Psychological Thriller Series: Adam Stanley Boxed Set: Behind Shadows, Positively Murder and Mind Bender

by Netta Newbound

  He smiled. A perfect day for a picnic.

  He'd arranged to pick up Amanda and the children at 11.30am, which would give him plenty of time to get his head down for a couple of hours.

  He'd pre-ordered a picnic hamper from the local deli, ensuring there would be a variety of foods and goodies for the children.

  Being new to London, he hadn't a clue where to take a young family for a day out. Amanda chose the location, Clapham Common.

  Thankfully, he would be able to focus on the day, now Melissa was off the streets.

  He slid between the sheets and glanced at the clock—5.43am. Setting the alarm for 10am, would give him four hours sleep and time to shower, pick up the picnic hamper and get to Amanda's on time.

  ***

  Amanda opened her eyes and sprang out of bed in one fluid movement, and raced down the hallway. She dropped to the bathroom floor and skidded the last few inches on her knees, projectile vomiting into the bowl.

  After a few minutes of retching, she rolled onto her bottom and reached for a towel to wipe her mouth.

  The thumping of tiny feet along the hallway told her at least one of the children was up. With a final glance at the toilet bowl, she got to her feet and went in search of the children.

  Jacob sat in the middle of his tiny bedroom, bottom in the air, head on the street mat. He made a brrruuummmm-ing sound as he pushed a car along the road.

  "Good morning, Jaky. You're up early." Amanda crouched beside her youngest child.

  At almost two years old, Jacob happily lived in his sister’s shadow. However, his own personality was beginning to emerge and he was obsessed with cars. He'd recently made the transition from cot to bed and after a few teething problems, had settled down well.

  Jacob loved his sleep, and this was the first time he'd woken before Emma. Amanda relished the few moments they had alone.

  "What have you got there, Jaky?"

  "Car." He held it up for her inspection.

  "Ooh, that's a flash, blue car. Look at those yellow stripes."

  "Stipes." He inspected the car, placing one pudgy finger along the stripe.

  "Yes, that's right, baby. Stripes."

  Amanda groaned and rubbed her stomach, tipping her head back as a sigh escaped. What the hell was wrong with her? She must have eaten something dodgy.

  "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy."

  Emma broke the peace and quiet as she ran from her room.

  "In here, Em."

  She burst into the room, a mass of blonde curls and pink pyjamas. "Are we going yet?"

  "Going where?"

  "Our picanic."

  Amanda groaned again. If her stomach didn't settle, they wouldn't be going anywhere. "Not for ages yet. You need your breakfast first."

  “Yay! Chuckie eggs?"

  Sandra had got them into eating boiled eggs, mashed in a cup, with toast soldiers.

  "I suppose. Would you like eggs too, Jaky?"

  Jacob nodded as he rummaged through his upturned toy-box.

  "Okeydokey, let’s change your nappy first then, mister."

  Potty training was to be their next mission.

  A couple of hours later Amanda was still feeling queasy, although, not as bad. She couldn't understand it. She'd eaten nothing out of the ordinary and the kids were fine, which probably ruled out a stomach bug. The last time she felt like this was …

  She gasped.

  Placing her hands on either side of her on the sofa, she froze for a moment then leapt to her feet, racing to the kitchen.

  A calendar the kids had made at day-care hung on the fridge door. She trailed a finger down the dates and gasped again.

  "No …" she shook her head.

  "No. I can't be …"

  Dazed, she sat down at the table. Her throat had thickened and she struggled to swallow.

  It didn't make sense—they'd been careful. She suddenly remembered a broken condom and she froze. This was all she needed.

  Adam was due within the hour. How would she be able look at him now? Maybe she should cancel. But he would have gone to a lot of trouble to prepare a picnic for them all. She couldn't do that to him. No—she'd have to just go along with it.

  The children were playing in Emma's bedroom and were having a wonderful time if the bumps and laughter were anything to go by.

  Mary was in the bathroom getting ready.

  Rummaging around in the fridge drawer, Amanda found a hunk of ginger, the only thing that managed to settle her stomach during her last two pregnancies. She proceeded to grate the ginger to make a tea.

  By the time Adam arrived, she felt almost human again.

  "Are you okay? You look a little peaky." Adam pulled her into his arms in the small hallway, burying his face in her neck.

  "Think I might be sickening for something. Don't get too close."

  "I don't mind sharing your germs." He smiled. "Are you ready?"

  "Yes. The kids have been ready for hours." She laughed. "Adam's here. Come on, you lot," she called up the stairs.

  Mary appeared at the top of the stairs. "Hi, Adam." She smiled, before suddenly being pushed aside by two tearaways.

  "Calm down, calm down. Someone will get hurt.” Amanda took a few steps and grabbed both children by the arms, escorting them down the final steps.

  "Are we going on a picanic now?" Emma squealed.

  "We sure are, kiddo.” Adam ruffled her hair.

  "A picanic," Jacob babbled.

  "Yes, Jacob. A picanic—picnic." He laughed. "They've got me at it now."

  Chapter 33

  Gavin was glad to be back in his own clothes.

  The prison guard opened an envelope and asked him to sign for the contents—his watch, wedding ring and a handful of loose change. He wouldn't get far on £5.65p. His house key wasn't even there.

  He didn't care, all he needed was to get out of there as soon as possible, and he’d deal with the rest later.

  The guard escorted Gavin through several security gates until he stepped out onto the street. As the final gate closed behind him, he sighed, leaning against the stone wall of the prison, while he tried to catch his breath and think about his next move.

  He turned at the sound of footsteps running towards him.

  "Dad!" Yvonne cried as she launched herself into his arms.

  "Hey, hey." He held his arms out to the side, before slowly wrapping them around his daughter.

  He hadn't been sure what his reception would be, but he hadn't expected this.

  Keith crossed over the road in front of them.

  Gavin nodded a greeting.

  Keith’s smile was tight-lipped.

  That’s more like it, Gavin thought.

  "You're so thin, Dad. Are you okay?" Yvonne asked.

  "I'll be better when I get home. Do you have a door key?"

  "I do, and I bought groceries. We stayed at yours last night."

  They began walking—shuffling really. Yvonne held him so tight he struggled to move any faster. Keith led the way to the car.

  "Have you seen your mother?"

  "They won't allow visitors, but they're saying she's lost her mind. She's been sectioned."

  He nodded.

  "I told Keith she wasn't right in the head, didn't I, Keith?"

  Keith nodded.

  "But I didn't think she'd be capable of murder. Did you?" Yvonne jabbered on.

  Gavin sighed, before nodding once again. "I guessed."

  "Is that the reason you confessed?"

  He shrugged. "I didn't want her in trouble. My actions drove her to it, after all."

  They reached the car and Yvonne jumped into the back seat leaving Gavin to sit in the front beside Keith, who hadn't even looked at him since that first semi-smile. Keith buckled his belt and started the car.

  "I've been researching your condition." Yvonne continued. "They're making massive inroads lately. I'm sure it won't be long before they find a cure."

  Gavin faced forward, not responding. Fuck—he'd just
got out of prison. What he needed was a full English breakfast and a pot of tea, not a full and frank discussion about HIV—especially not with his eldest daughter and her toffee-nosed, opinionated husband.

  However, Yvonne wasn't deterred.

  "Yes. They've had some sort of breakthrough with a drug combination. I can't remember what, but I intend to find out all about it for you."

  "That's nice." He nodded.

  "Stella and Tina are on their way back too. They'll be able to help you with the other thing, you know, the gay thing."

  "Whoa, back the bus up. I'm not gay."

  "Bisexual then—same difference."

  "It is not!" he said, fear clutching his gut. He thought the worst thing was being in prison. How would he cope with everyone knowing his secret?

  He already missed the seclusion of his prison cell.

  Chapter 34

  All bundled into the car, the kids chattering ten-to-the dozen, Adam glanced at Amanda.

  She certainly wasn't her normal self. Not only because of the way she looked, but the stiff way she held herself and the troubled expression in her eyes.

  His first thought was Andrew.

  If Andrew had been in touch, Adam would be the last person she'd confide in.

  She caught his glance and smiled at him, sighing deeply.

  You okay? He mouthed.

  She nodded, the smile still fixed in place.

  The park heaved with families, seemingly with the same intention. They walked for fifteen minutes until they reached the bandstand in the centre of the park.

  "Here okay?" Adam asked, dropping the bags and taking the French loaf from under his arm.

  Amanda shrugged. "Good a place as any."

  "You sure?" He knew she didn't like crowds, but she seemed to be coping all right.

  "Sure." She shook out the blanket and straightened the corners on the grass.

  Adam prayed the children would like the food. He'd ordered a mixed hamper. He wasn't disappointed. They had chicken nibbles, cold meats, pork pie, cocktail sausages, pasta salad, coleslaw, ready-made sandwiches, watermelon and strawberries. Plus two bottles of sparkling grape juice.

  "Wow!" Amanda said as she sat down beside him.

  Adam smiled. "I did good?"

  "You did flippin' brilliant."

  "I want ice-cream," Jacob said.

  "You would, mister. Eat some lunch first." She handed him a sausage.

  He popped the whole thing into his mouth.

  Emma laughed and did the same.

  "Emma, use your manners, please." Amanda shook her head and rolled her eyes at Adam.

  Mary handed them each a paper plate.

  Afterwards, Emma and Jacob chased each other around the bandstand. Mary stayed close by watching they didn't venture too far.

  "That was delicious, thank you," Amanda said.

  "Confession time."

  She raised her eyebrows. "Go on."

  "I didn't make it. I bought it ready made." He braced himself, a small smile playing on his lips.

  "I know that already."

  "How?" His shoulders fell.

  "Der … every item had a sticker underneath saying Coles Deli."

  "So I didn't convince you for a minute?"

  "Not for a second." She laughed. "But that doesn't mean I wasn't impressed all the same."

  "You didn't eat much."

  "Got a funny tummy today. Sorry."

  "We could have postponed till another day."

  "Then what would you have done with all this food?"

  "You have a point. I would probably have taken it into the station—that horrible lot would have devoured it in seconds."

  "Anyway, I enjoyed myself—I enjoy spending time with you.

  "Me too." He squeezed her hand, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and taste those juicy pink lips of hers. But she didn't want any displays of affection in front of the children, which was fair enough. They'd have the whole evening together.

  "So tell me how you're getting on with your case."

  "All solved." He shrugged one nonchalant shoulder.

  "Solved?" She squeaked. "And?"

  "Like I said—he was innocent."

  "You're joking. So … who?"

  "I shouldn't say, really, but I'm sure the media will know the whole story by now. The killer was his wife."

  "His wife?" she repeated, her mouth agape. "Why?"

  "You need to ask google if you want any more." He laughed.

  "Aw! Tell me."

  He heaved a sigh. "Let's just say her motives were admirable. However, her actions weren't."

  "Like Andrew?" Her blue eyes saddened.

  "I guess." He nodded and squeezed her hand once again.

  "Can we get an ice-cream now, Mummy?" Emma huffed, bending over beside them to catch her breath, her hands on her knees.

  Mary approached with Jacob in her arms. She looked as though she might snap in half with the sheer weight of him.

  "Tell you what, Amanda," Adam said, getting to his feet. "You take them for ice-cream and I'll get this little lot back to the car, then we can go for a walk. There's supposed to be a pond here somewhere."

  ***

  With Jacob back in his pushchair, they ordered three ice-creams and found a bench to wait for Adam.

  Mary seemed more reserved than usual and her ice-cream was fast-melting down her arm.

  "Getting in a mess there, honey?" Amanda laughed.

  Mary smiled and held the ice-cream out to Amanda. "Do you want some?"

  "No, thanks, I'm stuffed. Have you had enough?"

  She sighed and nodded, licking the melted ice-cream from her fingers.

  "Here, hang on." Amanda stood and took the cone from her, then dropped it into the almost overflowing rubbish bin. With her other hand, she rummaged in her handbag for a tissue. "Here you go, love."

  Mary took the tissue and wiped her mouth.

  "Something wrong?"

  Their eyes met and Mary's fell back to her sticky fingers. She shook her head.

  "Are you sure? You know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?"

  She nodded. Taking a deep breath she held it for a few seconds as though contemplating something.

  Amanda sat beside her once again, torn between wanting to clean Jacob, who was in a fair old mess, and encouraging Mary to confide in her. Jacob would have to wait. Emma was sitting on the concrete path at his feet and they were busy entertaining each other.

  "I saw you holding hands with Adam. Is he your boyfriend?"

  "Kinda." Amanda smiled. "Why? Don't you like him?"

  "I like him, but …"

  "Go on, you're okay." Amanda nodded.

  "If you marry him, what will happen to me?"

  Mary gave a series of sniffs and tears filled her pretty blue eyes, breaking Amanda's heart.

  "Oh, come here, silly." She pulled Mary into her arms. "You'll always be a part of this family, whatever happens. You hear me?"

  Amanda hated the fact Mary still felt unsettled. She'd tried her best to make her welcome, but it obviously wasn't enough. The death of her mother, as well as her father's disappearance, affected her badly. Amanda wished she could tell her the whole truth, one that Andrew had confessed to her before he vanished. Mary was actually Amanda’s child, born of incest and years of abuse. After she was born, she was immediately given up for adoption. Andrew and Judy, his wife, had brought her up as their own, after Andrew had kidnapped her from her adoptive family when she was just a small child.

  But she couldn't tell her. How would Mary ever understand, or even get over the fact her aunt is actually her mother. And the only father she’d ever known is definitely her uncle, but also he had a one in two chance of being her real father—along with her grandfather.

  Mary was already damaged, feeling abandoned and rejected. This information could well tip her over the edge.

  Amanda's other problem was one more unplanned pregnancy, if her instinct was correct,
which would have to be dealt with. How could she bring another child into such a disjointed and fucked up family as hers? Not only that, her relationship with Adam was much too new to be able to cope.

  "There you are."

  Adam's voice shocked her back to the present.

  "Did you enjoy your ice-cream? Jacob, you look like you got more on you than in your mouth." He laughed.

  Amanda jumped up and produced another wad of tissues from her bag. She handed Emma a couple before tackling her son's sticky mess.

  "You okay, Mary?" Adam asked, raising his eyebrows at Amanda.

  Amanda shrugged one shoulder and shook her head slightly.

  "Yes, thanks," Mary said.

  "Great. Are we all ready to feed the ducks?" Adam held up a loaf of bread.

  "Yay!" Emma and Jacob squealed in unison.

  "You thought of everything," Amanda said.

  "Don't sound so amazed. It's always been a dream of mine—picnic in the park with a wonderful family, all playing Frisbee afterwards."

  "You don't have a Frisbee?" Amanda said, looking at his other hand.

  "I do, but I left it in the car." He laughed again.

  Amanda shook her head, amazed. This guy seemed too good to be true. She stroked her flat stomach. He would make a perfect father, but the timing was way off.

  They set off in search of the duck pond.

  Jacob, sick of being in his pushchair, ran beside them but struggled to keep up, so Adam twirled him up onto his shoulders. He then ran on ahead with Emma chasing them both. Hysterical laughter came from their direction.

  Amanda and Mary walked behind, linking arms and pushing the pushchair between them.

  Mary chuckled as she watched the others.

  Amanda hugged her arm. "Do you like being part of this family, Mary?"

  Big blue eyes looked up at her with inherited dark smudges underneath. "Yes, I love it."

  "And we love you too. Always will. Whoever else comes along, whatever else changes, that will always remain the same. I couldn't imagine my life without you now."

  Mary inhaled sharply then smiled. "Me too."

  Chapter 35