WATCHING YOU_The gripping edge-of-the-seat thriller with a stunning twist.

by Lynda Renham

  ‘What’s happened?’ she asks, looking at me concerned.

  ‘He’s … he’s …’ I stammer.

  Donna sits me down and beckons to a waiter.

  ‘Can we have two brandies please?’

  I slip off my scarf and take a breath.

  ‘He’s made contact. He’s been texting me and sending me photos. He says he’s watching me and he is. He’s taken photos of me and sent them minutes later.’

  I take the brandy from the waitress and sip the liquid, its warmth comforting.

  ‘You’ve told the police, obviously?’

  I nod towards the doors.

  ‘I’ve got a bodyguard. He’s destroyed my career. He sent an email to all my business contacts. I’m surprised you didn’t get it.’

  ‘I did,’ she says sitting back in her seat.

  I stare at her.

  ‘But …’

  ‘I wanted to discuss it with you. I couldn’t believe you would send it. I know how hard you’ve tried to hide your story. It seemed to go against everything I know about you.’

  ‘He hacked into my email account and then sent a virus which destroyed everything I had on my laptop. He’s got all my documents, photos … everything.’

  ‘Jesus,’ says Donna, throwing back the brandy and asking the waitress for more. ‘What are the police doing?’

  I take another sip of brandy and say, ‘He’s in London.’

  ‘Oh Libby,’ she says.

  ‘I told you he would come.’

  I see her hand is shaking as she lifts the glass to her lips.

  ‘I can contact everyone cc’d on that email list. They may believe me. It might get you some contracts back.’

  ‘Would you?’ I ask hopefully.

  ‘Of course,’ she says glancing at the door. ‘Do you know where in London he’s living?’

  I shake my head.

  ‘They won’t tell me.’

  ‘Bastards,’ she says angrily.

  ‘Has Simon contacted you?’ I ask.

  ‘Simon?’

  ‘Do you know if he got an email? I can’t check and … we’re meeting tonight for dinner.’

  She nods.

  ‘I can send him a message. Try to get a feel of whether he did or not.’

  ‘Oh Donna,’ I say, reaching for her hand. ‘I’d be so grateful.’

  She grasps my hand and I see tears well up in her eyes.

  ‘Oh Libby, as if you haven’t been through enough.’

  I cling onto her hand like it’s a life raft.

  ‘I’ll email everyone and I’ll let you know. I’m sure they won’t cancel their contracts once they know the truth. Go out tonight with Simon, enjoy yourself. Don’t think about him. He’ll make a mistake sooner or later and then they’ll get him.’

  ‘Ewan doesn’t make mistakes,’ I say and down the last of my brandy.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Present day

  ‘Dingy,’ said Mike, looking at the house.

  Fran didn’t like London and she particularly didn’t like this area. Mike checked his watch.

  ‘He should be here soon.’

  ‘We should have gone to that nightclub where he’s working,’ said Fran biting her nails.

  Mike turned in his seat to look at her.

  ‘We don’t know it is him harassing Libby. We can’t barge into his place of work. He’s every right to come to London and every right to get a job. It’s a clean slate for him. It’s not for us to bugger that up. If he was to lose his job through us elbowing our way in there without evidence, he could do us. You’ve got to keep an open mind Fran.’

  ‘This bloody heat,’ she complained.

  ‘We’ll get a drink later and sort out a place to stay, with air conditioning.’

  ‘Stay?’ repeated Fran. ‘I didn’t know we were staying overnight.’

  ‘It’s nearly six. By the time we have a drink and dinner it’ll be nine. I’m not driving back unless you want to.’

  She shook her head. Fran would never turn down an evening with Mike.

  ‘There is only one reason and one reason alone that Ewan Galbreith would come to London,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah to find work. Let’s face it, Padley is dead and everyone knew him. Who do you imagine would employ him, apart from his brother-in-law? Maybe he wanted a new start. Libby Owen did.’

  An old Nissan Micra turned the corner and parked in front of them. Fran recognised the man as Ewan. He pulled two shopping bags from the boot and walked to the front door. Mike climbed from the car and called,

  ‘Ewan, okay to have a word?’

  Ewan turned and smiled.

  ‘All the way from Padley,’ he drawled. ‘I’m honoured.’

  ‘He’s not fazed,’ said Fran.

  Ewan turned back to the door, opened it and walked in. Mike looked at Fran.

  ‘I presume that means yes. Let’s go.’

  Ewan was in the kitchen packing away the contents of his carrier bags.

  ‘It’s not air-conditioned I’m afraid,’ he said, opening a window.

  It was clean though, Fran noted.

  ‘Have you been expecting us?’ asked Mike.

  ‘Molly said you’d bullied her for my address.’

  ‘She wasn’t bullied,’ said Fran.

  ‘So, what’s London got to offer that Padley hasn’t?’ asked Mike.

  Ewan laughed.

  ‘That’s a trick question, right?’

  Mike smiled.

  ‘I don’t know where she lives. I don’t care much either. I’m here to work and to get some money. Any other questions?’ said Ewan flatly.

  ‘I don’t want to hassle you. We just have to follow things up, you know how it is. Libby had an email from someone called Every Breath. They sent a photo of you,’ said Mike.

  ‘That’s nice of them. Maybe they thought she’d like one.’

  ‘They hacked her email account.’

  Ewan clicked on the kettle.

  ‘You can’t be too careful opening attachments, can you?’ he said, sucking through his teeth.

  ‘I never said there was an attachment,’ said Mike.

  ‘You don’t get a virus any other way, not as far as I know. Can I offer you guys tea? I learnt how to make a good cuppa in prison.’

  ‘What else did you learn Ewan?’ asked Fran.

  ‘No tea then,’ said Ewan, dropping a teabag into a mug. ‘I didn’t learn about computers if that’s what you’re asking. We weren’t allowed them inside.’

  ‘You must have learnt some things while inside,’ persisted Fran.

  Mike pulled out a chair and sat down.

  ‘I’m not as young as I once was,’ he smiled.

  Ewan stood by the sink, his face expressionless.

  ‘Nice little flat,’ said Mike. ‘Any particular reason you came to London?’

  ‘Any particular reason you want to know?’ replied Ewan. ‘This is beginning to feel a bit like harassment.’

  Fran bit her lip. She’d leave this to Mike.

  ‘Not harassment Ewan. I’m of the mind that when a man has done his time, that’s it, he’s done it. You’ve got as much right as I have to come to London. My problem is that I have someone accusing you of harassment. I have to look into it. I don’t like it. But … you did threaten people in court and now you’re out and one of those people is getting threatening messages …’

  ‘Libby Owen is who you’re talking about,’ said Ewan, his expression hardening.

  Fran saw his lips tighten and recognised the angry young man of fifteen years ago.

  ‘I wouldn’t touch her with a barge pole. It’s more than my freedom is worth and like I said, I know bugger all about computers.’

  Mike nodded and stood up.

  ‘That’s good to hear Ewan. I wouldn’t want to have to come back.’

  ‘It’s a long way from Padley,’ Ewan grinned, opening the door.

  *

  ‘I don’t believe him,’ Fran said as they sat in
the car.

  ‘I do,’ he said. ‘You’re too taken up with Libby Owen. I don’t believe Galbreith is stupid enough. You need to look elsewhere. It isn’t him.’

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Five years earlier

  Belmarsh prison

  Leon Lapotaire was determined to stay out of trouble. He’d got ten years for fraud and he had decided he was going to get out in six. So when he went to clean out the showers and found shit strewn all over one of them, he had to make a choice, clean it up or refuse to. He chose to clean it up. He knew there were a couple of bastards who had a problem with a black man getting out early. He wasn’t going to let them fuck it up for him. If it meant cleaning up shit, then that’s what he’d do.

  ‘Shit yourself again, black boy,’ someone yelled.

  There was laughter. He ignored it and carried on mopping. The shower stank. It would take him longer today. He couldn’t lose it. Leon Lapotaire was a big man. He enjoyed exercise. Men knew to take him on would be suicide. They also knew he was determined to get out. It was common knowledge that you could push him to the limit and he wouldn’t retaliate. Not now, not with his appeal so close.

  Ewan Galbreith watched as the men ridiculed Leon. He knew better than to get involved. He had his own appeal coming up. He walked into his cell and picked up the amateur dramatics society script he’d been studying and covered his ears with headphones.

  The same thing happened every day and by Friday Leon had had enough. Three showers were covered in shit and his temper was rising.

  ‘Do you need someone to plug up that shitty hole of yours,’ yelled Fat Diamond.

  Leon turned to face him.

  ‘I’ve a good mind to smash that fat fucking face of yours in the bog,’ snarled Leon.

  ‘Yeah, come and do it then?’

  A small group formed around Fat Diamond, and Ewan, seeing it from his room, sauntered out. He sighed. Leon took a step towards the group as Ewan walked through it.

  ‘What are you doing Leon? Don’t let this scum get to you.’

  ‘Who are you calling scum, Galbreith? The only scum in this place is you.’

  Ewan ignored them and met Leon’s eyes.

  ‘It’s three weeks before your appeal. Don’t mess it up. Don’t let them rankle you.’

  Leon cracked his knuckles and took a step back.

  ‘Do you need a hand?’ Ewan asked nodding at the shitty showers.

  ‘Nah,’ said Leon. ‘Thanks mate.’

  ‘Aw, ain’t that sweet,’ mocked Fat Diamond.

  The men laughed.

  ‘Why don’t you two lovebirds have some fun while we watch?’

  Ewan felt something snap inside him. The bastard had been tormenting Leon for weeks and everyone let him get away with it.

  ‘Ewan,’ warned Leon, but it was too late.

  Ewan already had Fat Diamond by the throat. The other men moved forward but Leon’s stare held them back.

  ‘You shut that filthy mouth of yours once and for all or I’ll have to ram your teeth down your throat so you won’t be able to talk,’ Ewan snarled.

  Fat Diamond struggled to free himself, but Ewan Galbreith was strong and determined. He lifted his knee and rammed it hard into Galbreith’s groin. The men cheered as Ewan groaned and staggered back.

  ‘Ewan,’ said Leon stepping forward.

  ‘Stay out of it,’ snapped Ewan.

  ‘Fucking shirt lifter,’ laughed Fat Diamond. ‘You ain’t got a shotgun now, so what you going to do?’

  He laughed and turned to the group surrounding them. They laughed with him, but no one came forward.

  ‘I’m going to ram that head of yours in the shit you threw in the shower,’ said Ewan grabbing Fat Diamond around the throat with one hand and his groin with the other. Fat Diamond fought for release, but he was too unfit for Ewan. He called to the men around him, but they just stared, too afraid to take on Ewan and Leon. Fat Diamond was dragged into the shower. Leon walked out and closed the door behind him, moving quietly onto the next shower.

  The men waited until Leon was out of the way before opening the door. Fat Diamond was squirming under Ewan’s grip. Ewan wrinkled his nose and pushed Fat Diamond’s face into the faeces, feeling him wretch.

  ‘Don’t make a bigger mess you fat pussy. It’s you that’s going to clear it up.’

  The men laughed and releasing Diamond roughly Ewan turned to face them.

  ‘Anyone else?’ he asked.

  The men backed away, disgusted at Fat Diamond’s sobs.

  ‘You’d better clean this up,’ barked Ewan, throwing him a mop. He turned to leave the shower as the prison wardens barged in. Ewan sighed and held up his hands.

  ‘Didn’t you have an appeal coming up?’ smiled the warden.

  ‘Fuck you,’ said Ewan.

  Leon watching from the doors of the shower gave Ewan the thumbs up and Ewan smiled.

  ‘I owe you one,’ said Leon.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Present day

  Libby

  Fran had phoned to say that my laptop was with an IT expert but that she didn’t hold out much hope of them being able to restore it. I’ll need to buy a new one. I’ve already bought a new phone. What else can he destroy? ‘Your life,’ whispers a voice in my head. I fight the urge to drink some wine. Simon will be here soon. I don’t want him smelling alcohol on my breath. The last thing I feel like is food. Ewan has ruined my appetite even though Donna had got half of my contracts back. But only half, which means Ewan has won.

  ‘We’re on our way back from London,’ Fran had said on the phone.

  ‘You saw him?’

  ‘Yes, he denies contacting you. His words were he wouldn’t touch you with a barge pole.’

  ‘You believe him?’

  ‘My colleague does. I’m not so sure. Have you got your bodyguard?’

  ‘Why? Do you think I need one?’ I ask anxiously.

  ‘I never said that, Libby.’

  ‘Yes, I have.’

  ‘Good.’

  I don’t mention that I’d cancelled him tonight. I’ll be perfectly safe with Simon. Ewan wouldn’t dare approach us. He won’t want witnesses. The buzzer sounds making me jump. I push the intercom.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Mr Wane is here.’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll come down.’

  I slip my wrap around my shoulders and pick up my bag. I need to pull myself together. Simon is waiting in the foyer and smiles on seeing me.

  ‘You look nice,’ he says.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’ve got a cab waiting.’

  ‘Donna said you’ve been having a bit of trouble,’ he says as we drive off.

  ‘I’ve hired a personal bodyguard.’

  He looks out of the cab’s rear window.

  ‘Not tonight.’ I smile. ‘Where’s the restaurant?’ I ask, trying not to sound anxious.

  ‘I’ve booked a Chinese restaurant in Stratford. It was recommended, and I tried it last week. It’s very good.’

  ‘Oh right,’ I say.

  ‘It’s also safe.’

  He senses my anxiety and I feel embarrassed.

  ‘I’ll protect you,’ he says with a smile and something about his confidence reassures me. I turn to look at him. His blue eyes meet mine.

  ‘Where in Yorkshire are you from?’ I ask.

  ‘Ripon,’ he says without hesitation.

  I nod. The cab stops outside a restaurant. It looks tacky and cheap. It’s the last place I want to have dinner, but I don’t want to seem a snob.

  ‘I hope this is okay,’ Simon says. ‘The food is really good.’

  ‘It’s great,’ I lie.

  *

  The waiter takes my wrap and I place my handbag on the chair next to me. I can see the rape alarm at the top pf the bag and feel strangely comforted. The waiter gives us menus and takes our drink order. I ask for a large white wine.

  ‘The duck here is very good, if you fancy sharing a starte
r?’ says Simon.

  ‘Sounds great.’

  I choose a Chow Mein dish for the main course and force myself to relax. Simon said he would protect me and I believe him. The wine arrives, and I take a large gulp. Simon sits back in his chair.

  ‘Has he bothered you again?’ he asks. His body is relaxed while mine is like a tightly wound spring.

  ‘Yes … I … I don’t want to bore you.’

  I brush my hair from my face and feel his eyes on me. His stare makes me uncomfortable, but I don’t know why.

  ‘Where did you say you lived?’ I ask.

  I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m suspicious of everyone and everything. He laughs but his eyes are serious.

  ‘I hope you will be able to relax with me Libby,’ he says.

  I feel myself blush.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I say.

  ‘I have a flat in Knightsbridge, not far from Harrods.’

  The waiter brings the duck and the sight of it restores my dwindling appetite.

  ‘I have a house in Padley, Cornwall,’ I say picking up my wine glass and realising I’ve already drained it.

  ‘I’ll order another,’ he says, finishing his beer.

  ‘The house where the murder happened?’ he asks after ordering our drinks.

  I nod. The waiter brings the wine and I sip at it. I’m drinking it way too fast and my head is already fuzzy.

  ‘I’m thinking of selling it.’

  He sits forward, his eyes glistening with interest.

  ‘It’s been empty for fifteen years. The gardens will be overgrown and the house in a terrible state …’ I trail off.

  ‘I could look it over for you,’ he says. ‘I know about property. I can tell you what it’s worth in its present condition.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ I say doubtfully.

  The thought of going back to Manstead cripples me, especially now that Ewan is out.

  ‘It needs clearing. I just don’t think …’

  ‘With someone to help you wouldn’t it be easier?’

  ‘I …’

  ‘I’m happy to help, just let me know.’

  I play with my duck before saying,

  ‘I was planning on visiting William and Caroline at the weekend. I didn’t want to go to the house, but …’