<><><>
On the way to Alderley Edge, Henry was burdened to the point of perspiration. He took a tissue from his pocket and dabbed his forehead and upper lip while his mind tossed around the idea of telling Camilla everything, right from swapping messages with Lorie and agreeing to return her clothes, to meeting Amber by chance, then the photos, the cars, the blackmail, the lot. The thought crept in that he might even have to confess that he’d been attracted to Amber. This thought loosened his bowels. The truth was heavy and uncomfortable. Honesty was the right thing for everyone. You’d think. But it was stacked high with risk. Camilla would only welcome the truth if she could deal with it. Henry wasn’t sure she could. And then what?
He was no closer to a decision when he approached the house. He briefly considered turning back before he signalled to turn into the drive. He weaved down the driveway, sick with dread. A police car was the first thing he saw as the house came into view.
‘What the?’
Henry pulled up in his navy Jaguar and got out of the car. He approached the front door and inserted his key in the lock. It wouldn’t turn.
‘What’s going on?’
He rang the bell impatiently and heard Camilla’s clipped footsteps. Then she opened the door. Her face was pale.
‘What do you want, Henry?’
‘You haven’t responded to my texts, so I came to talk to you. Why have you changed the locks? And what are the police doing here?’
‘We’ve been burgled,’ she said in a small voice. ‘I had the locks changed this morning because there was no sign of a break in.’
‘Burgled? When? There’s nothing much to take.’
‘I’m in the middle of something, Henry. Two police officers have just arrived. I can’t keep them waiting.’ Camilla walked down the hall and Henry followed. There was only one downstairs room which still had furniture, so Henry wasn’t surprised to follow Camilla into Naomi’s old piano room where there were a few chairs. Sitting on two of them were a couple of young officers in uniform.
Camilla said, ‘This is PC Shearing and . . .’ she tapped her forehead.
The girl stood up and stepped forward. ‘PC Marshall.’
Henry nodded in greeting. ‘So what’s been taken?’
Camilla jumped in. ‘I want to wrap this up as soon as possible, Henry, because I have things to do and I’d like you to leave. Basically, the room that used to be Lorie’s has emptied. I believe she’s been back to take her stuff. Then I went into the garden this morning and I noticed that the door on the treehouse was swinging open. When I looked up, my axe was lodged in the door. I climbed the ladder and found that someone had smashed into the walls inside, causing a lot of damage. I’m guessing that someone was Lorie.’
Henry was speechless.
The two police officers exchanged a glance.
Camilla continued, ‘So if you’ll show one of them where the treehouse is, I can do a bedroom tour, though there’s nothing much to see, and then they can be on their way.’
Camilla wasn’t making eye contact with anyone, which was a bad sign. Henry didn’t speak, so Camilla turned. ‘Can one of you follow me upstairs?’
PC Shearing stood up and followed Camilla out of the door and Henry found himself alone with PC Marshall.
No one spoke for a few seconds.
‘You look shocked,’ she commented.
‘Mm.’
In a small voice, she said, ‘Do you believe Lorie Taylor got in the house to get her clothes and then smashed up the treehouse?’
Henry hesitated for an age. He hadn’t prepared for this. Eventually he sighed and said, ‘No, I don’t.’
‘Why’s that?’
Henry delayed a response again. ‘You’re asking me to disclose things even my wife doesn’t know about yet.’
‘Why doesn’t she know?’
‘They’re new things to me, some of them. I came here to talk to her – to try to straighten things out. I’d just like to be given the chance to talk to my wife alone.’
PC Marshall tightened her ponytail and fiddled with an earring, a tiny silver stud. ‘We’ve had a formal call out, which we can’t ignore. Give us a reason to leave and we’ll get out of your way.’
Henry stuffed his hands inside his pocket. ‘Look, months ago, I heard Nathan and Naomi talking in the treehouse. It was late one night. I went out there to talk to her, but I didn’t want to intrude. She sent me back into the house. I thought they were sorting their marriage. I only found out recently that he had a knife to her and was demanding money. Now, please, I’m asking you not to mention this to Camilla until I’ve had a chance to talk to her myself. You really should be thinking about investigating Nathan Stone again.’
Marshall said, ‘Why didn’t Naomi call the police at the time?’
‘That was her choice. She had her reasons. She didn’t give in to Nathan’s demands and then we moved house days later. We left in a hurry. No one knew where we’d gone. It makes perfect sense that Nathan came back here and took his frustrations out on the treehouse where he expected to meet her again and get his money.’
Marshall swallowed and fiddled with her ponytail again. ‘I see. I don’t see how that explains the missing clothes from the house though.’
‘It doesn’t,’ Henry said. ‘It’s completely unrelated. The clothes are missing from upstairs because I gave them back to Lorie myself.’
‘You did what?’ Camilla shrieked from the doorway.
Henry swung around. He’d been too lost in conversation to hear her approach. Camilla’s eyes were bulging. She was clinging to the doorframe. Shearing was right behind her.
Henry’s legs weakened. ‘Camilla, let me explain.’
Words failed her at first. Camilla held her arms out now, palms upturned. ‘How could you do this to me? To our family?’
‘Camilla, please –’
‘Get out,’ she yelled. ‘All of you. Just leave me alone.’
Camilla turned and ran up the stairs and then a door banged. Henry collapsed into the nearest chair and sunk his head in his hands. The two officers looked at each other and found nothing to say.
‘That’ll be everything,’ Henry said to them. ‘See yourselves out.’
37
‘There’s nothing in the house.’ Annabel was hunting through the fridge, then the freezer. ‘When was the last time anyone went food shopping?’
Naomi shrugged. ‘No one’s been since Mum left.’
Which had been six days. It was Saturday now. She’d refused to come home despite constant begging. Her message was to leave her alone, forget about her. No one knew how best to respond to that, including Henry.
‘Dad should go shopping then,’ Annabel said. ‘I’m back at work. You’re going back to college on Monday. He needs to get on with some domestic stuff. The place is looking a mess.’
Naomi’s phone vibrated silently in her pocket. Annabel went to the utility room where there was another fridge and freezer. Naomi sneaked a look at her message. It was from Dan. Who else? She smiled. She should be feeling awful considering the crap going on at home, but messages flowed constantly from Dan, cushioning her from any negative feelings except guilt. She really should be feeling bad.
I want to see you tonight. I can’t wait any longer. I have something for you. Same place. The Pike. 1.30 a.m.? xxx
Yes!!! I’m with Annie right now! Trying to lose the grin. You’re not helping. Xx
Ooops. Sorry!! Xx
Yeah right! x
‘What are you looking so happy about?’
Naomi pressed send and looked up. ‘Nothing.’
‘Is it Mum?’ she asked, hopefully.
‘No, it’s Siobhan,’ Naomi lied. ‘Just asking how my break has been.’
Annabel had successfully found a yoghurt. She held it up like a trophy and peeled the lid off. ‘I don’t know what there is to smile about. You’ve been in hospital and now Mum’s left. It’s been the worst Easter ever, apart from Joel coming.’
‘I really like him,’ Naomi said, as much to switch the subject as anything.
‘He’s great,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without him.’
‘How long have you two been together?’
‘Let’s see,’ Annabel sighed. Her eyes surveyed the ceiling. ‘We met about a month after I went to Japan. We weren’t together at first, not properly. We’ve known each other about eighteen months now. It was a while before I called him my boyfriend. I never really wanted a boyfriend out there; I went there to work and be young, free and single.’
‘So what happened to that?’
‘Joel’s what happened. And you disappearing. Everything changed after that. I left without even telling Joel, but he followed me back here. Isn’t that sweet? He gave up everything over there for me. He’s been a rock.’
‘You look good together.’
A smile crept over Annabel’s lips. ‘You know he asked me to marry him?’
‘What? When?’
‘Shh. The night before he left here. It was the first night Mum was gone. I was upset, so I went in his room for the night. Don’t tell Dad.’
‘Course I won’t.’
‘Anyway, he started telling me how much he loved me and that he wanted to be there for me, and said there was no one else for him. I’m not into mushy stuff, but I was quite touched. Next thing, he’s on one knee at the side of the bed.’ Annabel chuckled, despite her mood.
‘You’re kidding. What did you say?’
‘What do you think I said? I told him to stand up and stop being an idiot. I’m going to uni in September, then I want to travel and have a career. I’m thinking marriage and kids about ten years from now. Get a grip.’
‘But if you love him –’
‘I don’t have to marry him just because I love him. Look at what happened with you and Nathan.’
‘True, but I’m not going to let it ruin my view of men for the rest of my life.’
‘You’ve changed your tune.’ Annabel dug a small spoon in her yoghurt pot. ‘So what’s happening with Nathan?’
Naomi hesitated for a moment, then confessed, ‘This is top secret, but I’m hoping to meet him at the solicitor’s on Wednesday.’
‘Hoping?’
‘He might not come. I’ve got an appointment. I want Nathan to fill out the forms for an annulment in front of a solicitor. Then the solicitor will deal with it and hopefully it will go to court and be approved soon. I’ve had to offer Nathan some money.’
‘Naomi!’ she shouted.
‘I had to, no choice. Two things to remember: he’s desperate and he’s insane, which gives me some hope. If he signs those papers, he’s virtually admitting he’s been lying, which might reopen the case. I want him in prison where he should be, Annie. I’m not safe while he’s around. No one is.’
Annabel puffed her breath out. ‘And if he takes your money and runs?’
‘Then at least he’ll be on the run and out of my life. At least I won’t be legally bound to him anymore. It’s an improvement.’
‘You’re taking a huge risk. I’d better come with you. I could get the day off work.’
Naomi’s body had been invaded by adrenaline. ‘Thanks, Annie, but no. Anything could make Nathan jittery. I just want him to sign the papers and leave. My guess is he’ll disappear once he gets his money, and then I might have a bit of a case against him. First step, I have to end this marriage.’
‘I don’t like you being there alone with him.’
‘Me neither. My skin literally crawls whenever I’m near him, but I’m safely in a solicitor’s office in broad daylight. I’ll be fine.’
Annabel had finished her yoghurt and had started to load the dishwasher. ‘Don’t mention this to Mum. She can’t take it.’
Naomi stood up to help. ‘Course I won’t. Hopefully, I’ll have some good news for her if I can lure Nathan to the solicitor’s.’
‘Shall I meet you afterwards at least, to walk you to your car?’
‘No, I’ll be OK. I’ll park the car somewhere busy and full of people. I’ll take care.’
‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’ Naomi didn’t respond. ‘So what’re we going to do about Mum and Dad?’
Again, there was nothing much to say.
Annabel added, ‘I reckon we clean this place up a bit, write a shopping list for Dad and go and see if Mum’s alright. You up for that?’
‘Yeah, sure,’ she sighed. ‘I’ve got a load of piano practise to catch up with. It’s my end-of-year recital in a few weeks. Totally stressed about that, but there are more important things.’
‘Correct. Get the vac out while I sort this kitchen.’
<><><>
Henry made it to Hazel Grove fifteen minutes early. He discovered a small car park fifty metres down the road, and slotted into one of three vacant slots. He didn’t know whether or not to wait in the car or turn up early. A few uneasy moments passed where he looked out of the windscreen, his arthritic fingers hurting from the drive. The sky was a variety of dark shades; the blackness would unify it in time. Silky wisps of cloud were strewn about. If there was a man in the moon, it looked as though he’d nibbled the top right corner away.
Henry’s stomach seemed to have lodged in his chest somewhere. His breaths were hampered and were coming out in shallow bursts. His mind was a merry-go-round, a mosaic of painful memories.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and set it to silent, then he pressed the camera icon and shifted his phone to video record and pressed the red dot. He’d record the conversation if there was one, and he’d produce his phone and hold it to her face if she said anything to incriminate herself. It was a feeble plan, but it helped the palpitations. Slightly. In truth, he had no real expectation of meeting Lorie tonight. He suspected she would stand him up and would continue to toy with him undetected from a distance, she the cat, he the mouse, tossing his life around to pass the time until there was nothing left to play with.
Henry got out of the car and cautiously looked around the quiet car park and found no sign of life. There were odd knots of people on the street beyond. He was ready to confront her now, ready to prove to Camilla that Lorie had set him up with Amber. He’d been groping around in the murk of ignorance for too long. Given the chance, he’d fight back.
Having zipped his jacket to the top, Henry checked the time on his Rolex watch. Seven fifty. One last check that his phone was recording and he slid it inside his shirt breast pocket beneath his jacket. It was well hidden.
He strode along the well-lit street, more aware of intrusive thoughts than the street itself. He did notice that the sky was blackening and the air was becoming chilled.
Next thing he knew, he was passing the window of the café, The Lamplight. He entered the door to the jingle of a small bell and nodded to the girl behind the counter, who smiled back.
There was a wrought-iron spiral staircase in front of him beside the counter.
‘I’ll be upstairs,’ he told the girl as he took hold of a slim stair rail that wound along the wall to the top of the stairs.
At the top, there was a choice of left and right. Right forked to a small room at the front, and left led to two rooms in a row, the furthest one of which was through an open archway. He walked through the first room and passed a fireplace, dancing with fairy lights. The ceiling was low and ribbed with dark beams decorated by brass horseshoes and sprays of dried flowers. Through the archway, he found two vacant sofas, one in view of the open arch which was beside a glass fire door, the other tucked away in the corner. Both had low tables in front.
He slumped in the private corner, weak from worry and exhaustion. The girl from behind the counter appeared, pad and pen poised.
‘What can I get for you?’
A life was all he wanted. Not any old life, but his life returned to him, just as it was. Food and drink didn’t sustain him. They passed through and came out the other end and did nothing to calm his anxious heart or rest
his limbs or still the spinning in his head.
‘Just a coffee for now, please.’
‘OK,’ she said, with a modulation to the second syllable. ‘Be right back.’
A few minutes passed. Henry looked at his watch. It was eight p.m. exactly. A man came through the arch and sat on the sofa to his left beside the glass fire door. At first glance, he looked fresh out of work. Smart suit, white shirt, small bag over his shoulder. Henry decided he’d have to move if Lorie arrived. He didn’t want to talk in earshot of anyone else. The guy took an iPad out of his bag and got busy. The waitress returned with two drinks: a coffee for Henry and a colourless drink in a tall glass for the guy on the other sofa. She set the drinks down then left.
Henry lifted his cup in two unsteady hands and started to sip.
‘Women,’ the guy exclaimed. Henry glanced across. The guy was in profile, silently jabbing away on his iPad. He had short fair hair, neatly cut, and an intense stare as he looked at the screen. He looked like the kind of man who’d never encountered a moment of uncertainty. ‘I’ve spent all my life waiting for women.’
Henry wasn’t sure his voice would be reliable. He cleared his throat. ‘I know what you mean. I’m waiting for one now.’
‘She’s down under.’
Silence. ‘I’m sorry? Who’s down under?’
‘Lorie,’ he said, lifting his drink and sipping carefully. ‘Ten thousand miles away isn’t it, Australia? That’s where she is at the moment, touring the south coast.’
Henry was winded. His stomach was in his chest again. ‘You know Lorie?’
‘Very well.’
Henry swallowed. ‘Who are you waiting for? You said you were waiting for a woman.’
‘No I didn’t. I said I’d been waiting for women all my life. It only takes one though, doesn’t it, Henry? That special one, and then the waiting’s over.’
Henry shifted in his seat and his back stiffened. How did this guy know his name? ‘I’m sorry, I’m confused. I was supposed to be meeting Lorie here. If she isn’t coming, I’m going to leave.’
‘You’ll stay,’ he said with the kind of certainty that made Henry’s heart thump.
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