Hi. I just found you on DoplGangr. Isn’t it amazing? We look so alike AND we have almost the same name! Get in touch if you want‼
How old are you?
Did you find anyone younger than you?
I think you are the one.
The end of the old and the start of the new.
Is she one of us?
Then, sorry, no.
Dearest Maxie, I’ve put this email on a 24-hour delayed send, so if you’re reading it, that means I didn’t get home in time to stop it sending, which probably means something bad has happened. I started to worry about Charley. At first I thought, good riddance, go off with your new ‘sisters’, leave your friends behind, fulfil your destiny, whatever. But then I went to see Nan again to ask her if she’d heard anything. She said she hadn’t but she didn’t seem all that upset, she hadn’t called the police and I can’t believe that she’d be so cool about it if she really believed Charley went off with some internet predator. Charley’s not stupid and Nan knows it. And we know it too. You and me. We should have done something. So I did. I have Charley’s password – it’s 1em0nb@r1ey in case you need to take over from me. I checked her inbox. There was the chain of emails to and from Carla that led up to their meeting in Starbucks, then one from Carla saying she’d be in touch, a reply from Charley saying that would be nice, and that was it. Charley didn’t go off with Carla, or there would be an email trail. All her emails stop the same day she stopped answering texts. I think something bad has happened to her. I think she was right about the Charlotte Strain. I don’t think she went with them, I think they took her. I think they want to use her to have their cloned babies. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but whatever the truth is, it’s something crazy and it’s something not good. I think Nan must be part of it. She’s covering for them, the Charlotte Strain, even if she’s not actually one of them. What’s even worse is that Perdita has disappeared, which means she must be involved too. Nan
said Perdita got a call from Jamaica saying her dad was dying and he was asking for her, but I don’t believe that. We’ve let her down, Max. We’re her friends, maybe the only friends she has in the world right now. She has plenty of relatives, but that’s the problem. I’m going to go round to Charley’s, we’ve always had each other’s keys in case we lost our own at school. If Nan is out or in the studio I’ll let myself in and see if I can find any clues in Charley’s room. Maybe the photos will still be hidden behind the panel and maybe there’ll be something in there that Charley missed, something that might help me find her. I don’t know what else to do. There’s no one I can talk to except you, and I don’t want to put you in any danger. If Charley’s anywhere near right, there’s a very old cult of very dangerous people who’ll do anything to keep their secret – whatever the secret really is – safe from the outside world. So, Maxie, if anything bad does happen to me, the best thing you can do is pretend none of this happened, don’t tell anyone what you know, or think you know, try to act normal so they don’t suspect you. But I hope you won’t forget me completely. I love you, Maxie, and I’ll love you till my dying day. Your Lucybelle
From: savelemon38 To: maxiemillion Hi, Millie It’s me, Belle again. I’m okay but I’m in hiding. Our friend Lemon Barley is in trouble. They’ve moved her from the house. This is really something big for them. We need to be careful how we communicate, they’re monitoring all the usual channels. I daren’t use any keywords they might pick up. They think I’m dead. One of them was supposed to kill me but he just made me scream a lot and let me go. I think we might be able to trust him – I don’t think he wants this to happen. His name rhymes with a rude word beginning with F. He looks like an older version of Lemon but with short hair and in man’s clothes. We can’t trust Lemon’s so-called grandmother though. She’s one of them. I don’t want to put you in any more danger but we have to help Lemon. I think we may have to involve Lemon’s step-nan – Joanna f-ing you-knowwho. It should be okay for you to contact her, I don’t think they’re monitoring either of you. I don’t know what you can tell her, but she specialises in runaway kids and she must have a network of people who can help find our friend. You can probably guess where I am. I’m such a home bird and my parents would go mental if they didn’t see me for twenty-four hours. I’ve told them I’m having a horrible time at school, with all the insults, and I just
need a few days away from it. I’ve convinced them not to contact the teachers because that would just make it worse. I’d love to see you, Millie, I’m going crazy here without you and Lemon. But I don’t think it’s safe for you to come here. Please let me know what happens? All my Love Belle PS, I’m very embarrassed about the last note I sent to you. I meant to stop it sending but with everything that was going on, I forgot. But it’s good, because if anyone is monitoring us they will think they succeeded in killing me. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what I said, it doesn’t matter about me, it just matters about helping our mutual friend.
From: avengerpurdey To: savelemon38 Hi Belle Millie copied me on your note. I know what’s happening with Lemon and I’m working on it. I think I know where you are and I think we need to get you out of there. I help to run a shelter for girls and young women that’s absolutely secure. Tell your parents you’re going to a retreat for girls that helps them with their body image. Two women will pick you up. As long as they don’t look like Lemon or any of her siblings, go with them. They’ll make you put on a blindfold, for security reasons. Millie is already there. He has to dress as a girl, you can imagine how he feels about that. I’ll be there too. Don’t tell anyone anything, even the women who pick you up. And don’t talk to Lemon’s grandmother. There is a plan, though it won’t involve you or Millie in any more danger. Good luck, Belle Avengerpurdey
They’ve taken Charley we’re following them.
We got her but they’re following us
Agreed location compromised bring her to Nan’s Nan’s? Yes but lose tail first
Drop back let them go come to Nan’s What? They’re coming to Nan’s I’m here
We’re outside is it safe? All clear bring her in
We are outside.
Dear Daddy, I miss you so much. Mum has been awful to me since you left. She threw me down the stairs and I broke my leg. I really want to see you. I’m staying with some friends (address at the end of the email). If you come there Sunday at 2 pm I’ll be alone. Don’t take any notice if I say I don’t want you. I do want you. Come and take what’s yours Love, Your little Charlize
Can I come see you tomorrow? Come today if you like No have to go hospital get cast off leg How you getting there? Taxi coming later
Hi Charley we could give you ride to hospital Promise you won’t kidnap me
r Promise
h