‘Nope. He doesn’t. In fact, I’d say your boyfriend is the closest thing he has to a mate around here.’
‘You’ve no clue why he didn’t go to work?’
‘Not one. I just can’t get my head around it, Lucy. Day in, day out, week after week, we have the same routine,’ I sigh. I’m surprised at myself for confiding in Lucy so readily, but speaking my thoughts out loud to another person has an immediate effect. The tension I’ve been holding seems to flow out of me. Opening up is helping, so I continue. ‘Maybe that’s the problem – I was complacent. I wouldn’t even have thought to look for any anomalies on Tuesday morning. I was still reeling from him being taken in for questioning the previous evening and I was trying to get him to tell me about it. I was so focused on that, I wouldn’t have seen anything untoward in his actions, or spotted any differences in his behaviour.’
It hits me now that I wouldn’t even know if Tuesday was the first time Tom had missed work. How am I to know if it was a regular occurrence? The fact he lied to me once means he could easily have lied before.
My confidence in him being released is waning. Not just because of evidence the police might have, but because I’m suddenly aware he might always have been holding things back from me. Has my trust in him for all these years been misplaced?
Chapter 26
KATIE
Eight years ago
Katie lay on her back, Tom next to her, the heat from their bodies mingling and their breathing rapid. Beneath her, the picnic rug was rumpled and uncomfortable, but she didn’t move. Her mind wandered as she contemplated their relationship. Today had been a good day, just as he’d promised. He’d gone to a lot of effort with the picnic – brought all her favourite foods – and he’d lovingly held her hand as they’d chatted. His gift to her had been overwhelming – a total shock, but she’d recovered from it quickly enough. The sex that followed had been wild and abandoned; neither had cared if anyone saw. It was electric, like when they were first together. For those short moments, Katie had forgotten her concerns. Forgotten her cancelled plans with her friends.
Tom was a good boyfriend, wasn’t he? The fact he only ever wanted her to spend time with him was natural in a new relationship, she told herself. Maybe it was her who was being unfair, expecting him to put up with her immature friends when quite clearly they were still caught up in their post-uni lifestyle. She and Tom had moved on – had reached a different stage in their lives. Tom wasn’t afraid of commitment; today had proved that. Perhaps she was, which was why she had shied away. He could be so intense; but that was something she’d loved – craved, even – at the start. But now sometimes, just sometimes, that intensity frightened her.
She lifted herself up and, propping herself on one elbow, stared at Tom. She ran a finger over his slightly parted lips. So soft. His high cheekbones, beautifully chiselled; his intense eyes, large and the most amazing shade of blue she’d ever seen; his dark hair, wavy and dishevelled in a way that looked as though he’d styled it that way. Everything about him made her heart beat faster. Physically, he was perfect. But she couldn’t help sensing that something imperfect lay beneath. Something tugged at her unconscious: a stubborn red flag; a warning voice that refused to be silenced.
But for now, she relished his touch; his smell; his love for her. She’d worry about the rest another day. And maybe it was too late now anyway, seeing as she’d accepted the engagement ring.
***
T
OM
I knew the picnic and the present would win Katie over. How could she fail to be impressed? How could she say no? Judging by the sex, the way her body shuddered when I made her climax, I’d definitely sealed the deal. It had been a perfect moment.
If only she hadn’t gone and ruined it when we got back to the flat.
How dare she go behind my back like that? I trusted her. She knew how much I loved her; wanted her. I went out of my way for her all the time. I’d spent so much time and effort, and she repaid me by lying.
I read the texts over and over again.
She was mocking me, insinuating that I was forcing her to cancel her stupid plans – that she really couldn’t do anything about it. Is she trying to make me out to be some control freak? It’s like she wants to destroy our relationship. We’ve literally just committed to each other. Had she accepted the ring to placate me? So as not to cause a scene? Isaac can fuck right off – he’s always trying to wheedle his way in. He clearly wants her; I won’t have that. He must be stopped.
I’ll have to bide my time. Reacting immediately when I’m this wound up won’t be the best way. I’ll sit on it. Work out how to ensure she stays with me.
Chapter 27
BETH
Now
Poppy keeps asking when Daddy is coming home. We’re on our way to the café before we head back to the empty cottage. I’ve promised her she can choose a new animal to paint: anything to keep her little mind occupied and stop her getting upset that Daddy isn’t going to read her a bedtime story again. Tomorrow will be even worse. Being a weekend, she’d usually play
