Beth laughed. ‘Oh yeah? You think you’ll be borrowing my dresses, do you?’
‘Yes!’ Daisy shouted.
Cooper’s ears pricked up at the sound of Charlie’s key in the door and he scurried out of the room. Daisy ran after him. They both scrambled down the stairs.
‘I’m up here getting ready!’ Beth shouted. ‘Fancy popping those nuggets and chips in the oven for the kids?’
‘No problem!’
Beth stood up, dropping her towel in a heap on the floor.
She crossed to the bed, picking up both the dresses, holding each in front of her as she glanced at herself.
Climbing into what passed for her best underwear, she pulled on the red dress, pushing one foot into a red stiletto. She turned to each side, assessing herself. With one hand, she piled her hair up, sucking in her tummy. Shaking her head, she slid the dress off, draping it over the back of a chair before performing the whole act again with the black one. She sat down at the dressing table and pulled her hair up into a French twist, fixing it in place neatly.
As she was applying her make-up, her phone sprang to life, dancing about noisily on the bedside table. She crossed the room to retrieve it, assuming it would be Margot running late.
Beth frowned as she glanced at the digits on the screen.
She unlocked her phone, opening up the message.
I liked the red one better.
Beth spun around to face the large dual-aspect windows in the corner of the room. Running towards them, she stood, staring out across the driveway, into the fields and the trees beyond. Her eyes frantically scanned the landscape for any movement.
There was nobody there. At least, nobody she could see.
The phone chimed again.
Holding her breath, Beth’s eyes shot down towards the screen.
Can you see me?
Her heart pounded.
A bead of sweat formed on her hairline, slowly trickling down her neck. A prickling sensation made its way from the top of her head and through her entire body, down towards her fingers and toes. For a moment she thought she might pass out.
She pulled the curtains shut, turning her back to the window. Feeling faint, she placed one hand against the sill to steady herself, staring at the phone.
A new message flashed up.
Spoilsport. Don’t be shy. You never used to be.
With trembling fingers, Beth typed out a reply. Who is this?
She bit down on her bottom lip, nervously waiting.
Three dots appeared on her screen. Her stalker was replying. The device vibrated in Beth’s shaky hands.
A friend.
She was about to respond when she heard heavy footsteps ascending the stairs.
Charlie.
She quickly flicked her phone to silent, tucking it under her make-up bag as Charlie entered the room. He whistled as he walked towards her, a huge bunch of white roses in his hand.
‘You look stunning,’ he said, offering them to Beth.
She smiled, hoping it didn’t appear forced. ‘They’re beautiful. You shouldn’t have!’
Her voice trembled.
‘I wanted to.’
From beneath the make-up bag, the phone buzzed. The sound seemed to fill the room. Charlie’s eyes drifted to the dressing table.
‘Thanks. They really are lovely,’ Beth said, trying to distract him.
The phone buzzed again. And then a third time. Beth ignored it. Her eyes not leaving Charlie’s face.
‘You not gonna get that?’ he asked, sounding confused.
‘It’s probably work emails coming in. I’m ignoring them until Monday.’ It was weak, but she prayed he bought it. ‘Would you be a love and pop these in a vase for me downstairs while I finish doing my make-up?’
Charlie leaned down to give her a peck on the cheek.
‘I know you said this morning you weren’t in the mood. But I couldn’t cancel. It would be odd if you were missing, this has been arranged for so long.’
‘It’s fine. I’m sure it’ll be fun.’
‘Thanks.’
Charlie turned to leave. He stopped as he reached the bed, looking at the drawn curtains, and glanced over his shoulder towards his wife. Without saying a word, he left the room. Beth heard him head back downstairs.
She grabbed her phone.
Three new messages were on her screen. She opened them with trepidation.
I enjoyed the show.
Loved it when you dropped the towel.
Come on. Open the curtains!
Bile rose into her mouth as she read the words.
Whoever was messing with her and her family was sitting outside the house right now.
Watching.
They had seen her naked through her bedroom window. They had watched her in her private, intimate moments.
What else had they witnessed?
13
Beth felt sick. Her head was spinning, partly from the champagne, mostly from fear.
Was somebody watching Charlie and Daisy downstairs now? Or Peter in his bedroom next door?
She applied the rest of her make-up in a rush, grabbed a jacket from the wardrobe and made her way down the stairs.
Daisy was sitting at the dining table, chatting to Charlie while he took her dinner out of the oven, and plated it up. He smiled at Beth across the room as she hurried into the kitchen.
Ignoring him, she headed straight to the French doors, turned the key in the lock and closed the curtains. Her family stared at her in bewilderment.
She covered every window. For only the second time in the seven years they had owned the house.
Beth came back into the kitchen, pouring herself a second glass, before taking a large gulp.
‘Are you okay?’ Charlie said, placing the plate of food down in front of their daughter. He crossed the room, standing next to Beth. ‘You look a little pale.’
‘Yes, I’m fine,’ Beth lied.
‘What’s with the curtains again? It’s still broad daylight.’
‘Margot’s coming over to babysit, I don’t want her to feel like she’s on display.’
‘Are you kidding? Margot loves to be on display!’
Charlie reached a hand up to Beth’s forehead, and she flinched.
‘You’re shaking. What’s wrong?’
‘I’m cold. Maybe I should change. It’s not as warm as I thought.’
‘Up to you. You look amazing though.’
Daisy was still staring at Beth, while shovelling a chicken nugget into her mouth.
‘I thought you were going to wear the red
