Somebody to Love: Sigh With Contentment, Scream With Frustration. At Time You Will Weep. Read Online Free PDF Page A

God.
    ‘That’s better. Now, shall we take a step back, do you think?’
    Donna blinked at him — and stepped back.
    Mark scrunched his eyes closed, then peered at her through one eye. ‘No, Donna. I didn’t mean…’ He trailed off. If he wasn’t careful he was going leave her with less confidence than she’d had when he’d arrived. Sexual predator? She was about as capable of molesting him as her three-legged dog was.
    He took her hand, glanced down at it, trailed a thumb over it. ‘Donna, don’t get me wrong here, but are you sure you didn’t mean this isn’t right?
    Donna chewed on her lip. ‘Sorry,’ she mumbled apologetically, again.
    ‘No apologies required,’ he reminded her. ‘Come on,’ he folded her into his arms. ‘You know that saying worth waiting for ?’
    ‘Uh, huh.’
    ‘Well, I am.’
    She looked up at him, a smile on her face and the light back in her eyes. ‘You’re lovely,’ she said.
    ‘I know. And modest.’ Mark laughed, then, ignoring his phone beeping in his pocket, he brushed her beautiful lips with his — and couldn’t help feeling he might have found a little bit of heaven.

Chapter Three
    Dammit, he should have known it was going to be one of those days with Karl when he’d practically had to wrestle him away from the cooker this morning, Karl’s latest obsession being fire, which meant he was going through a pyromania phase when most kids would be getting into football.
    Agitated, Mark flicked his siren again, frightening shoppers out of harm’s way, and then humped the patrol car up on the kerb. ‘Sorry about this, Phil.’ He raked his hand through his hair and turned to his partner, who had offered to help Mark search the area for his now missing son. ‘I had no idea Jody would…’
    ‘Stop apologising and get going.’ Phil shoved the passenger door wide, ready to climb out. ‘He can’t be far away. We’ll find him.’
    ‘Thanks, Phil. I owe you.’ Mark nodded his appreciation and climbed out of the driver’s side, panic knotting his stomach.
    ‘You do the top end. I’ll take the bottom. We’ll cross over and come back down the opposite side.’ Phil gestured Mark on, then headed for the lower end of the High Street.
    Mark didn’t need telling. He ran, fast, his heartbeat escalating to a steady thud as he went from shop to shop.
    ‘We’re looking for a small boy,’ he shouted across to the owner of one of several gift-shops, all with the same glitter of memorabilia that would attract Karl like a moth. ‘Aged six. About so high.’ Mark indicated with his hand. ‘Dark-haired. Wearing jeans, red tee-shirt, and a white hoodie.’
    Also recognisable by the hand-flapping and spinning he’ll be doing if he’s stressed, Mark didn’t get the chance to add before the owner shook his head.
    This was hopeless. Mark pushed his cap back, frustrated, as he came out empty-handed. With the annual jazz festival on, Upton was chock-a-block with sightseers. What if Karl had headed for the river? Dread sliced through Mark’s chest. Water might not be Karl’s current fascination, but it had been a while back, running taps and flushing loos wherever he went. Might he have been attracted by the spectacle of boats bobbing at the water’s edge? Crammed in at the water’s edge, more like, at this time of year. Mark tried to quell a sudden queasiness. Narrow-boats mostly, shoulder-to-shoulder. Tons of heavy, bone-crushing metal.
    Christ, he needed to call it in, radio for help. Mark swallowed hard, total panic gripping him now, as he turned in the direction of the river, then fleeting relief as he caught sight of Karl’s carer.
    ‘Mark!’ Jody waved frantically, pushing towards him through a throng of onlookers.
    Mark caught her by the shoulders as she reached him. ‘Anything?’ he asked, scanning her face, hoping against hope that Karl might be with her, behind her. Anywhere, for pity’s sake.
    She shook her head. ‘No. I… I’m sorry, Mark. I