The Betrayal of Trust Read Free Page A

She never arrived.
    Police are conducting house-to-house enquiries and are also combing undergrowth and woodland, a playing field close to ParksideDrive, together with nearby allotments and towpaths, and divers are searching the river.
    Drivers and regular dog walkers and joggers in the area are being handed leaflets and asked if they remember seeing Harriet, who is a pupil at Freshfield College for Girls.
    ‘Her disappearance is completely out of character,’ Sir John Lowther said.
    He stressed that there was no reason why Harriet, an onlychild, would not have wanted to meet her mother or return home. ‘We are a close-knit family and there have been no arguments or problems. Harriet is sensible and she would never fail to come back on time or to let us know if she was in any trouble.’
    Harriet, who is five feet four and very slim with blonde hair, was wearing shorts and a white T-shirt with a pale blue sweatshirt over it, and carryingher racket in a navy zipped bag.
    Lafferton Police are continuing searches. Detective Inspector June Whybrow, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We remain hopeful that Harriet will return home safely. We are following all lines of inquiry and are keeping an open mind at this stage.’
From the Bevham Gazette , 26 August 1995
SEARCH GOES ON FOR HARRIET
    Lafferton residents joined forces withmore than 100 police officers this week as the search for missing 15-year-old schoolgirl Harriet Lowther intensified.
    Police and firefighters from across the county were joined by volunteers as they scoured wasteland, woods and playing fields in a bid to find the daughter of prominent local businessman Sir John Lowther and his wife, Eve, of Up Starly near Lafferton. Harriet disappeared afterleaving the house of a friend, to catch a bus on Parkside Drive.
    Officers have also carried out extensive searches of the towpath and river areas and police helicopters have circled the region.
    Detective Inspector June Whybrow of Lafferton Police said: ‘We’re still hopeful that we may find Harriet but as each day passes the search becomes more difficult and frustrating.’
    Members of the publicwho think they may have seen Harriet in the vicinity of Parkside Drive, Lafferton, at the bus stop, on the 73 bus or who have any other in formation that might be of help are asked to call the dedicated line at Lafferton Police HQ or to contact any police station.
From the Bevham Gazette , 19 September 1995
    Lafferton Police today confirmed that a 37-year-old local man has been arrested in connectionwith the disappearance of 15-year-old schoolgirl Harriet Lowther, daughter of Sir John and Lady Lowther. Harriet has been missing since leaving the house of a friend on the afternoon of 18 August …
From the Bevham Gazette , 22 September 1995
    Police in Lafferton said that earlier today they released a 37-year-old local man, without charge. Neil Marshall was arrested on 19 September in connectionwith the disappearance of 15-year-old Harriet Lowther …
From the Bevham Gazette , 18 November 1995
    Police today confirmed that the body found in Lafferton Canal, close to the town centre on Monday morning, was not that of 15-year-old schoolgirl Harriet Lowther, who has now been missing since August …

Three
    IT WAS FOUR days before Jocelyn could get an appointment, partly because of the floods and their aftermath, partly because Dr Deerbon now only took two surgeries a week and as she was still very popular these booked up well in advance. But the receptionists and Cat had an understanding that patients she was concerned about, anyone with a serious condition or who just sounded more worriedthan seemed normal should be given one of what the practice manager called the ‘secret slots’.
    There had been no more rain, the water was going down quickly and the flood alert had been lifted, though the bypass was still closed and the town centre was filthy with the silt and rubbish left as the water receded. The shops which had