It Started With A House: Lizzie. Book 1 (The Westport Mysteries)

by Beth Prentice

  On reaching the bathroom door, I took a deep breath, opened it and approached the mirror with my eyes closed. You can do this, Lizzie. Everybody else had seen my face, it was time to man up and look for myself. Slowly I opened my eyes.

  Ok, internally, I was screaming the house down, but all that could come out of my mouth was a quiet little eek. My throat constricted. What looked back at me from the mirror was a black and purple face I hardly recognized. My eye and lip were swollen and a clump of hair missing from the back of my scalp. No amount of make-up in the world would cover this.

  I decided the only thing I could do was have a shower and wash my hair, styling it as best I could to cover my face. I gently brushed on mineral foundation and sprayed myself with the most expensive perfume I owned. Finding my new jeans and top, I pushed my D-cups up as far as they would go, hoping that with this distraction, nobody would be paying too much attention to my face. With my best heels on, I was ready to face the world. It wasn’t great, but I did feel a whole lot better than I had thirty minutes ago.

  Riley smiled when I got back down stairs, his eyes only momentarily lingering on my cleavage. “It was your mum on the phone. She wants us all there for dinner tonight. She’s celebrating Harper’s heroism.”

  Chapter Thirty One

  After spending the rest of the afternoon at the police station recounting every detail I could remember from the events of the day before, I drove with Riley to Mum’s. I felt a familiar tug on my heartstrings as I watched him concentrating on the road, deep in thought.

  I knew I’d fallen in love with him and I kind of had a feeling he felt something for me, but there was no use kidding myself. He was leaving soon.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, concern causing his eyebrows to knit together.

  “Yes. Why?”

  “You just groaned.” Oops. I really need a filter between my brain and my mouth.

  “I have to go back to Ackwood and get my car,” I said, quickly thinking on my feet. “I remember having the keys in my hand as I walked through the car park yesterday, but I honestly don’t know if I dropped them or put them back in my bag. I hope my car’s still there,” I said, crossing my fingers.

  “I’ll get Molly to drive with me and I’ll go and pick it up,” said Riley.

  “Oh?” Jealousy rolled and clenched my stomach. “Why Molly?”

  “Because you probably shouldn’t be driving just yet and I don’t want it to stay there another night.” Riley looked at me, a look of amusement in his eyes.

  “What’s so funny?” I snapped.

  “Nothing. It’s just, even with all those bruises, you look really cute when you’re jealous.” This earned me the megawatt smile.

  “Who says I’m jealous? Maybe I just don’t like Molly driving my car,” I sulked. Gee, I really need to work on my poker face a bit more.

  Pulling up outside Mum’s, Riley turned to me. “Lizzie, I have to drive to Loganville in the morning to prepare for a job and I’m going to be gone for a while, but when I get back I still really want to sort a few things out with you.”

  “Can’t we sort it out before you go?”

  “I’d like to, but I have to get your car tonight and I’m leaving really early in the morning, so I don’t think I’ll have enough time,” he said, a look of sorrow clouding his eyes.

  “Oh, okay.” I felt my heart sink.

  Sitting there in Mum’s driveway looking out at the darkening sky, I wondered what it was he wanted to talk about. I mean, if he was just going to tell me he loved me, was crazy about me, couldn’t live without me etcetera, then why couldn’t he just say it? The only answer I could come up with was that he didn’t feel any of these things and wanted to let me down gently. Shit, that was an emotion that hurt. Hearing Riley open his door, I blinked several times to try to clear any lingering feelings and followed him into Mum’s.

  Mum had gone all out. You would have thought it was Christmas with the amount of food she’d prepared. This was a feast. There was roast vegetables, roast chicken, gravy and my favourite of all, a huge chocolate mud cake. My stomach growled at the smell of it all.

  “Hello, Baby,” she said, rushing over to me as soon as I walked in the door. Returning her hug, she stepped back to survey my face and I saw the tears well in her eyes.

  “It’s okay, Mum. I’m all good. I’ll look like my old self in no time,” I smiled.

  “Well, come on in. We’ve got a few extras tonight. Your Auntie Margaret and Uncle Frank have come for dinner. I thought it was about time they met Riley.”

  “Really? Why do they have to meet Riley?” I asked, anxiety churning in my stomach.

  Mum answered with a cluck, as if I’d just asked a stupid question. Walking into the lounge, I spotted Danny and grabbed his arm.

  “Did you know Auntie M and Uncle Frank were going to be here?” I hissed.

  “No. Do you think I’d be here if I did?” he answered.

  “Danny, I can’t do this!” I said, anxiety now running through me at warp speed. “Mum’s showing him off, isn’t she?”

  “Looks like it,” he grimaced.

  “Riley and I are not an item and if there was any chance of that happening, them being here will guarantee he runs for the hills. I’ve scared him half to death with my appearance in the morning. He’s watched me vomit in public, flash my knickers, seen me naked – which let me tell you was not a good thing at the time—and I’ve frightened the life out of him. Plus he had to look at me today before I even had a chance to fix myself up. Believe me–the way I look right now is good. Riley doesn’t deserve this,” I said, looking at Danny, desperation screaming from every pore.

  Danny looked at me sympathetically. “You’re right, he doesn’t. I mean you look like shit now. No man deserves to see you look worse than this. But, he’s got to meet them some time,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

  “No he doesn’t! Did you not hear me? I said Riley and I are not an item! In fact I think he wants to tell me he doesn’t feel that way about me.” My heart started to palpitate and sweat broke out on my upper lip. “Danny, please. I couldn’t stand the humiliation if Mum announces we’re a couple. You have to stop her.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll talk to her. But I don’t think she’ll listen. You know what she’s like when she’s got an idea in her head.”

  Yeah, I knew only too well.

  “Margaret!” I heard Mum call. My heart skipped a beat. “I want you to meet Lizzie’s new boyfriend, Riley.”

  Mum was herding Riley into the lounge and away from Dad and Drew, who were hiding out in the kitchen. I took one look at Riley’s face and wished with all my heart the ground would open up and the Earth would swallow me.

  “Sorry, not quick enough,” whispered Danny, who judging by the grin on his face was not sorry at all. He was standing back ready to enjoy the show.

  “It’s no good trying to stop her now. She’s been going on all afternoon about your new boyfriend,” said Grandma Mabel, who’d snuck up behind me.

  Riley looked like a cornered rat, eyes wide, looking for all the exits. As humiliating as this was, after all he had done for me, I had to save him.

  “Mum! Riley is not my boyfriend,” I hissed, grabbing Mum’s arm and giving her the death stare. This didn’t have the required effect as it was difficult to squint your eyes when one of them was already half shut.

  “Oh, hush, Lizzie,” she said, turning away from me and back to Riley. “Riley, this is my sister Margaret and her husband Frank,” she said, pushing Riley forward and if I may say, under the oncoming bus.

  Auntie Margaret’s face was priceless though. There was unspoken competition between Mum and Auntie M to see who had the best-looking children, the smartest children, the child with the best job etcetera, etcetera. Well, if Riley really was my boyfriend, Mum would have just won Best Looking Son-In-Law.

  Auntie M looked like she’d swallowed something sour as she held out her hand to Riley. I heard Danny snigger behind me, as
I watched Riley turn on the charm. Basking in the glow of his smile, Auntie M turned from being bitter to flirting in a blink of an eye. I saw the look of triumph cross Mum’s face as she quickly changed the subject and called everyone to the table.

  “Sorry,” was all I could come up with as Riley walked behind me to the dining room.

  * * * *

  Dinner, as usual was a noisy affair, especially with the extras in the room. Auntie M held center of attention as always with her loud voice and colorful language, Harper enjoyed his bone and I enjoyed the chocolate cake. After dinner, Riley organized with Molly to go and get my car and I went home to face my demons.

  Cat was extremely happy to see me, winding himself around my legs, hoping I would feed him. Standing in the doorway to the kitchen, I took a few deep breaths and told myself it was all over now. I had Officer Wilkins’ number on speed dial and I knew Mum and Dad would understand if I changed my mind and slept on their couch. I wouldn’t do that, of course. I had to build a bridge and get over any lingering fear of yesterday.

  After showering and getting into bed—being extra vigilant and putting a chair under the door handle—I thought about the ring that had started it all. I knew I didn’t want it and after knowing about Brian Hogan the jeweler, I didn’t want the trouble of selling it either. I just wanted rid of it. Deciding that tomorrow I would contact John Buckner and give the ring back to him, I took one of the sleeping pills the doctor had prescribed and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  * * * *

  The next morning dawned wet and stormy. I looked out into my driveway and saw my Mini had been returned. I don’t know what time Riley and Molly had got back, but I hadn’t heard a thing. After doing the usual shower, teeth cleaning and hair thing, I went downstairs in search of caffeine. There was a note on the table along with my car keys and fresh coffee brewing in the pot.

  Hi Lizzie

  I tried to wake you last night but your bedroom door was locked and I didn’t want to disturb you. I picked up the last of your things from my place and left them in the lounge in case you needed them and I put a pot of coffee on. I know how much you need your morning caffeine hit.

  Take care

  Riley x

  So that was it. Riley was gone. Suddenly the house felt empty. Looking around, I felt the loneliness seep back out of the walls and smother me once again. Maybe the loneliness would never leave this house. All I knew was I didn’t want to be here anymore. Throwing the note back on the table, I picked up my keys and stormed out of the house. Cat could get his own breakfast.

  Getting in my car, I drove aimlessly. Before too long I realized I was heading back to Ackwood. Jared had given the ring and the letters back to me at the hospital and I had them all in my bag, so John Buckner, here I come.

  An hour later, I pulled up at the nursing home and found John, but sadly not Wilhelmina. Holding back tears, John told me how Wilhelmina had passed away later in the evening of my last visit. He said she felt at peace knowing Avis’ grave would be looked after and that the ring had been found. She prayed that all the awful things the Thornton family had done in the name of God would be known and that justice would serve. If only she’d known.

  “John, I don’t want this ring,” I said, handing the box over to him, along with the letters. “I’m giving it to you to do whatever you want with it. I know Wilhelmina told me to keep it or sell it, but right now, I can’t deal with it.”

  “I’m sorry for what my family did to you, Lizzie,” he said, sorrow in his eyes.

  “It’s okay. I’m glad he got caught and will be prosecuted for all the things he did. I’m just sorry Will wasn’t here to see it.”

  “Yeah, but I like to think she’s in Heaven and that she’s happy now.”

  I liked to think this too.

  * * * *

  A week had passed since Riley left and I’d been to visit John. I paid a visit to Avis’ grave and found someone had been there and left some flowers for her. Hopefully, John would do the right thing and one day, give her a headstone.

  Danny, Drew and Molly had decided a night out in the city was what we all needed to celebrate life. I hadn’t heard a word from Riley since he’d left and had a sinking feeling I never would. The distance between us probably gave him the reason he needed never to contact me again. Having a major broken heart gave me no reason to celebrate life, so it was with arguments and threats that I was dragged to Danny’s salon and given another make over.

  With long flowing curls, smokey eyes and the sexiest little dress I’d ever bought, I reluctantly got into Molly’s car with the promise that I could consume lots of alcohol once I got there.

  Danny and Drew had chosen a very popular nightclub in the heart of the city and being Friday night, it was packed. Bodies jumped around on the dance floor, jammed up against each other as they all fought for position at the bar, and the music pumped. I’ll admit, that after my second drink—remembering I am not much of a drinker—I was feeling the most relaxed I had in days. The short skirt was also gaining me a bit of male attention, which was good for the ego.

  After the Scott debacle and Riley running for his life, my self-esteem was at an all-time low. Molly’s self-esteem, however, was not low as I watched her strut her stuff in her tight midnight blue mini dress and four-inch high heels. With her hair tied up messily on top of her head and silver dangly earrings showing the curve of her beautiful neck, two different men jostled for her attention. When the song ended she gave them both a little finger wave and strutted back to me.

  “Having fun yet?” she yelled above all the noise, as the next song started to play.

  “Not really, but it’s not too bad.” I smiled.

  Okay. I was having fun. Looking around the room, I thought this place was actually alright. The bar was positioned in the middle of the room with a dance floor on one side and tables on the other. A single glass staircase worked its way around the room and up to the second level of tables for those wishing a more intimate setting. The lighting was low in the seated areas, and bright and flashy over the dance floor as the DJ mixed his stuff at the far end of the room, in his box high above the crowd.

  Taking the time to crowd watch—one of my favourite pastimes—I saw Danny and Drew grind their stuff with the best of them, both of them laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I loved them both with all my heart but a spike of jealousy for what they had threatened to spoil my alcohol induced happiness. Thoughts of Riley and what he was doing right now flitted through my mind.

  “You’re not allowed any sad thoughts, tonight, Lizzie,” said Molly, reading my mind.

  “That’s easier said than done.” Looking down at my drink, I swirled it around in my hand and tried to think of something other than those sky blue eyes.

  “Hello, Elizabeth,” I heard a very familiar voice say.

  Looking up, any thoughts of Riley completely forgotten, I came face to face with Scott. This was the first time he’d spoken to me since I’d walked in on him and Brenda. It took me a moment to gather my thoughts and get over the shock.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice several octaves higher than I’d hoped for.

  “Brenda and I are having an evening out,” he nodded in the direction of Brenda, who seeing Molly, had sensibly kept her distance. “I saw you standing here on your own and Brenda convinced me to come and talk to you.”

  “What could you possibly have to say to me now, Scott?” I asked. Anger and bitterness dripped from my every word.

  Molly stepped up behind me, ready to do battle if I needed it. Feeling her there gave me the courage to ask what I’d always wanted to know.

  “All I want to hear from you, Scott, is why. Why did you do it?”

  “Can we go somewhere and talk? It’s very noisy in here,” he asked, nervously glancing around the room. Danny and Drew had also stopped dancing and come to offer their support.

  “Why don’t we go outside?” suggested Drew, probably trying t
o avoid a situation that could erupt in here. Nodding his head in agreement, we all followed Scott out the front door, to the footpath.

  The lineup of people waiting to get in snaked its way down the side of the building, as everyone eyeing the door, waiting for their chance to get inside, turned our way. Scott was obviously extremely nervous as he kept glancing back at Danny and Molly, his only back up Brenda. I’m not sure if that would help or hinder him.

  “Do you have to have the cavalry with you?” he asked.

  “Yes. You’ve left it this long to talk to me, so you don’t get to set the terms,” I snapped, stopping and turning to look at him. Standing there, shoulders hunched, he looked small and insignificant.

  “What did you ever want from me?” I watched him take a deep breath and slowly let it out.

  “I needed a cover. I knew Brenda was special long before anything ever happened between us but our boss is very religious, as you know. He wouldn’t have given me the promotion I desired if he didn’t think my personal life was up to his standard. As much as Brenda is a magnificent woman, she is divorced and quite a bit older than me. I’m sure you could see my predicament.”

  “No, but keep going.”

  “When you started at the office, all the men were talking about you. You caused quite a stir you know,” he smiled at the memory. “I noticed you straight away and you seemed to have the qualities I was looking for. I thought I could help you transform yourself into the beautiful person you’re capable of being. With some guidance from me, you could have had it all.”

  “I never wanted it all, Scott. You would know that if you ever listened.”

  “Oh, I listened, Elizabeth. And watched. The problem with you is you’re lazy. You could have been my perfect partner if you’d just put in some effort.” His annoyance was starting to show, as his breathing became more rapid and his speech faster.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean, I may never have continued a relationship with Brenda if you had improved yourself.”