The Night She Disappeared

By Jane Goodhew

It seems unlikely that she would have just up and left without a word of goodbye? Lucy was a polite, sensible young woman who hated to see people upset, so this was out of character. I just had this feeling that something untoward had happened to her. She had been incredibly quiet of late as if she had to think things through and wanted to do it for herself. Whatever the something was we have yet to find out, but we will and bring her home, to Lace Wood Hall.

The family gathered in the drawing room and each one in turn recounted the last time they had seen her, what she wore, what she said, no matter how small or insignificant it seemed. I took it upon myself to make notes and put them into some sort of chronological order. Anything to make myself feel less useless than I did.

Outside the sun shone in a bright blue cloudless sky and the birds sang to one another, it seemed the perfect day but inside was a different scenario, it was doom and gloom. Each one had the expression of someone who had lost a diamond and found broken glass. After about an hour we recapped and it would appear she had been wearing her dark blue dress with the dainty golden heart pattern, a hat, ballet style shoes and had her handbag with her. Her blonde, shoulder length hair was loose, and she had a strange smile on her face as if she had a secret that made her happy but would keep to herself.

 

That was 3 years ago and so far, nothing, not a word from her and no-one seemed to have seen her, it was as if she had disappeared without a trace. The police had been informed and photos put up in the places she used to go. Friends had rallied round and been out looking but drawn a blank. No money had been withdrawn from her account since the day she walked out the door, her mobile charger was still next to her bed so her phone would eventually run out. Whatever had happened was not planned and everyone was fearing the worse. I thought of all the other families who had been in this position and wondered how they coped without driving themselves mad with the what-if's. Going over and over the last thing that was said to her, what type of frame of mind she was in.

Her computer had nothing out of the ordinary on it, she had not used dating sites or written to strangers, in fact for a young woman she was remarkably 'some would say' boring. To us she was a loving, thoughtful young woman with a tremendous sense of humour and a generous heart who was always there for everyone and anyone.

The papers had stopped mentioning her as there was no evidence of her being missing in suspicious circumstances, no ransom note or call. I often wondered what it would take to make it a suspicious disappearance, as far as I could see, there was nothing normal about it.

Alas, there is nothing more I can say on the night Lucy disappeared or why she chose to leave the house never to return. If anyone out there sees her or hears from her, please contact us. If you see this Lucy remember you are loved by all of us and when you are ready either come home or at least contact one of us. We are just so lost without you and not knowing if you are dead or hopefully alive is unbearable?

According to statistics on the internet a person goes missing every 90 seconds, 170,000 per year, of which 70,000 are children. The most common reasons are:

Diagnosed/undiagnosed mental health issues 8 – 10.

Dementia 4-10

Financial problems 1-10

Escaping violence         Homelessness       Relationship breakdown

Problems at home       Risk of suicide.  

From what we all think we know of you Lucy, none of these are relevant and in your own time you will come home. We will never give up on hope for that is all we have now and we all hope you are happy wherever you are.

 

                       

Copyright Jane Goodhew