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There were mumbled voices, and Alice smiled back at the camera “It’s called the Alice Show Isn’t that perfect?” She clapped her hands in delight “Although I shall have to talk toa better set This one is rather basic And don’t even get ain “We need a new food truck” She looked back into the lens “Jorge said if I do a good job I’ll get ice crea a little demented

Patricia threw her hands up and glared at the iPad “Can I talk to her through this thing? I need to tell her that nobody’s buying her act A two-year-old could do a better job Hell, Liz Hurley could do a better job, and her acting is no better than a puppet show Wooden Totally wooden” She poked Julia’s shoulder “Where’s the mic button?”

“You can’t talk to her It’s a one-way feed”

“This is e,” Patricia said as she watched Alice wax lyrical about her favourite ice cream “People with dementia don’t behave like that She should be nominated for a Razzie Award”

“Patricia!” Joe barked “Quiet!”

“The nice producer says I have to tell you about erated confusion “Do you mean my mummy? I think she’s dead”

Patricia groaned loudly, and Joe shot her another glare “I will gag you”

Shemotion over her lips

“Jorge says he wants his mummy back” Alice made a sad face that re; he e? I couldn’t hear you because I’ to Patricia”

There was silence while Alice focused on her kidnapper

She nodded “Jorge says you have to bring his htly panicked, but soing to be a star! Do you hearto be a star!” She waved her hands above her head, and the feed cut out

The screen went blank and there was silence Until the cell phone rang

Patricia shot to her feet, her eyes went straight to Joe “What do I say?”

“Tell them the truth Tell theet it”

“I don’t even knohere it is! It was gone by the tis of hysteria