by Lisa Heidke
I took her hand in mine. ‘Have you been eating?’
‘I don’t know,’ she whispered.
‘Evie?’ said Liam.
‘Dad, are you going to come home now?’
I almost died. Was that what this was all about?
Liam and I stared at her, not knowing what to say. A moment later, the doctor walked in. ‘How are you feeling, Evie?’
‘Okay.’
‘Mr and Mrs Campbell, we’re going to keep Evie under observation for the day. The drip will stay in for a few hours until she’s rehydrated. Evie, what did you eat for breakfast?’
Evie looked away.
‘Evie,’ I encouraged. ‘Answer the doctor.’
‘Black tea.’
‘And for dinner last night?’
‘I don’t remember.’ She rolled over and closed her eyes.
The doctor motioned for us to follow him outside. ‘Has your daughter got any friendship or other concerns at school?’
I shook my head. ‘Not that I’m aware of.’
‘Anything happening at home with siblings?’
Liam and I remained silent. I was fighting back tears.
‘I think that whatever is bothering Evie, she’s taking it out on her food. Have you noticed her being highly emotional? Angry or unhappy? Sometimes instead of acknowledging what’s happening emotionally and physically, teenagers try to control other aspects of their lives, like the food they eat. Perhaps Evie is feeling out of control either at school or at home, and she’s taking control by strictly managing what goes into her mouth.’
‘When can I take her home?’
‘As I said, she’ll be under observation for the day and will probably sleep most of that time. So, later this afternoon.’
‘Can I stay with her?’
‘It’s probably best to leave her to get some rest for now. Assuming her blood tests are clear and there’s no sign of any other illness, we can recommend a couple of psychologists who specialise in this area.’
Though she was half asleep, Liam and I said our goodbyes to Evie and promised we’d be back in a couple of hours. We walked downstairs to the hospital cafe.
‘Do you really think Evie might have an eating disorder?’ said Liam. ‘Our Evie?’
I shook my head. ‘Maybe. She’s been terribly upset about you and me. She hasn’t been eating and I’ve been so preoccupied, I haven’t pulled her up on it. I mentioned it a few times but always let it go. It’s all such a mess.’ I hung my head in my hands and started to cry.
‘Hey,’ said Liam, rubbing my back. ‘It’ll be okay. Evie’s fine. It’s just a blip. We’ll do whatever it takes, see whoever is recommended to us and we’ll deal with the problem together. The last few months can’t have been easy for her.’
Head still bowed, I nodded slightly in agreement.
‘Speaking of problems, Friday, you have to go to the police and tell them about the note and the pills. I’ll come with you.’
I looked up at him. ‘No, I can do it myself. It’s my problem. I need to deal with it.’ I was way too embarrassed to have Liam with me when I fronted the police, especially if they asked me tricky questions. The thought of Liam finding out more about Blake or Tommy, not to mention KissMeCupid, was mortifying.
We drank our coffee in companionable silence until Liam spoke. ‘Okay, but if you need me, I’m here for you.’
‘Thanks. I know you are.’
‘What we’re doing to Evie and Olivia is selfish and wrong.’
I stared at him, my mouth open.
‘Let me finish,’ he said, putting his hand on my arm. ‘I don’t want us to go our own ways or explore new possibilities. I want to come home.’
‘Liam, I don’t know what to say.’
‘“Good idea” would be a start. We’ve both made mistakes. I don’t want a divorce. I want to give our marriage another try.’ He stared around the cafe. ‘It’s the least we can do. I love you.’
I felt overwhelmed, my mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. ‘I need to get Evie home first. We can talk about us later. I’m too upset now.’
‘And the police?’
‘I’ll go now, while Evie’s resting.’
We stood up, hugged and walked to the car park together, Liam’s words tumbling around in my head. I want to come home. I love you.
I was so confused. I loved Liam, I truly did. But was I in love with him?
We said our goodbyes and I drove towards the police station nearest our home. Almost delirious with worry about Evie, the stalker was way down on my list of problems, but I’d never forgive myself if it did turn out to be something sinister and the girls were harmed.
33
When I briefly explained my situation to the constable on the front desk, I was shown to a small grey meeting room. There were posters on all four walls, featuring bicycle safety, defensive driving, domestic violence, and policing in a multicultural society. Then there were the assorted brochures on the table in front of me. I picked up one about home security and started reading it.
‘Friday Campbell? Senior Constable Amanda Denim.’
I stood up and we shook hands.
‘Right,’ she said as we both sat down. ‘What seems to be the trouble?’
I started crying. ‘I don’t know where to begin.’
She smiled. ‘As close to the beginning as you can.’
‘I think I have a stalker.’
She scribbled some notes. ‘You think?’
I blew my nose and wiped my eyes. ‘Strange things have been happening.’
I told her about the roses, cake, note and then the pills.
‘Friday, it sounds like someone is really trying to frighten you. Rohypnol? That’s tantamount to a death threat.’
I took in a deep breath and nodded.
‘Have you still got the first note?’
‘I threw it out. I wanted to get rid of it.’
‘But you still have the pills and that note? The second one?’
‘Yes.’
‘Whoever is trying to frighten you, it’s important for you to know that you’re not responsible for his or her behaviour. You’re the victim, Friday. Next question, who would want to do this? What line of work are you in?’
‘Naturopathy.’
She tilted her head sideways. ‘Sounds harmless. What does your husband do? What’s his name again?’
‘Liam. He works at Beat FM.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Aha. Could he be the target?’
‘No.’ I hesitated. ‘And he doesn’t live with me anymore. We’ve been separated for over four and a half months now.’
She tapped her pen against the desk. ‘Do you have any thoughts as to who might be responsible? Have you inadvertently upset someone you’ve recently met?’
I tried to think. ‘I don’t think so.’
Constable Denim stared at her notepad, then looked up at me. ‘Mind you, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill disagreement over who bought the last croissant at the local bakery. This person honestly doesn’t like you.’
I shrugged.
‘Sorry. About what was written in the first letter,’ she said, reading over her notes. ‘Liam’s your husband, so who’s the married lover and the Adonis?’
My shoulders slumped. How mortifying. ‘Men I’ve met since my separation.’
‘Aha. Could you tell me a little about them? Full names, addresses?’
I panicked. ‘I really don’t think—’
‘Every piece of information helps.’
Ashamed and embarrassed didn’t begin to explain how I felt as I told her the little I knew about Tommy and Blake. When I was done, she said, ‘So there’s no one else you can think of who might have a vendetta against you?’
‘No, really. And I don’t think it could be Tommy or Blake, either,’ I told her.
‘Liam?’
‘Definitely not.’ There wasn’t a doubt in my mind.
‘It’s good you reported this, Friday,’ s
aid Constable Denim as she walked me back out into the foyer. ‘If you could drop in the pills and the second note, we’ll keep them on file. And please, any more unwanted gifts, phone calls or sightings, call me immediately. I also want you to keep a diary of incidents. And should you get any, don’t delete texts, phone messages or emails. Keep all written correspondence.’
She handed me her card. ‘There are some peculiar people out there. Men and women.’
I pocketed the card. ‘So no one is above suspicion?’
She smiled grimly. ‘Pretty much.’
I left the station feeling considerably lighter. I may not have solved the puzzle, but at least I had done the right thing and informed the authorities.
I got in my car and immediately phoned the hospital, hoping I could head back and pick up Evie. However, given it was one-thirty, I didn’t like my chances.
Two minutes later that was confirmed. ‘She’s still asleep, Mrs Campbell.’
‘But she’s okay? No complications?’
‘She’s resting comfortably and should be discharged later this afternoon.’
I hung up and ran my fingers through my hair. What to do? Go home, have a cup of tea and be back at the hospital by three o’clock, ready to take her home when allowed.
After phoning Liam and telling him about the police and giving him an update on Evie, I rang Rosie and filled her in.
‘I’ll be right over.’
‘There’s no need.’
‘Nonsense. Be there in fifteen.’
I’d just made a cup of tea when the doorbell rang.
‘Penny!’
‘I was in the neighbourhood, thought I’d drop in.’
‘How did you get my address?’ I asked, leading her inside.
‘Oh, when I rang your office and Deirdre said you wouldn’t be back in till next week, she gave it to me. I just had to speak to you.’ We stopped in the kitchen and she walked over to the glass doors leading out onto the deck. ‘Nice place you have here.’
‘Thanks, tea?’
She turned. ‘Water would be good.’
‘Deirdre gave you my address? She doesn’t usually do that.’
Penny smiled. ‘I charmed her.’
I handed her a glass of water and we sat down in the lounge. ‘What’s up?’
‘It’s a bit silly, really, but I need some extra-strong supplements. I’m still not sleeping.’
I forced myself to concentrate on what Penny was saying, but was having difficulty keeping all the various thoughts in my head from overwhelming me.
‘Sorry. Have I caught you at a bad time? You’re not busy, are you? I know how hard at it you are.’
‘I’m not having the greatest day, but I want to help you so how about we start with why you’re still not sleeping. The new mixture I gave you is strong. Perhaps you haven’t given it a long enough try.’
‘Where to start,’ Penny mused. ‘I guess it all began after we’d been married five years. I’ve always known my husband is attractive to other women.’ Penny suppressed a laugh and sipped her water. ‘Back then, I was naive. It never occurred to me that he would stray. But the older he gets the more pathetic and stupid he becomes. His flings—I wouldn’t call them affairs—have been becoming more regular, and then, when he met you—’
When he met you…
‘Penny, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.’ But my stomach was churning.
She plunged on. ‘When Blake met you, Friday—’
I was so horrified, I couldn’t speak. She couldn’t possibly be talking about the same Blake.
‘—he got carried away. More so than usual. You must have had rather a time of it up at Utopia?’
I shook my head. ‘No.’
‘Don’t worry. I wasn’t spying. It was only after Blake came back that I twigged.’ She let out a little sigh. ‘Did you like the cake, by the way?’
I gasped. ‘You!’
‘Of course it was me. You really didn’t think it was Blake, did you? Or that twenty-year-old you’ve also been screwing? FYI, Blake wouldn’t be happy about that. He likes being top dog.’
‘The pills?’
‘My little joke. Though,’ she grinned, ‘you’re going to take them, aren’t you?’
‘Get out,’ I said, shaking so hard, I was having difficulty navigating my way to the front door. ‘Please leave my house now or—’
‘Or you’ll what? You’ve been fucking my husband for weeks. Surely I have a right to retaliation.’
‘Penny, it’s over with Blake. I was in the wrong. It was my fault.’
‘Ha. Typical woman. It’s actually not all your fault, Friday.’
I felt like I was about to faint.
‘I’ve been watching you. It’s funny how, at the local bakery, you stand and stare longingly at the caramel slice but never buy it, always sticking with a soy latte and the occasional sugar-free Red Bull. Why do you deny yourself when you so clearly want it? It’s like when you’re at the newsagent and hungrily scan the cover pages of those trashy weekly rags. Again, I’ve never seen you buy one, but it’s so obvious you want to.’
My head was reeling. How could Penny have been watching me for so long without me knowing?
‘I can see your mind ticking over, Friday, searching for answers. I don’t watch you every day. You’re really not that important to me. It’s only when I get the urge.’
‘Penny, you’ve got every right to be mad,’ I said, standing, trying to figure out how to calmly get her out of my house… and arrested.
‘Oh, honey, I’m not mad. But I am going to get even. Do you want to know how?’
Penny was staring at me with an icy, cold rage, but her smile didn’t falter. She was going to kill me. Any second she was going to pull a knife or a gun from her black Coach bag and shoot me dead. But before that happened, I was going to faint. I felt my legs giving way. Then someone behind me steadied me.
‘You okay, hon?’ Rosie caught me and helped me upright. ‘I knocked but there was no answer.’
I stabilised myself and turned to face her, but she was staring at Penny, her expression confused. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Rosie,’ I said, finding my voice. ‘This is the stalker. Blake’s wife.’
‘Oh my God,’ said Rosie, rattled.
‘Please!’ said Penny dismissively.
‘And she’s going to kill me. Call the police.’
Rosie fumbled in her handbag for her phone.
Penny frowned. ‘Why would I waste my time killing you? I just wanted to razz you. No, Blake’s the one I’m after.’
I was relieved, but only momentarily. ‘I don’t care. We need to call the police.’
‘If we could all calm down and discuss this rationally,’ said Rosie, phone in hand.
‘Don’t you want to know what I’m going to do to Blake?’
‘Kill him?’ I ventured.
‘Again, it’s a plan but not a very sensible one. I’m not doing jail time over him.’ Penny sounded bored. ‘Nah, it’ll be more fun sticking it to him where it really hurts. I’m going to divorce him and take him for every cent. Trust me, forensic accountants will be working overtime on this deal.’
Rosie smiled.
‘This isn’t funny,’ I said, glaring at Rosie. ‘This woman tried to kill me.’
‘Hardly,’ said Penny. ‘The roses were top quality, as was the cake. I don’t do inferior anything. And I think you’ll find those so-called sleeping tablets are placebos.’
‘I can’t…’ said Rosie. ‘You’re married to Blah? Really?’
‘Blah?’ Penny repeated.
‘My friend’s pet name for Blake,’ I said. ‘She’s not a fan.’
‘With good reason,’ said Rosie.
Penny smiled. ‘Blah? I like that.’
Finally, we sat down, with Rosie offering to make everyone tea.
‘I’d rather a stiff vodka.’ I was only half joking. Tea would suffice. And soon enough, Rosie was pouring cups of s
teaming hot brew.
‘Penny, I’m ashamed. I don’t know what to say except sorry.’
She shrugged. ‘I’m not saying I’m not devastated, but I’ve seen similar happen before with Blake. When he gets infatuated, it’s like he’s on a mission with a one-track mind. This time, I snapped. I’ve finally had enough of his betrayal. I can’t take it anymore.’ She paused. ‘I’m sorry for scaring you. I really wanted to hate you.’
I shrugged. ‘You should.’
‘Misdirected anger,’ she said softly.
‘So, what happens now?’ asked Rosie as she took a sip.
‘I go home and confront him,’ said Penny. She looked at me. ‘It is over between the two of you, isn’t it?’
I almost wept. ‘God, yes. I never want to see him again. Ever.’
She put down her cup. ‘I believe you. And I knew it was over when I saw the Adonis at your house the other day.’
‘That’s over, too.’
Rosie raised her eyebrows. ‘Tommy?’
I smiled ruefully.
‘Penny,’ said Rosie, suddenly serious. ‘I do know a forensic accountant, if you’re looking for one.’
‘I will be.’ Tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry to have put you through this, Friday. It was wrong.’
I started tearing up as well, nodding in agreement. ‘I’m sorry, too. Really.’
Penny wiped her eyes. ‘All the best for the future, Friday.’
I believed she meant it.
‘And you,’ I said.
‘Right,’ said Rosie as the three of us walked to the front door, ‘when the dust settles, if you’d like me to organise your divorce party…’
34
‘Wow,’ said Rosie as we watched Penny drive away. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Like shit, but relieved it’s all over.’ Rosie followed me as I ran around the house, locking up, collecting my bag, phone and car keys. ‘But right now, I’ve got to pick up Evie from hospital.’
‘How is she?’
‘Okay,’ I said when we were both outside and I’d slammed the front door behind us. ‘She fainted at school. Might have an eating disorder.’
‘No way.’
‘I hope not, but it’s put the wind up me. From now on, Evie and Liv are my priorities.’
‘Hon,’ said Rosie, hugging me, ‘they’ve always been your priorities. No one has ever doubted that, not even Liam at his angriest.’
