PROLOGUE
When you love someone so much you’d give your life for them, you know they’re the one.
I know you’re the one. It’s rare that such love can be found. Now that I’ve found you, I can never let you go. I’ve waited long enough but a person can get impatient.
I wipe the blob of blue paint from my hand and pop the rag in my back pocket. Standing back, I admire my work. It’s beautiful, just like you.
The time has come and I have a lot to do. You betrayed me once, but you will never get the chance to do that again. I’ll make sure of it.
You do love me.
We love each other.
I love you.
ONE
SATURDAY, 2 APRIL
Annabel
As the door to the Angel Arms pub closes behind us, I hold on to Jen for dear life. When I look up, the starry April sky begins to spin. ‘I shouldn’t have had that last cocktail. Not only did it taste and look like swamp water, my head is swimming too.’ I swiftly take my gaze away from the stars, which makes me lose my balance for a second. ‘Never again.’
‘Yeah, right.’ The pub lights go out, leaving us in darkness. The woman who ran the place looked pleased that we’d left early so that she could close up. Jen takes my hand. ‘Annie Bell, you always say that and every time you go that extra mile, but I wouldn’t have you any other way.’ Jen grabs my arm to steady me. Her long hair swings from side to side and it slaps my face with every step.
I drop my duster jacket and laugh. ‘You still call me Annie Bell after all these years. I feel like we’re still at primary school.’
She picks up my jacket and passes it back to me with a giggle. ‘You’ll always be Annie Bell to me, my lovely. We best get you home.’
‘Home, that word again.’ I pause. I don’t want to go home ever again but I suppose I have to confront the issue, confront him properly. Things are worse than ever and I can’t live like I’m walking on eggshells for much longer. He’s so angry and agitated lately. I don’t even know if he’s home. That’s how much we talk. ‘We haven’t got a marriage anymore.’ I’ve been telling Jen about it all night and I feel bad for going there yet again.
‘You could stay at mine if your babysitter was up for some overtime.’
‘My neighbour said to stay out as long as I wanted but I already texted to say that I was on my way back. I don’t expect Grant will be there.’ It wasn’t likely anyway. He was never home. That giggly feeling has now totally gone. All that is left is a creeping emptiness that is threatening to topple me.
Jen leads me past the bus stop and along the high street. If Grant is home, he’ll be tucked up in the spare room. If not, that’s where he’ll go when he gets home. Then, when I wake up, I’ll be ready to confront him and his betrayal. ‘We’ve had some good times, haven’t we, Jen?’
‘Of course we have.’ Jen links her arm in mine and smiles.
‘What were you going to tell me earlier?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll call you tomorrow.’
‘Thanks for the chat earlier, at yours.’ I owe her one. She’s made me see what I need to do. I can’t let Grant treat me this way. What I’m going to do will destroy Cally’s heart in more ways than one, but I’ve had it with the lies.
‘You’re my best friend. I’m always here for you. If you need a place to stay when you’ve had it out with him, you and Cally are always welcome at mine.’ Jen smiles at me but it’s not her usual wide smile.
The lights of the high street are being left behind and I feel a chill on my arms. We take a right off the main road, the quickest way back to mine, and I almost topple in a pothole. Jen is sporting a serious look. I might be drunk but I know when my best friend has something on her mind. ‘What is it, Jen?’
She shakes her head. ‘I’m not in the mood to talk about it, really.’
‘Jen’s hiding something and I know it’s important.’ I’m using the sing-song voice I use with my little girl, Cally, and that makes Jen laugh. It’s better than her frowning face.
‘And I’m not telling you while you’re hammered.’
I slip off the kerb, landing in the gutter. ‘Help me up.’
Jen grabs my hands and makes a straining noise as she tries to pull me up, then she accidentally drops me back in the gutter where I lie, laughing like never before. I’ve had such a good night considering earlier today. I want to milk the last few minutes until I have to walk back into my problematic life again.
