‘No.’

‘Did he say anything to you that you think might help us?’

‘No. We didn’t really speak about anything important. It was always about the boys and them going off to a new home, a better home.’ His voice broke and he lifted up the soggy hanky to his mouth again. ‘I can’t believe I handed them over to him. May God forgive me.’

Matilda leaned forward and took one of his fragile hands in hers. ‘I promise, I will not stop until I know who was involved and where those twelve boys are now. You have my word,’ she said, looking him directly in the eye.

He smiled, but his lips shook with emotion. ‘Thank you.’

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