There’s silence. ‘You’re kidding.’ Pete sounds stunned. ‘You’re sure about this? Of course, you must be. I mean … How did I not know?’
‘I’ve asked myself the same question. But the police seem to think they have proof.’
He sounds shocked. ‘Oh, Amy …’
I pause, knowing I need to ask him. ‘You really didn’t know anything was wrong?’
‘Apart from the times he changed plans at the last minute,no. We’d arranged to meet to talk about the speeches etc. But he’s a busy guy. It’s only the fact that the wedding was so close that I thought anything of it, because we were running out of time. But apart from that, there really was nothing.’
Then I remember. ‘The police asked for your mobile number.’
‘They haven’t called me yet. And I’m not sure I can tell them anything.’
‘Can you let them know how surprised you are, too? They don’t seem to believe that I couldn’t have known.’
*
After a couple of hours, when I next glance outside, the ambulance has gone. It isn’t until PC Page calls me the following day that I find out more.
‘I’m not sure if you know, but your neighbour was found dead yesterday. It came as a complete shock to her daughter. Had you seen much of her recently?’
I’m horrified. ‘I can’t believe it. She seemed OK the last time I saw her – frail, but determined as ever. Do you know how she died?’
‘We’re not sure. Possibly her heart, but apparently, her house stank of smoke. Her daughter said she was meticulous about getting the chimney swept. Given the circumstances, there’ll be a post-mortem, after which we should know more.’ PC Page hesitates for a moment. ‘Her daughter said you and her mother were quite friendly.’
‘We were. I used to see her much more when we first moved here but recently, I’ve seen her less frequently. Now and then, she’d give me flowers from her garden. She loved her garden – we had that in common, I suppose. She loved my daughter Jess, too.’ I break off for a moment. ‘I’m so sorry. I can’t believe she’s gone.’
‘Can you remember when you last saw her?’
I remember clearly. ‘It was the morning after Matt went missing. I’d just come back after delivering some orders, when I saw her walking down the lane. She had some Japanese anemones in her garden which she said I could use for our wedding.’ Frowning, I can’t believe I haven’t asked. ‘Do you know if she saw anyone leave the bouquet outside my door?’
‘I did speak to her.’ PC Page sounds thoughtful. ‘She said she saw a van pull up outside the day it happened.’
I tighten my grip on my phone. ‘No-one’s told me this.’
‘Probably because there isn’t much to tell. It was too dark and the van was too far away for her to identify the make or colour. Because of how it parked, she didn’t see anyone get in or out of it, either.’
My heart starts to race. ‘It must have been whoever left the flowers. Who else could it have been?’
‘That’s anyone’s guess.’ There’s a pause before she speaks. ‘Either way, it doesn’t exactly help. But we’re doing everything we can to find out.’
*
None of us are immortal, but I’d imagined Mrs Guthrie obstinately refusing to let her age get the better of her, one of those old women who’d struggle on into her nineties, battling her frailty. It crosses my mind that her death is connected to whoever delivered the flowers – the timing seems too much of a coincidence. But whether it is or not, it weaves another layer of uncertainty around me. With Matt gone, Jess away and Mrs Guthrie no longer across the road, my sense of isolation grows. If anything were to happen, I’m alone.
Chapter Nine
Each time Jess says she’s coming back, I persuade her not to. I don’t want her to see me broken. Nor do I want her here until this day – the day Matt and I were going to be married, a day I’ve dreaded – is over. Two weeks have passed, and there is too much to forgive. Even if he did come back, I wouldn’t want him here.
On the morning of what should have been the happiest day of my life, the early morning mist lifts, leaving a cold, sunlit day as I’d always known it would be. I step outside onto a light covering of frost that sparkles as the first rays of sun catch it. Instead of resounding with joy and love, with the heartfelt best wishes of our friends, it’s a day that leaves me ice cold; filled with uncertainty and emptiness. In place of celebratory cards and the scent of flowers filling the house, the wooden floors polished, the windows crystal clear, dust has settled, thick enough that I can trace Matt’s name with my finger.Liar.
When Cath calls, I let it go to voicemail, before texting her.
I’m OK, I just want to be alone today.
Not long after, Lara texts me.I’m here if you need company.
Only when Jess calls do I pick up.
