‘I see your favourite animal is a cat, Jess,’ I say. ‘There’s an incredibly special cat waiting for you over here – would you like to see her?’
Jess peeks around from behind Adam and cranes her neck to where I’m pointing. I hold my hand out to her and she tentatively takes it. Adam smiles at me as I lead her to the bisque pieces, and Jess chooses her cat.
‘Thank you, you were great with her,’ Adam says when they’re sitting at the table ready to start. I draw up a chair and sit beside him.
‘It must be such a challenging time for you both – it can’t be easy to adapt.’
‘No, it’s not,’ he lowers his gaze, but not before I see the tears in his eyes. ‘You’d be amazed how many people think that because it’s been a year, we should be over it and getting on with life. To be fair, I suppose we are getting on with it, to a degree. I’m back at the office part-time – I can do a fair bit from home to be around Jess more. But honestly,’ he pauses, as if contemplating whether to confide in me, ‘I need to be with other adults sometimes, you know? It’s what keeps me sane. Whatever I choose, I feel like I’m doing everything wrong …’ His voice breaks, and he coughs as though he’s clearing his throat to cover it up. I really want to pop my hand on his or something, to show I empathise – but this is the first time I’ve properly spoken to him, so it doesn’t seem appropriate. Instead, I ask him about Jess: how she’s getting on at nursery; what she enjoys; how he manages with working and looking after her. Somehow I end up offering to have her for tea next week.
‘Really? Yes, that would be great. She needs to mix more with children her age outside of nursery. She’s quite shy.’
‘Oh, Poppy is the same. You’d be doing me a favour!’ I grin. ‘I’ve spent so much time here, trying to make a good go of the business, I fear I’ve neglected her a bit.’
‘Ah, I’m sure you haven’t. You’ll be an inspiration to her. And no doubt you spend lots of quality time with her when you’re away from here.’
I wonder if he’s just being kind, but then he stares right into my eyes and gives me a genuine-looking smile.
‘I love being with her. Being a mother is the best job in the world.’ As I say it, my heart drops. Oh, God – why did I say that? I didn’t think. ‘I – I mean …’
‘It’s fine, Beth. Really. Being a parent is the best job – no need to feel bad on my account.’
‘I don’t think before I open my mouth sometimes,’ I say, my face hot.
He laughs. ‘Do you know most people avoid me like the plague? Even now, they don’t know what to say. They feel awkward, so they give me a pleasant good morning, or a how’s things? But then they panic if I give more than a one-sentence answer.’ He brings his head closer to mine and whispers conspiratorially, ‘I’m surprised we were invited to this party, actually. Honestly, I’m thankful you’re talking to me! Please don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. I can assure you I won’t take any offence.’
‘Okay, that’s good,’ I grin, relieved, as I get up from the table. ‘Right, I’ll leave you and Jess to paint – looks like your cat is going to be the most colourful one I’ve ever seen!’ I smile at Jess. ‘Best check up on the others.’
I do the rounds, glad I’ve spoken with Adam. It must be so lonely for him. Maybe getting Poppy and Jess together will be of benefit to both of us.
As five o’clock approaches, a nervous knot starts tying itself tightly in my gut as I think about getting home. Now the party is almost over, I can allow myself to think about the murder enquiry. I’ll finally be able to talk to Tom soon. I don’t know how these things work, given they don’t have a body, but if they’re treating it as murder, they must have sufficient evidence pointing them in that direction.
Poor Katie.
I can’t imagine why they thought Tom could help, though. Despite him seeming fine this morning, it must’ve unsettled him to have the police turn up.
‘Thanks so much for letting us have the party here,’ Sally says, squeezing my arm. ‘Molly’s really enjoyed it. So have I. I’d love to come in on my own soon, actually, and make something a bit more … adult!’
‘Well, you’re very welcome, of course. And I’m glad Molly liked her party – it’s been fun!’ And I mean it, even if I hadn’t expected to. I’m utterly exhausted, but admittedly, it wasn’t as stressful as I’d imagined.
The stress is yet to come.
Chapter 7
BETH
Now
Tom’s car is parked in the lane outside the cottage. It invokes mixed emotions in me. I’m thankful he’s home on time, but a wave of nauseous anticipation still surges through me. I take several deep breaths and open the front door.
I immediately sense a problem. The house is silent.
Tom isn’t here.
‘Daddy?’ Poppy calls, running into the lounge, out again, then into the kitchen, looking for him. For a moment, I stand stock still, my mind in disarray. His car is
