by Louise Guy
His eyes were soft, full of compassion. ‘In addition to your arm, which is broken in two places, you’ve got a nasty concussion, but the CT scan showed no other brain trauma. We’ve stitched the cut on your forehead and there will be some discomfort from bruising that you’ll have to contend with. Your nose is bruised but not broken. The front airbag most likely caused that. You may find your memory a little hazy but that should return to normal over the next few weeks. If you do experience any ongoing issues, we’ll book a full MRI scan. At this stage I don’t think that’s necessary.” He cleared his throat. “I am very sorry to inform you that we were unable to save the passenger in the vehicle. Her injuries were too extensive.”
Tears escaped Leah’s eyes. She already knew Eve was gone, but hearing the doctor confirm it made it real.
He gave her a moment to try and compose herself before continuing. ‘Due to the serious nature of the accident, the police would like to talk to you. They’re waiting outside. Do you think you’re up for it?’
Leah managed a brief nod.
The doctor gave her a sad smile and patted her arm before leaving the room.
Moments later two female police officers entered.
‘Eve, I’m Detective Sergeant Jenkins and this is Detective Sergeant Cosh. We need to ask you a few questions.’
Eve? They still thought she was her sister. She opened her mouth but the lump in her throat prevented her from speaking. Instead she gave a small nod.
‘Firstly, we are very sorry for your loss. I believe the passenger was your sister?’
Leah nodded again.
‘The paramedics retrieved your bags from the vehicle. This is rather an unusual case for us and makes identifying your sister a little tricky. Your licenses show that you are twins. Is this the case?’
‘Yes, identical.’
‘And you were dressed the same. Where were you going?’
‘To a friend’s fortieth birthday party. We were taking a shortcut through that property to her house.’
‘Can you tell us what happened? The forensic team will have more information later, but we hoped you could tell us.’
‘Kangaroo,’ Leah said. ‘It came out of nowhere.’ She squeezed her eyes shut while the scene replayed before her. ‘I swerved to miss it and the car spun and went through the barrier. I think I hit the kangaroo, but I’m not sure. We went through the barrier backward and then the car rolled.’
‘And your sister wasn’t wearing a seat belt?’
‘She was. She took it off on the way down. Said she was getting out.’ She recalled the crunch when Eve slammed hard into the roof of the rolling vehicle. A lump formed in her throat. ‘But she couldn’t.’
Jenkins’ eyes filled with sympathy. ‘Thank you, Eve. There will be further investigations of course but those details make our job a lot easier.’
Leah stared at the police officer. They still thought she was Eve.
She almost smiled through her tears. Eve would like that even in death, she’d been able to fool people.
When they were in primary school, it had always been Eve suggesting they switch for the day. She’d loved sports class and Leah art, so her twin had organised that they traded places for those classes.
Eve would get to do sport twice, and Leah art, twice a week. When they chose to dress identically, no one could tell them apart.
Their personalities were very different, but when they needed to act at being their twin, it was easy. Leah had enjoyed it. It’d given her the chance to act more confidently, say things she normally wouldn’t. It must’ve been hard for Eve, having to be quiet and good for an entire lesson.
The police officer was still talking, but she’d tuned them out.
They thought she was Eve. They thought Leah had died in the accident.
If only that had been the case. Her family would grieve, but it wouldn’t leave the same gap in the lives of the girls that Eve’s death would.
They were referring to her as Eve again. Was there any way they could tell that she wasn’t Eve?
Leah stared at the ceiling, her heart rate suddenly quickening. She could be Eve. The girls wouldn’t lose their mother. Sean wouldn’t lose his wife.
She could use the memory loss to her advantage, play on that anytime something didn’t add up. But what about her life?
Her parents would be upset, and her nieces, but other than a handful of friends, who would miss her?
It would serve bloody Fitzy right too. He wouldn’t be able to control her career if she was dead.
‘We’ll need to contact your family, Eve,’ Jenkins said. ‘We’ve accessed the emergency contacts in your phone and see that you have Sean West and Leah Donaldson listed.’ Her face was full of kindness. ‘Leah also had you listed as one of her emergency contacts. We will of course call Sean immediately. Is he your husband?’
This was Leah’s chance to correct her. She hesitated. Was there anyway the doctors or police could tell them apart? Fingerprints maybe? Neither she nor Eve had ever been arrested, so there wouldn’t be a record of them.
She’d be living a lie, but she’d do anything for Eve, and she’d do anything for her nieces. Not only could she prevent them from losing their mother, she’d become the best mother possible. She could keep the promise she’d made to her sister in her dying seconds.
Leah looked Jenkins in the eye, tears rolling down her own cheeks. Her answer would seal her fate. She cleared her throat. ‘Yes…Sean’s my husband. Please call him.’
9
Sean couldn’t concentrate on the game. He’d hardly touched his beer. The cruelness of what he’d said to Eve that evening replayed in his mind. While there’d been truth to some of it, it’d been unfair.
They hadn’t communicated properly in months, and to spew all those things out was not only out of character for him, but horrible. That she’d reached for a glass of wine showed how much the conversation had affected her. That was completely out of character for Eve. She hardly drank and never drank, not even a glass, before driving.
They needed to sit down properly and discuss where they were at. They were both busy, neither of them saw enough of the girls, and while Kate was fantastic to have around, the girls needed more of their parents.
They also needed to be doing things as a family. Weekends were usually spent tag teaming. Eve would go for a run or to the gym, or he would, or one of them would be at work. The four of them rarely spent any quality time together.
He couldn’t remember the last time they’d taken the girls out to the park or to the zoo or even the movies.
Sean picked up his warm beer and walked through to the kitchen. He poured the contents down the sink and added the bottle to the recycling. He needed to apologise to Eve.
The look on her face when he’d suggested she was having an affair had been complete shock. While they’d drifted apart recently, her reaction made him think he was wrong. She felt strongly about cheating, but her behaviour seemed to fit the pattern.
Sean probably needed to have a look more at his own behaviour. She was right. Through the week, he was rarely home before ten. Weekends, he was out as much as she was, putting his own needs ahead of the family.
In many ways his behaviour was no better than hers. He was a lot better with the girls, but they loved her. The disappointment they’d both displayed when she’d said she couldn’t go out for dinner was obvious.
It wasn’t only them spending time as a family. He and Eve might sleep side by side some nights but of late, that was all. They needed to go out on a date. Go for dinner or a movie or even bowling.
Something fun that they used to do. Something that made them laugh. Enjoy being together.
He smiled, switched off the kitchen light, and made his way up the stairs. For every nasty thought he’d had about Eve, this relationship and this family was not only up to his wife to make work.
Sean could—and needed to—play a big role in fixing it. First step would be an apology. If Eve had
spoken to him like he’d spoken to her today, he would’ve been as shocked and hurt as she was.
He’d make that up to her and organise some time for the two of them to be together. He might even call his parents in the morning and see if they’d look after the girls so he could take Eve down to the beach. A walk along the foreshore would give them a chance to chat. Take small steps towards reconnecting.
Sean stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. He felt like a weight had lifted from him making those decisions. It was already past twelve.
He didn’t expect Eve to come home tonight. She’d probably have a few wines and stay at Nicola’s. That would give him and the girls a chance in the morning to go out and get some flowers. To do something nice.
Sean was drifting off to sleep when his phone rang. He grabbed for it, expecting at the late hour it would be Eve, probably drunk, letting him know she was staying the night or needed a lift home. ‘Eve?’
The voice that greeted him belonged to a male, definitely not his wife.
‘Good evening, am I speaking with Sean West?’
‘Yes, that’s me.’
‘Mr West, my name is Doctor Philip Logan. I’m sorry to tell you but your wife has been involved in a car accident.’
A lump rose in his throat. He tried to speak through it. ‘Is she all right?’
‘She’s received cuts and bruising, a broken arm and a severe knock to the head, but yes, she’s all right.’
He released a breath, his voice now a whisper. ‘Thank God.’
‘She’s been admitted to Dandenong General Hospital. Are you able to come to the hospital?’
What about the girls? Kate. He’d ring her first then his parents if she wasn’t available. ‘Of course. I’ll organise someone to look after our girls and then I’ll come straight there.’
‘There’s no hurry, Mr West. Eve will quite likely be sleeping by the time you arrive. I suggest you bring a bag of her clothes, toiletries and any personal items you think she might need. She will be kept in for at least a night or two for observation. Now, take your time and please drive carefully.’
Sean stared at his phone as the call disconnected.
Eve had been in an accident. Was it his fault?
The nasty things he’d said had driven her to have a glass of wine, something she never did before driving. Was she so upset by what he’d said that she’d lost concentration?
Guilt racked his body. He pulled his clothes back on and rang Kate’s number. It clicked straight to voicemail. He didn’t bother to leave a message and instead dialled his parents.
Sean explained to his mother what’d happened, and he hung up. He started to organise an overnight bag. He stood in the walk-in-robe and stared at her clothes.
Work suits, dresses and designer labels stared back at him. Eve had class, he’d give her that, but these clothes were hardly comfortable for a hospital stay.
He dismissed them and instead opted for the few comfortable pairs of sweat pants, an aqua hoodie he’d always loved and two other sweatshirts. He could always bring her some fancier clothes if she felt she needed them but these were the clothes he liked her in. More casual, less uptight.
Sean added underwear and runners to the bag before moving into the bathroom. Her toiletry bag was missing. She must’ve taken it, expecting she might stay at Nicola’s. She probably had spare clothes with her. She’d hardly re-dress in her wonder twin outfit. Did she have those items with her now?
In case she didn’t he put together a selection of toiletries and make-up from what was left in the bathroom. He ducked his head into the girls room, his breath catching as he watched them sleep.
Their beautiful blonde hair spilled onto their pillows. Their faces so innocent. How could he have thought for one minute that he and Eve splitting up would be good for them?
The sound of a car on the driveway caught his attention. He closed the bedroom door and made his way down the stairs to the front door to greet his parents.
Forty-five minutes after falling into his mother’s tight embrace, Sean parked his car in a multi-storey car park adjoining the hospital and hurried through to the emergency area. He’d contemplated calling Eve’s parents on the way, but decided to leave it until the morning. It was already late, and if Eve was sleeping, it would do nothing but worry them unnecessarily. He’d call them and Leah first thing.
The automatic doors opened as he walked into the Emergency area and made his way to the front desk.
Eve had been moved from Emergency and was now on the ward in a private room.
A nurse stopped him as he reached the ward. ‘Mr West?’
Sean nodded.
The nurse’s smile was warm and friendly. ‘Your wife’s sleeping. We’ve given her some medication to help her get off to sleep. She was very upset and in shock. I’m afraid she might not wake for a few hours.’
‘But she’s okay.’
‘Physically, yes. Emotionally, it may take some time.’
‘Do you know what happened?’
‘No,’ the nurse said. ‘The police have spoken in detail with Dr Logan. He’s in surgery at the moment, but will come and talk to you once he finishes up. For now, why don’t you go in and sit with your wife? The chair next to the bed is quite comfortable. Hopefully you’ll get some sleep too.’
Sean hesitated in the doorway of Eve’s room before pushing open the door. His stomach contracted looking at his wife. The parts of her blonde hair that weren’t bandaged were scattered across the pillow, exactly like the twins’ had been, however her face did not reflect childhood innocence.
The parts that weren’t deathly white were bruised and swollen. Her head was bandaged and her nose was bruised black. Her left arm was in a sling.
He moved to the chair next to Eve’s bed and took her right hand in his. ‘I’m here, sweetheart.’
Eve’s steady breathing continued.
He tried to block out the jumble of thoughts and what ifs that kept playing through his mind. He hadn’t even thought to ask the nurse if anyone else had been hurt in the accident.
Eve was going to be all right but what if she’d hurt, or even killed, someone in the other vehicle?
He shuddered.
It was close to two when the door opened and a doctor entered. He beckoned and Sean followed him into the corridor.
‘Dr Logan,’ the man said, holding out his hand.
Sean shook it.
‘Your wife was lucky based on what happened. Her injuries are fairly minor. A CT scan showed no brain trauma, however clinically she has a concussion. For now we must monitor how she progresses.’
‘Do you know what happened?’ he asked.
Dr Logan’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’m sorry, I was under the impression the police were returning to discuss the accident with you. It is possible they’re escorting Ms Donaldson’s parents to the hospital.’
‘Ms Donaldson’s? That’s my wife’s maiden name, not her married name. It’s Mrs West. I’d planned to ring her parents in the morning. Is there really any need to wake them in the middle of the night? I’m her next of kin, not them.’
‘Mr West, I’m afraid Eve wasn’t alone when the accident occurred. Her sister, Ms Leah Donaldson, was in the vehicle with her.’ The doctor lowered his eyes. ‘I’m afraid her injuries were incompatible with life. She died before reaching the hospital.’
The air was sucked out of him. He stumbled and Dr Logan grabbed his arm to stop him from falling. He led Sean over to a row of chairs lined up against the wall of the corridor.
Leah was dead.
He put his head in his hands. How would Eve live with herself? How would he live with himself?
Dr Logan was still sitting with him.
Sean looked up at the doctor. ‘It’s a huge shock. Leah is, was, a big part of our lives. Eve will be devastated as will her parents and my girls. So many people.’
‘I’m very sorry.’
‘Was anyone else involved?’ Sean asked. ‘Ano
ther car?’
The doctor shook his head. ‘No. I’m sure Eve or the police will provide you with more detail but it appears the car swerved to miss a kangaroo and skidded through a barrier and off the side of the road. Unfortunately, they were on a steep hill and the car rolled. It was a very unfortunate incident. No alcohol was involved, and whilst there will of course be further investigation, at this stage the police aren’t treating the accident as suspicious.’
No alcohol? How did they work that out? He’d seen Eve drink the wine with his own eyes.
The doctor rose. ‘I’ll be back in the morning to check on Eve, and determine when she can be released. I’d suggest at this stage she’ll be in for at least another thirty-six hours for observation, but will confirm that in the morning.’
‘Thank you.’
Once the doctor left, Sean sat, hands in head.
Leah, beautiful, gentle Leah. Grief built inside him.
He wanted to scream but instead dug his fingers into his temple until the pain was almost too much. He deserved to hurt. Deserved to be punished. He’d pushed and pushed at Eve. Said despicable things to her. Accused her of horrible acts. Told her what a bad mother she was. The shock from his words had been written all over her face. The gulping of the wine to block them out.
A hand touched him gently on the shoulder. ‘Mr West, Eve is awake.’
Sean met the nurse’s eyes. They were full of compassion. She knew about Leah. They all knew about Leah.
What they didn’t know was he didn’t deserve compassion. He hauled himself to his feet and stopped momentarily outside Eve’s door before pushing it open to face his wife.
Leah’s heart pounded when the door to her room opened and Sean hesitated in the doorway. His eyes were red rimmed, his face pale. She still had time to back out, to admit she was Leah. Declare herself to be muddled and confused.
His eyes met hers, the depth of his pain revealed. She sucked in a breath. She hadn’t imagined Sean to be so upset on hearing the news of her death.
He moved to her bedside and sat next to her on the bed. He put one arm around her and without saying anything, drew her gently to him, unlocking a tidal wave of tears within her.
