Rachel’s dad jumped from the car and opened the boot.
“Hi, Mr Mendoza,” I said.
“Maggie,” he said, with no eye contact.
Rachel hugged me and made the shape of a phone with her finger and thumb as if to say, ‘Call me.’
I nodded and waved them off.
Two healthcare assistants were changing Claudia’s sheets when I arrived at the hospital. “Oh, sorry, miss. We’re running a little late today – staff cuts.”
The way they lifted and threw her about reminded me of the butchers handling a slab of meat.
“Hey, be careful.” I rushed to Claudia’s side.
“It’s okay, she can’t feel it,” the younger of the two said.
“That’s not the point – just be a bit nicer, or I’ll complain.”
I noticed an angry look flash between them as they continued the job in hand. They left soon after.
“Idiots,” I said, shoving the door closed behind them.
I pulled the chair up beside Claudia and told her all the news. I considered not breaking the news about Sandy, but figured it was good practice for when I had to tell her for real. When I ran out of things to say, I rummaged through a pile of magazines I’d found in the day room and chose the newest ones, which were still over three years old, and I read aloud until the light changed and I could no longer see the words.
Reluctantly dragging myself to my feet, I kissed Claudia on the cheek. “I’m off now, Claudia, but I’ll be back first thing in the morning,” I whispered.
I was so tired. If I thought I’d get away with it, I’d curl up on the armchair and stay the night, but I knew the nurses wouldn’t allow that. I headed to the bus stop.
When home, I made some toast and trudged upstairs for an early night. After what felt like hours, I reached for my phone and logged into Facebook. Claudia must’ve disconnected the internet after I left for London, and I didn’t have much data on my phone, so I hadn’t been online for a few days. I was surprised by a series of alerts.
My stomach flipped to see I’d been tagged in several posts – it reminded me of the last time this had happened and all the nasty messages I’d received from my so-called mates. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself and tapped on the most recent message.
‘Wonderful weekend with my bestie. So glad you’re back in town, Maggie.’
My cheeks grew hot, and tears pricked my eyes. I was grateful and relieved for her kind words. I checked the rest of the messages, and they were equally lovely. It was such a nice feeling, knowing I was no longer alone in the world, but I wouldn’t allow my guard down just yet.
I lay back down, feeling hopeful. She was all I had left from my past, and I needed her more than I cared to admit.
The next few days flew by, and on Wednesday, I left the hospital early to buy some groceries ready for Caroline coming to stay. Claudia was still the same, and I could tell by the doctor’s face he was also a little confused why she wasn’t responding the way they predicted.
Loaded down with shopping bags, I slammed the taxi door shut and fumbled in my pocket for my door key. The cab drove away, and another vehicle pulled into the vacant space. I glanced behind me, and my insides dropped to the pavement.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I said under my breath and braced myself for a fight as one of Kenny’s crazy sisters stepped from the car.
“Hello, Maggie,” the woman sneered.
“Listen, I’m really not in the mood. Just leave.”
“Leave? Now why on earth would I do that?”
“Because you’re not welcome around here, that’s why.”
“Tough. I live here.” She stormed past me and let herself into number eleven.
Gobsmacked, I stared at her retreating back and then at the firmly closed front door.
30
I couldn’t believe it.
All this time, Kenny’s sister had been living next door, and it suddenly all made sense. This woman and her nasty sister had warned me at the court that they’d make me pay, and, it seemed, they hadn’t just been spouting hot air like Claudia had insisted.
Stunned, I picked up my bags that had somehow landed on the ground at my feet. I headed inside. I didn’t know what to do. I would have reached out to Donna, or Matt, a few weeks ago, but it seemed she’d taken all my support structure away, one-by-one.
Another thought struck me. She’d seen Rachel at the weekend, so she would know I had another friend. What if she tried to get to her? Reaching for my phone, I called Rachel and exhaled loudly when she answered.
“Are you okay, Maggie?”
“I am now, Rach. I just had an awful thought.”
“What about? About me?”
“That woman you saw at number eleven…”
“Yeah, what about her?”
“She’s only one of Kenny’s nasty sisters.”
Rachel gasped. “Has she done anything to you?”
“No, not really. But I think I may be wrong about Jake Stuart. I think she could be the one who’s terrorizing me.”
“I’ll be right over.” The phone went dead in my ear.
Rachel was banging on the front door half an hour later. I let her in, and she glanced at the pile of groceries still lying where I’d dropped them in the hall.
“I forgot about that lot. I’ll have to put it all away before Caroline arrives.”
“Caroline? Oh, your friend from London?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it’s Matt’s funeral tomorrow.”
“Of course. So, what are you going to do about the bitch next door?”
“What can I do?”
“It’s your house! You can kick her out to start with.”
“I don’t know if it will be that easy – she signed a twelve-month lease.”
“So, you can’t force her to move out?”
“I won’t know until tomorrow – the rental agency will be closed now.”
“Call the police, then. Even dick’ead Jake will have to admit this is a strange coincidence.”
“I’m not calling him. No way do I want to see his smarmy face around here again – he puts the wind up me.”
“What if I asked my dad to be here? Jake wouldn’t be horrible to you with an adult around.”
I considered her suggestion, but I wasn’t keen. Her dad didn’t like me. “I’ll have a think about it. Come on, give me a hand to put this lot away, and I’ll make us a nice cuppa.”
Ten minutes later, we were back in the lounge, two mugs of instant latte cooling on the coffee table.
“So, you think this woman may be responsible for killing Sandy?”
“Not just Sandy. I think she’s done away with everyone I care about in order to repay me for killing her brother.”
“Really? Then you defo need to call the cops. It might be you she turns on next.” Rachel patted my knee.
“Or you.”
She gasped. “Is that what the phone call was about? You were checking I was still alive?”
“I know I sound like a paranoid schizo, but I’m flipping petrified she’ll get to you – you’re the only person I’ve got left.”
Rachel hitched herself up on the sofa beside me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders, pulling my head tight against hers. “I don’t think you’re a schizo, but I do think we need to tell someone. If you’re right, God knows what she’ll do next.”
“Okay, I’ll call the agency tomorrow and see if I have any way of evicting her, and then, when the funeral’s out the way, I’ll call the police station. But I would prefer it if your dad was here. Do you think he’ll mind?” I figured any adult was better than nobody.
“Not if he thinks I might be in danger – you know what he and Mum are like with anything to do with me.”
“Yeah, but this will make them hate me more, I bet you.”
“Who cares? And anyway, they don’t hate you – they’re just over protective of me.”
“So, when you tell them that someone is attacking
and killing anyone I’m close to, how do you think they’ll react?”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Oh, shit! When you put it like that…”
We laughed our arses off.
“Maybe I’ll ask him not to tell my mum, or she’ll have me locked up.”
“Good plan.”
Someone knocked at the door, and I jumped. I grasped hold of Rachel’s hand, my heart racing.
“It’s okay. Won’t it be your friend?”
I breathed out, trying hard to calm myself down. I got to my feet and took several deep breaths before heading to the front door.
Caroline launched herself at me as soon as I appeared on the doorstep.
“Whoa!” I laughed as she spun me around, squealing and fussing over me.
“It’s so good to see you.”
“Aw, you too, Caz.” I was touched by how excited she seemed. We’d been friends, of course, but I wasn’t sure if she actually liked me or if she’d just put up with me for the sake of a quiet life, seeing as we lived together.
When we had settled down, I hugged Agnes and Fred, who were standing beside the car, each holding one of Caroline’s bags.
“Hi, are you coming in for a bit?”
“We won’t, if you don’t mind. We need to find the hotel, and then, we’re meeting up with James a little later to discuss the details for tomorrow. Shall we pick you both up on the way to the crematorium in the morning?”
“Please. What time?”
“The service is at ten-thirty, but we will need to find it, so say, nine, nine-thirty to give us plenty of time?”
“Perfect, we’ll be ready.”
We waved them off before I showed Caroline inside.
31
“Hi.” Rachel jumped to her feet as we entered the lounge.
“Rachel, meet Caroline. Caroline, this is Rachel, the friend I told you all about.”
Caroline nodded, ignoring Rachel’s offered hand.
“I’ll leave you to it. You must have a lot of catching up to do.” Rachel picked up her jacket from the back of the chair.
“Don’t be silly. Why don’t you stay for tea?”
“I called my dad, and he’s on his way. Nice to meet you though, Caroline.”
Surprised by the frosty energy passing between them, I walked Rachel out to the street.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
She nodded. “Yeah, of course. I’ve got heaps of homework to do. You’re lucky.”
“That’s all right, then. I’ll text you tomorrow when I’ve heard from the agent.” I cocked my head to number eleven.
“Don’t forget.” She set off walking down the street.
“Hey, where are you going? Your dad’s not here yet.”
“I told him I’d start walking. Don’t worry. He’ll only be a few minutes.”
A feeling of dread settled in my stomach. “Come back in, Rach. I don’t like the thought of you walking; it’s almost dark.”
“Go on in,” she hissed, over her shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”
I watched until she turned the corner before reluctantly going back inside.
“She seems nice,” Caroline said as I entered.
“Liar.” I grinned. “It was obvious you didn’t like her.”
“Oops. And there was I thinking I’d pulled it off.”
I laughed. “Just don’t take up acting.”
“I was surprised to see her here after everything you told me about her. The way she gave you the flick when you needed her the most.”
“Yeah, I know. She’s apologised for that, though.”
Caroline looked at me over the top of her glasses. “That’s okay, then.”
“Shut up, you snarky cow.” I shoved her, and we both set off giggling again.
“Nah, seriously, Caz. She’s gutted for treating me so badly, and I’ve been grateful for her friendship – you won’t believe what’s been going on around here.”
“Spill?” She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet underneath her bottom.
I shook my head. “I don’t want to go into it now – can we wait until after tea?”
“Tea? I don’t drink tea.”
“Dinner. You know what I mean.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
She grinned. “What are we ’avin’ fer tea?” she asked, in the worst Mancunian accent I’d ever heard.
It used to annoy me when she took the mick out of me, but this time, it made me feel warm and fuzzy. I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed her. “Erm, shall we have some eggs and kippers, or do you fancy apples and pears?”
She could hardly breathe for laughing, which caused me to join in.
“It wasn’t that funny!” I said between pants.
“It was. You just said we’d have slippers and stairs for dinner in cockney rhyming slang!”
The tears rolled down my cheeks, and I struggled to breathe. It felt so good to laugh. Properly laugh.
“Come on, let’s make dinner,” I said, when we’d calmed down. “I’ve bought all the ingredients for tacos – I know that’s your favourite.”
“Ooh, yummy.”
Standing in the small backyard, I could watch everything that bitch and her silly friend were doing. I was less than six feet away from them, and yet, they didn’t have a clue I was there.
It annoyed me how relaxed they seemed. Maggie deserved all she had coming to her.
I hocked up a ball of phlegm and spat it at the window. They both stopped giggling for a second as they turned to see what had caused the soft tap, then they turned back to face each other and continued with their incessant chatter.
32
“Do you know where the Manchester Crematorium is?” Agnes asked as we climbed into the back of their rental car.
I winced. “I’ve been, but apart from a general direction, I don’t remember how to get there.”
“Never mind. We have this gadget, but we can’t get it working.” She indicated a sat nav on the dash.
“Oh, I can work it. Give it here.”
Within a couple of seconds, we were headed towards Chorlton-cum-Hardy, an area on the opposite side of Manchester.
Agnes filled us in on the details her son, James, had given her. “The police think Matt and his girlfriend must have stumbled on a druggie. Apparently, the canal they were walking alongside is notorious for it.”
“For what? Murder?”
“No. For drug deals and muggings and stuff.”
“So, they don’t have any suspects?”
“Apparently not.”
It surprised me the police hadn’t told Matt’s family I was a suspect. I hadn’t told anybody, except Rachel, but I’d expected it to all come out. I hadn’t told Caroline yet, but I promised I’d fill her in after the funeral. It bothered me that Jake hadn’t let me know I was off the hook – the last I heard was I shouldn’t leave the area.
My heart hammered as we pulled into the crematorium car park. I hadn’t expected to recognise it. I’d been in such a daze on the day of my mother’s funeral. I wanted to turn and run. Caroline seemed to pick up on my fear. She linked her arm through mine and gave me an encouraging smile.
As we approached the front of the beautiful old chapel, the palpitations in my chest were becoming difficult to disguise. I was taking long deep breaths and felt incredibly light-headed. “I can’t go in,” I whispered to Caroline, unhooking her hand from my elbow.
“We’ll follow you in, Agnes,” Caroline called. “Save our seats.”
Agnes turned, her eyebrows furrowed. “Are you okay, Maggie?”
I nodded. “I’m fine. You go in.”
Caroline led me back towards the car park, stopping at a wooden bench.
“You go in, Caz. I don’t want you to miss it.”
“I’m fine out here. I didn’t really know him anyway. I only came to support you.”
“Really? Oh, that’s so sweet.”
“Hey, I don’t do sweet.” She nudged my ribs with her elbow. “Are
you trying to ruin my street cred?”
“You’re a twit.”
“That’s more like it.”
We sat on the bench, quietly watching hordes of people heading into the chapel. Not surprisingly, I didn’t recognise any of them.
“Was this where your mum was cremated?”
I nodded. “I didn’t think it would bother me, but I just can’t face going in there.”
“We can hold our own service for him, if you like?”
“How?”
“Wait there.”
Caroline headed off towards the chapel, returning after a few seconds, holding two long-stemmed yellow roses. “Come with me.” She handed me one of the roses and pulled me up with her free hand.
We walked down the side of the chapel, into the beautiful gardens at the rear. I noticed several benches with donation plaques.
We stopped just off the path underneath a stunning willow tree. Its sweeping canopy of yellow leaves bent and stretched, teasing the ground like a golden waterfall. We stepped underneath the wispy shelter.
“Is this okay?” Caroline asked.
“It’s lovely. But what should we do?”
She shrugged. “I dunno, maybe say a prayer? Or say what he meant to you and goodbye? It doesn’t have to be out loud.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“I’ll go first, and then, I’ll leave you alone.” She stepped forward and closed her eyes. Then, after a minute or so, she saluted and placed her rose on the grass beside the tree trunk.
I waited until she was out of earshot before I fell to my knees. I hadn’t a clue what to say. “I feel so stupid talking to a tree, but I guess you’d find that hysterical.” Tears filled my eyes, and I tried to blink them away. “I’m sorry I couldn’t face going into the chapel, but I really want you to know, if you’re listening, how much I appreciate all you did for me. You were the most selfless person I’ve ever known, and without you, I don’t know where I’d have ended up.” I placed the rose beside Caroline’s. “Goodbye, my sweet friend. I’ll miss you.” Deep sobs took over my body, and I was powerless to stop them.
Maggie: a gripping psychological thriller Page 13
