Hearing the welcome glug of red wine hitting the glasses, I smiled at my husband. Here's to the weekend, I sighed to Darren, then 44, sinking into the sofa.
Just as I was taking my first sip, our youngest daughter Lyla, then 16, poked her head around the living-room door.
I'm going out,' she grinned.
It was March 2022 and while I was looking forward to a night in, Lyla couldn't wait to go out with college friends.
I wanted her to enjoy herself, but as a mother to three girls, I worried constantly about their safety.
Even with my older two, Sarah*, then 24, and Laura*, 22, I was always reminding them to check in.
At midnight, I went to bed, expecting Lyla home any minute.
But several hours later, I bolted upright to the sound of her screaming. Yet the house was silent. Was it just a bad dream? EI checked the clock - 5am.
I went to look in Lyla's room, but it was still empty.
There were no messages on my phone, no movement on the front-door camera.
I called Lyla's mobile, but after a few rings, it went to voicemail.
'What's the matter?' Darren croaked, waking up.
'I thought I heard Lyla screaming, but she's not home,' I replied, struggling to contain my panic.
Picking up his phone, Darren tried her number again. And again. And again. Eventually, a man answered.
'Who are you?' Darren quizzed.
The man said he was a taxi driver. Lyla had left her phone in his car when he'd dropped her at an address in Hindley, 15 minutes earlier.
More than 20 minutes from our house.
'We don't know anyone who lives there,' I thought, my chest constricting with fear.
The man's next words made my blood run cold.
'She wasn't in a good way,' the driver said. "She couldn't walk. A man had to carry her in and out of the car.
Darren's eyes locked with mine as terrified as I felt.
Denne historien er fra September 25, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra September 25, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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?
