The School Trip by Miranda Smith

 

A school trip - a field day for kids. They love being out and just run around in the space that they see. But, it is not fun for teachers (and parents alike). Teachers have to grown an extra pair of limbs and eyes and ears to catch the naughty ones who would be up to mischief or watch if someone was getting bullied or hurt. While it was a relief to get out and get some sun and delve into a touch and feel session, it is not easy to maintain discipline and safety in an outdoorsy set up. 

This is exactly what happens on this school trip.

Emma, recently widowed, is a school teacher. Claire, her 5 year old daughter studies in the same school where Emma teaches. Emma has good colleagues who are more friends than anything else. And it is a relief when you have someone on your side who understands your moves and intentions when you are surrounded by kids. 

As the day progresses, a child goes missing. Panic rises amongst the teachers and it is obvious that the adults are a little scared and hoping nothing happens to the little girl. With the cops in place and a frantic search later, the little girl is found inside a maze, where she supposedly got lost. By the time, the child was returned to the concerned parents and teachers could take a breather, Emma realizes that Claire is now missing. 

What a mess of a day! Where could Claire have gone? The premises were cordoned off at many places after the first child went missing so she obviously hadn't wandered off where she wasn't supposed to. Emma's teacher friends had no clue where Claire was and like any parent, panic and fear rose in Emma's throat.

Where was Claire? Did she just wander off in utter boredom? Did she get...kidnapped? No! Who would kidnap her? And why?! 

Every time the plot closed down on a supposed kidnapper, the story line turned another way leaving me frustrated and wanting to get to the bottom of it! This book has short chapters and is a good one time read. Miranda Smith kept the suspense alive till the very end.