Thankfully, last night went really quickly, especially after we finished eating. Well, I mostly played around with my food, but I did eat a little.  I took a quick shower and crawled into bed. I couldn’t sleep without Mark, so I got up and looked around for something of his.  I found his favourite hoodie and hugged it in my arms. You don’t see him wearing it much, only when he is having some down time. He looks so relaxed and cute in it. I miss him like mad. I’m so worried. Who would do this? Why?

After hearing a tapping on the door, I sit up in the bed. “Yes.”

“Hey, Megan,” Connor says, standing in the doorway. “I came to check on you.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m going to get up, check on Lucy, and then get ready for the day. What time can we see Mark?” I ask. 

“Not until one, unless he is released earlier.” He pauses. “I’m sorry.”  He must have been in touch with Mark.  There was no mention of him being released when I left him last night.  Once I’m dressed, I will ring the hospital and check on him.  I don’t know what they will tell me, so I may have to ask Mia to do it. I need to know that he is all right.  One o’clock is too long to wait. 

“It’s not your fault. Do you have any leads?” I enquire.  I want to know what is happening.  I know the police were talking to Scott and Connor last night.

“None at all,” he responds, sitting on the side of the bed.  I’m glad I put on pyjamas last night.  “The cameras at Annabella’s did pick up the incident with Mark, but no faces are visible.”

“Faces?” I question.

“Yes, two people,” he informs me.  “It looked like a man hit Mark, though.”

“Oh no,” I say, taking a deep breath to calm myself.

“Do you want me to sort Lucy for you? It will give you a little more time to get up,” Connor states.  “I know Mark normally gets her ready for the day to let you have some alone time.”

“I don’t want you to feel used, Connor,” I tell him. I can do everything by myself.  Mark helps me out of love.  Connor would be doing it for the fact he is getting paid to do it.

“I’ll do it. I actually want to get her up. I love having a baby around the house. It makes me think of my Kate when she was that small.” He smiles.  I love seeing the spark in his eye when he talks about his daughter.  I can’t wait to spend a longer amount of time with her and get to know her more.  I wonder if she is going to be a mini Connor or be more like her mum.  I have only seen a couple of pictures of her mum, and right now it’s still hard to tell who she looks like more. 

“Okay, go on then,” I say, sliding out of the bed and opening the curtains.

There is no sun in sight. All I can see is the rain bouncing from the path. It’s not going to be a nice, clear day. The sky is so dull. Without even moving, I can tell it’s going to be one of those days where I will probably be cold, no matter what I wear. Opening the drawer, I pull out black matching underwear and a black jumper with a few sparkling gems scattered around the front. I reach for some dark blue jeans and immediately smile. These will do. Mark loves those jeans, or should I say, he loves my arse in these jeans.

“Megan,” Connor says, walking into the room. “Sorry, I didn’t knock. Do you know where Lucy is?”

“In her cot next door,” I reply, walking out of the room and feeling my heart begin to race.

“She isn’t.”

“What? Has anyone got Lucy?” I shout, running around in sheer panic.

Connor follows me, reaching for the other security guards. “Search the full building,” he says in a steady voice.

“Who has my baby?” I yell.

“Calm down, Megan. The guys are going to look for her. She’s probably with one of the girls,” he says, placing his hand on my back.

I pull away sharply. “Don’t touch me.” Sprinting towards Mia’s room, I barge through the door. “Have you seen Lucy?”

“No, not since last night when you placed her to bed. Why?” she asks, standing there in a flower-patterned dress and no makeup.  She could go without makeup; she looks better without it on.

“She is missing,” I say with tears rolling down my face. I turn around and run into Annabella’s room.

“Have you seen Lucy?”

“No, I haven’t since I went to bed last night. What’s going on?” she asks.

“She's gone,” I cry, running out of the room and looking down at the floor. I’m unable to see anything through the tears pouring from my eyes. I suddenly feel my head crash into something soft followed by two strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me in close. I can’t do anything but freeze.

“Megan, we will find her. Everyone is looking for her. Would you like a drink?” Connor suggests.

I stand there, crying harder. “No.” Why the hell would I want a drink?  I need my daughter, not a drink.

“You need to keep strong, Megan,” Connor says.

“I’m getting dressed. I will find my daughter.” I run around him into my room, taking my clothes off as I walk inside. I don’t care what I look like now. I fling on the clothes I had laid out, grab my mobile, and walk onto the landing.

"What is going on?" Mark asks, storming into the front room of his house.

“Mark?” I ask, shocked that he’s home.

“Sir, what are you doing here?" one of the security guards enquires as he walks quickly towards Mark.  I don’t even know the guard’s name.

"Something isn't right. Megan isn't answering her mobile and neither is Connor. Now, tell me what’s going on," Mark demands, placing his hands on his hips.

"Lucy is missing," Connor replies hastily.

"What?" Mark shouts.

"She was in her cot at three when Megan checked on her, and now she is gone. We can’t find her anywhere," he explains.

I stand there at the top of the stairs, shaking as I try to fasten the buttons on my jacket. I need to search for her. I have to find my baby. I don't want anyone except Lucy right now.