Swishing around the living room in a floor-length, pale-blue dress, my daughter, Kayleigh, 15, beamed. ‘You look so grown-up,’ I choked as her dad, Martin, then 54, took photos.
It was July 2015 and Kayleigh was going to her school prom. While my eldest, Kyle, then 18, was out, the rest of our family had gathered to see her off.
Kallen, then 12, Kodi, eight, Kye, six, Kayden, four and Karli-Mai, two, all looked at their big sister in awe. Kayleigh adored her younger siblings, always teaching them to cartwheel, or plaiting Karli-Mai’s hair. And as she got older, she was great company for me when the younger kids were in bed. We’d play cards on the sofa while watching EastEnders.
As a curvy teen, she’d suffered some bullying about her weight, knocking her confidence, but after switching schools a few months earlier, she seemed much happier. Now, if she wasn’t transfixed by her mobile or tablet, she was out swimming or at a friend’s house.
And she loved her school prom, coming home all flushed and excited.
Then one evening in November 2015, Martin was due to drop her at the local leisure centre to meet a friend for a sleepover. ‘See you tomorrow,’ Kayleigh grinned as I kissed her on the cheek. The next day, like any other girl she texted, asking if she could stay over again that night.
‘Must be enjoying herself,’ I thought, plus she’d always been sensible, so I replied saying yes. Only, the next morning, the friend she was supposed to be with phoned our landline.
‘Is Kayleigh there?’ she asked.
My stomach started churning. ‘I thought she was with you,’ I stuttered, dread swamping me as she explained she hadn’t seen Kayleigh all weekend. And it got much worse – a stranger had phoned her after finding Kayleigh’s smashed phone on a pavement.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 03, 2020-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 03, 2020-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?