One Mistake: A totally unputdownable gripping psychological thriller

by Rona Halsall

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  When she came out of the shower and opened the wardrobe, she found another beautiful dress, black this time, along with matching shoes. Tied to the hanger was a little evening bag. She looked inside and found a box containing a matching necklace and earrings. Costume jewellery, she told herself as she studied the sparkling stones, the colour of sapphires, set in a gold-coloured metal. The dress fitted, flattering her curves rather than making her feel chubby. James has quite an eye for clothes, she thought, but then she remembered he’d studied fashion design at university, and worked for a number of clothing manufacturers before he’d tired of the industry and decided he wanted to do something in the community that would also use his business skills.

  She slipped her feet into the sparkly high heels and studied herself in the mirror, turning this way and that, amazed at the transformation a nice outfit could make. Aware that her half-hour must nearly be up, she dried her hair and applied a bit of make-up, just enough to add a touch of glamour to her face and hide the shadows beneath her eyes.

  James knocked on the door as she was adding the last flicks of mascara to her lashes. ‘Nearly ready,’ she called, before slipping the evening bag over her shoulder and opening the door.

  His eyes scanned her body, up and down and up again. He gave a low whistle. ‘Looking gorgeous, Sara.’ He grinned at her. ‘I knew that dress was just right for you the minute I saw it. Perfect. And I know I’ve put you in a difficult situation, asking you to come here with me, but does the dress help make up for it?’

  A rush of emotion glued her lips together, the genuine look of appreciation on his face unexpected. She wasn’t used to compliments. Not any more. She’d been with Matt so long now she didn’t think he even noticed what she was wearing, let alone whether she looked good or not.

  James gave a little bow and offered her his arm, and she took it, welcoming the extra support as she struggled to get the hang of walking in the high heels. But she felt good. She really did. And it was wonderful to be appreciated. Am I that shallow? she wondered as she stepped into the lift. When the doors closed, she was aware of the proximity of him, the delicious smell of his aftershave, the warmth of his body next to hers. She inched away, reminding herself that there were boundaries that must not be crossed, because that would surely undermine everything she had built. This was business. And somehow she had to move the conversation round to their deal, tell him that things had changed.

  Her phone pinged as they were making their way to the dining room. James glanced at her, raised an eyebrow. They both knew who it would be without her even looking. He put a finger to his lips, and she remembered what he’d said about people being able to hear conversations.

  It was indeed Matt, repeating his request for pictures of the girls, and she knew she couldn’t stall again. Her eyes scanned the dining room, which stretched down one side of the building, looking out over the gardens. High ceilings and bay windows made it feel light and airy, while screens and large potted plants had been used to break it up into more private areas. She spotted a group of four women, perhaps a bit older than her, but not much. If she used the right filter, he wouldn’t know. Maybe do a silly one with bunny ears or something. She made her way over to their table, James following.

  ‘Excuse me, ladies,’ she said in her best professional voice, with her brightest smile. ‘We’re doing an article about the hotel – trying to push the spa weekends – and I just wondered if you’d mind posing for a quick picture. We want to make it look natural.’ She held up her phone.

  The women looked at each other and – with a few giggles – nodded their assent. Sara passed the phone to James, who rattled off some shots, then he handed it back and she took a couple of group selfies, the women laughing and playing along. Once she’d thanked them, she followed James to their table.

  ‘Look, I think you’re right about my phone.’ She glanced at the entrance, then back at James. ‘I’m just going to send these pictures and then I’ll leave my phone in the car. I’ll be ten minutes, okay?’

  ‘No problem.’ He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Take as long as you need, then we can relax properly.’

  She made her way back to the foyer, where she perched on one of the sofas while she chose a couple of pictures, applied filters and sent them. Then she followed James’s advice and tapped out messages to Matt, Fiona and Hailey, telling them it was a phone-free weekend and if they needed her to ring reception. Once that was done, she dashed out to her car and stashed her phone in the glove box, throwing it in there like it was about to spontaneously combust.

  With her heart thumping, and feeling more than a little flustered, she made her way back inside, hoping that she had allayed Matt’s fears.

  ‘All done?’ James asked as she sat at their table.

  She flashed him a smile and nodded, feeling the opposite of relaxed.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind – I ordered champagne to calm the nerves.’ The glass was fizzing gently in front of her, condensation beaded on the sides. No drink had ever looked more inviting. She took a grateful sip, then another, relishing the bubbles in her mouth, the sudden whoosh of well-being that swept her fears away. James beamed at her and topped her up.

  ‘Here’s to some time out,’ he said, a twinkle in his eyes as they chinked glasses.

  ‘Rest and relaxation,’ she replied, drinking the second glass as quickly as the first.

  She started to enjoy the evening, her mind fuzzy with champagne, which hushed her worries until they were indistinct murmurings that were easy to ignore. James entertained her with anecdotes, and the food was delicious, but as the evening wore on, she felt increasingly tired, fighting to keep her eyes open.

  ‘I think it might be time to retire to bed.’ He laughed. ‘I’ve been talking you to sleep, I think.’ He stood, held out his arm. ‘Come on, let me help you.’

  She forced herself to move, and took off her shoes to make it less of a struggle, giggling at the state she was in after a couple of drinks.

  ‘Sorry, I’m such a lightweight with alcohol,’ she slurred as they walked to the lift. ‘And it’s been a hell of a week.’

  ‘No problem,’ James assured her, patting her hand. ‘It’s been a lovely evening and I’m quite tired myself.’

  When they arrived at her room, he took her bag, retrieved her key card and opened the door for her, helping her inside before saying goodnight. She staggered over to the bed, flopped down and closed her eyes, her head spinning.

  She woke up slowly, eyelids stuck together, feeling groggy and sluggish. After a moment’s panic, thinking she needed to get up and deal with Ezra, she remembered she wasn’t at home, and allowed herself to enjoy the dreamy moments of not quite being awake for a little while longer. When her eyes finally decided they had the will to open properly, she realised she desperately needed the loo.

  Hauling herself out of bed, she noticed her dress and underwear hung neatly over the back of a chair, her shoes tucked underneath. Amazing what you manage to do when you’re drunk. She didn’t even remember getting undressed.

  To be honest, she felt better than she’d thought she would. Her head didn’t hurt, just felt a bit woolly, her mouth dry as dust. Nothing that some orange juice and a good cup of coffee wouldn’t resolve. It was only when she’d finished dressing and was putting on her watch that she realised what time it was. Eleven o’clock! No wonder she felt muzzy-headed, with all that sleep. Quickly, she left her room, crossed the corridor and knocked on James’s door, but there was no answer. Not surprising, given the time, she thought as she walked towards the lifts. He’d probably had his breakfast and was enjoying the sunshine in the gardens somewhere.

  She was thankful they’d decided to keep the morning free, booking some treatments in for the afternoon. James had insisted, even though she’d resisted initially, telling him that a weekend away was relaxing enough. A massage would be lovely, she thought. And a facial. Then she was getting her nails done. And at som
e point, when the time felt right, she’d have that conversation with James.

  I should probably check in with Matt and Hailey. Real life took charge of her thoughts again as soon as she exited the lift into the foyer, all the worries scurrying out of their hidey-holes, so many things she hadn’t allowed herself to think about. Like Matt’s business and whether he was doing something illegal. Something that could get them into trouble. Like you did, a voice in her head reminded her. But I’m putting that right. Her fingers flexed. I am.

  James was still in the dining room, reading his book, and he smiled at her when she arrived at the table.

  ‘Sleep well?’

  ‘Like a proverbial log.’ She sat down and poured a glass of orange juice from the jug on the table, gulped it down. ‘I don’t know when I last slept this late. Before I had kids, I suppose.’

  James poured her a cup of coffee from the cafetière that had miraculously arrived on the table. ‘Well, you must have needed the rest. And there’s nothing to do today except relax.’

  Relax? Fat chance of that happening. She stopped the ticking-off she was about to give herself and decided there would never be a right time to have the conversation with James. Now would have to do.

  ‘James, I need to talk to you properly about…’

  He turned his back on her and signalled for the waiter to come over. She tutted, annoyed that he wasn’t listening, then hesitated and decided to wait. Can’t do anything on an empty stomach, she told herself, her thinking still a little foggy.

  James turned to her. ‘Sorry, what were you saying?’

  She gave him a quick smile, shook her head. ‘Nothing. Just… It’ll keep.’

  He started chatting about his book – the latest Andy McNab thriller – and she sipped her coffee, no longer listening as she wondered how best to phrase her question, how to put herself in a position to negotiate. It was a tricky one, because as she saw it, if this was a game of poker they were playing, he had all the best cards.

  ‘I’ve got a couple of things to sort out,’ he said when her breakfast arrived. He held up his phone, as if that explained everything. ‘I’ll see you outside, shall I? In that seating area we picked out yesterday. I’ll be half an hour at the most.’

  In one way, it was a relief that he’d gone, but it was frustrating too, as she’d just got herself psyched up for talking about the terms of their deal. Had he sensed that? By the time she had some food inside her, and another cup of coffee, her brain had started to function properly again, and a slow smile crept across her lips as a new idea formed.

  By covering up her crime, James was an accessory. That’s right! He’s done something wrong too. And Fiona would use that in an instant to sack him. Which left them with stalemate. But that wasn’t a bad place to be, she decided as she mulled it over. Better that they were both in debt to each other, then she could repay him the money, nullify their deal and everything could get back to normal. How she longed for that.

  Although James was the perfect gentleman, and she had enjoyed his company, there was something a little odd about him. His precision, the desire to buy her clothes, have her dress the way he wanted. Fiona’s warning rang in her mind again. Maybe it wasn’t jealousy that had made her speak out. Maybe she’d been talking to her as a friend. The more Sara thought about it, the greater her sense of unease, stirring the contents of her stomach, making her feel a little sick.

  I don’t want to be here.

  She wanted to be at home with her children and her husband, doing the things they always did on a Saturday. This was an alien environment. What was I thinking, imagining I’d been missing treats like this from my life? It was an empty pleasure compared to spending time with Ezra and the girls. And spending time with Matt? Well, that was something she needed to do more of too.

  An urgent need to speak to her family swelled inside her, filling her chest until she couldn’t bear it, and she dashed outside to her car to retrieve her phone. It took her a moment to realise the battery was flat. With a silent scream, she slammed the car door and locked it before taking the phone up to her room to recharge.

  Feeling more resolute now she had her bargaining position worked out, she plugged in the phone and waited for it to buzz to life. No messages. A twinge of hurt squeezed at her heart. You told them it was a no-phones weekend, she reminded herself. Still, it would have been nice to feel needed, or to know they were missing her.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the dress draped over the chair. It suddenly felt like a symbol of James’s control. Was this what Fiona meant? she wondered, thinking of the way James had gradually been taking more of her time, slowly separating her from her husband and family. She gave a little shiver, and hung the dress up in the wardrobe, out of sight, along with the bag and the jewellery. He could have it all back. She didn’t want him to decide what clothes she would wear.

  The more she thought about it, the odder it felt.

  I’m going home, she decided. I’m going to have that chat, get this sorted, then I’m going.

  She rang Matt. No answer.

  She rang Hailey. No answer.

  Where are they?

  A knock on the door made her jump. She answered it to find James standing there.

  ‘I was waiting for you,’ he said, a note of impatience in his voice.

  ‘I’m going home.’ Sara opened the door wider to let him into the room. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be here. I can’t relax.’ She caught the panic in his eyes, made herself go on. ‘I just feel too guilty. I should be with my family.’

  ‘But what about our deal?’

  She stepped away from him, not so confident now. ‘You covered up a criminal act by lending me that money, so the way I see it, if the truth comes out, you’re in as much trouble as me.’ At last she’d stood her ground, and she straightened her back, pulled herself up to her full height.

  He looked startled, just for a second, then regained his composure and gave her a warm smile.

  ‘Look, why don’t you come into the garden? Let’s get a coffee and have a proper chat about this.’

  She knew she’d feel happier talking about everything outside, where there were other people around, rather than in the confined space of her bedroom, so she followed him down the corridor. They made their way to the gardens, ordering coffee at reception on the way.

  Sara perched on the edge of her chair, determined to get their discussion over with.

  ‘Don’t look so worried,’ James said, settling back in his seat. He smiled at her, eyes searching hers. ‘I’m just trying to treat you in the way you deserve, that’s all. I know it may seem strange, but it gives me pleasure to see you having a good time.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘And we did have a good time last night, didn’t we?’

  She thought about their dinner, the easy chat, the laughter, and nodded. ‘Yes, we did. But the thing is… I’m homesick. I know that sounds daft, but I’ve never been away from the kids before, and although I might have yearned for this type of weekend, the reality is different. You know Matt’s being really awkward and suspicious, and now I’ve started thinking about it, I can’t relax. I need to go home. Be with my family.’

  James pressed his lips together, thoughtful. He picked up his coffee and took a sip before putting the cup carefully back on the saucer. ‘I don’t want to bully you into spending time with me.’ He looked a little sad, and she realised she’d been insensitive, perhaps hurt his feelings. ‘But a deal’s a deal.’

  ‘I can pay you back.’ This was her trump card, and she saw the surprise in his eyes, felt a moment of triumph, like she had the upper hand for once. ‘Matt’s finished his contract, so he’ll get paid soon. I can pay you some of the money, if not all of it.’

  He stared at her, an intensity in his blue eyes that she hadn’t seen before, and she looked away, hands fidgeting in her lap. It was all she could do to stop herself from getting up and making a run for it back to her room.

  ‘Well, I’m pleased f
or you.’ The curtness in his voice suggested the opposite. ‘But until that money is in my account, our deal has to stand, doesn’t it?’ He sighed. ‘I think you’ve got me all wrong, though, Sara. I’m not trying to make life hard for you. I’m just a friend, someone who wants to look after you. And now you’re going to run back to that yob of a husband.’ He held up a hand. ‘Sorry. No offence, but I can…’ He took a deep breath, his voice gentle, pleading. ‘Why don’t we stick with plan A? Just for this weekend. I’ve booked the treatments for this afternoon. Then we can have a lovely dinner tonight. You get another good night’s sleep and we’ll leave before lunch tomorrow instead of staying the whole day. How about that? Just allow yourself to relax and be treated for once in your life.’

  She thought about the massage, how nice that would be, how much she needed her muscles untangling, all the stress smoothed away. She glanced at him and he gave her a hopeful smile. ‘Nobody’s expecting you home until tomorrow. Your family will have made their own plans, and to be honest, it’s good to let them try and manage without you. Then they’ll understand what you do for them and they might treat you a bit better.’

  She bit her lip as she wavered.

  He carried on. ‘I know I can trust you, Sara. I know you’re an honourable woman. I know taking the money was a moment of madness, a mistake. And I know you’ll pay me back one day. But…’ he shrugged, ‘humour me, however strange it may seem. I like making people happy; it has value to me. So our deal stands, but just until the money is in my account, okay?’

  She let his words sink in, still torn, part of her wanting to run home, another part yearning for time to herself so she could work out what had happened to her life and who she could really trust. She studied his face, his eyes imploring her to stay. He looked like a dog waiting for its owner to decide if it was time to go for a walk, scrutinising her every move. She thought about the time they’d spent together. Although he’d been attentive, he’d never made a move to seduce her, even when she’d been a bit drunk the night before. He’d only ever been kind to her.