As Cody’s boat chugged out of the harbour, she watched on. She was sick of putting everyone else’s feelings first while they all laughed at her. ‘Let the truth commence,’ she whispered.
THIRTY-TWO
KATE
The satnav is telling me to turn left but I can’t see how unless I head straight into woodland. Then I spot the tiny single-track road that is almost overgrown at either side. I turn into what must be The Brambles, clattering over the bumps. After seeing two passing places, I’m wowed by the most amazing view as I pull up. One wrong move in the car could see me tumbling into the sea below from this dizzying height with death being the only possible outcome.
My stomach clenches as I think of Damien. I told him that I was coming to Looe for closure and I haven’t deviated from that plan. Only closure doesn’t only involve spreading a few flower petals off the harbour, it involves delving as deeply as possible into what happened that day. I wished he’d answer his phone. I’ve left messages, lots of them, but he hasn’t replied and that hurts.
Now, I feel awful about leaving my children with my father. His only instruction was not to leave the house under any circumstances and no drinking. Not a drop. At first the girls were shy but when I left, he’d made them breakfast and was playing board games with them. I have no option but to trust him. He was worried, I could tell. Not about looking after the girls, about me coming here today, alone.
I told him that not much harm could come to me while visiting a nursing home. He pulled a bit of a frown but he understood. I’m doing this for both of us. We need to bury this chapter of our lives to move on. I now realise that my father needs that as much as me.
Swallowing, I wonder if the lie I told to get my visit here will catch up with me and if the police will find out and wonder why I didn’t tell them that I was coming here. I know they’ll only slow me down by saying that they’ll do it, then they won’t get around to it like the times before. They take leads and they never follow up on them properly. They care that I was attacked but my long dead sister isn’t a priority for them.
I glance up at the huge white building that looks to be about ten rooms across and three floors high. Some of the rooms have balconies, others have full-length windows. It must have been a grand family home in the past. Time waits for no one and I have to get in there, do what I came to do and get out. I also have to remember that I’m Nadine Turner, a relative who is visiting the area.Don’t say your name is Kate, I remind myself.
My phone rings and what a coincidence, it’s Nadine, the very person whose name I’m using. I remember that I didn’t message her back. ‘Hi, Nadine.’
‘Hi, lovely. How’s your holiday going?’ She pauses. ‘I know you mentioned that you were going to Looe and I was thinking about you and your sister. It must be so hard being back there. Thought I’d just see how you were.’
I almost want to cry at her concern. She speaks so warmly to me and we’ve become really good friends in such a short time. She’s my lunch and cake buddy and I’ve spoken to her a few times about Jess. She’s one of the only people who’s listened to me go on and on about what happened. ‘So much has happened.’
I fill her in and end on the events of last night and a lump sticks in my throat as I tell her that Damien has left me.
‘Shit. Are you okay?’
‘The sore head and nausea hurt less than Damien leaving.’
‘That’s awful. I hope they catch the bastard that attacked you and Damien will come round when he’s had a chance to calm down. What are the police doing?’
‘The usual, checking CCTV. They took my coat for forensics. I doubt they’ll search the cave given that the tide comes in on it but you never know.’
‘Don’t go putting yourself in any more danger, lovely. You’ve got to take care of yourself for those little girls and I need my friend back.’ I swallow. So much of me wanted to never go back to work so that I could wrap my precious daughters up in cotton wool, but I have to admit, I miss Nadine, Brett, and the pool now. I miss being me and not just Mum, but I’m not increasing my hours. No way. ‘So no more expeditions into creepy caves on your own. Promise?’
‘Yes, sir. Promise. I have no intention of going into a cave ever again.’ I let out a slight chuckle.
‘Are you doing anything today?’
‘As it happens, I’m just about to visit someone in a nursing home.’ It sounds stupid telling her that.
‘What? I didn’t know you knew anyone who lived there.’
‘I don’t. I’m playing detective. The chap I’m visiting was close by when Jess went missing all those years ago. I need to speak to him.’ I don’t mention that Archie is a man with memory issues; that the only thing that might result from this visit is a man who is even more distressed and confused than usual. But, now that I remember seeing him peering out of his cabin just before Jess drowned, I can’t get the man out of my mind.
‘So you’re doing the job the police are meant to be doing?’
‘Something like that. I must be mad, I know, but how much danger can come of me visiting a nursing home? Someone wants me out of the way and they left me for dead in a cave. That’s how close I’m getting. The police don’t have the resources to do what I’m doing and my days here are limited.’
I hear a click down the phone when Nadine swallows. ‘Please take care of yourself. I need my partner in cake to come back in one piece. Promise me you’ll play it safe?’
‘I will. Look, I have to go. Lots to do and plenty of leads to follow. I’ll stay in a crowd and make sure I’m seen at all times.’
‘Call me if you want to talk. Okay?’
‘Okay. Got to go. Bye.’
I end the call before Nadine starts talking about something else. There will be plenty of time for catch-ups when I’m back at work on Monday. Time here is too precious for me to stay on the phone. It’s Tuesday and the only thing I hear in my head is the ticking of the clock telling me that I only have three whole days left then it’s back home.
