‘Kate, I don’t know what you’re on about. Nat has filled me in on your conversation earlier. We were just talking about it.’
‘Here, on the beach in the rain? Really?’
‘I’m not welcome in the pub and too many people gossip around here.’ Natalie shakes her head and looks down. ‘We wanted some privacy, that’s all.’
Ignoring her, I keep my focus on Laura. She was the one sending the message and all I need to do is prove it, then I can finally put a face to Will Wilcox.
‘Let me see your phone.’ I hold my hand out. She had her phone in her hand when I received that message and even though there was no oil under where her car was parked, I still think she did it. Maybe the rain had washed the oil away or maybe it was too dark to see properly.
‘What?’ She brushes her damp curly hair off her face.
‘Your phone. At the moment I don’t believe a word you say.’
She unlocks the screen and holds her phone towards me. I snatch it from her and head straight to her text messages. The last one she sent was to her daughter saying she’d be home late. I tap my number in her phone but it doesn’t come up as a contact. She didn’t send the message. Natalie didn’t have a phone in her hand so it couldn’t have been her.
‘Sorry.’ I hand it back to her.
‘What’s happened, Kate?’ Natalie stands and brushes damp sand off her jeans as Laura stands. Her long mac billows as a gust of wind catches it and her umbrella creaks as it fights to stay the right way.
‘I was standing on the pier, thinking of Jess when this came through.’ I show them the message. ‘Then I saw you with your phone in your hand.’
‘I can see how you might think that but I promise you, we’re not playing any games at all.’ Laura places an arm over my shoulders.
I can’t help but sob. It’s been an emotional day and my hormones are all over the place. The woman envelops me in her warmness. I allow her to guide me off the beach and both of them walk me back to the cottage. As we stop, Natalie steps a little closer. ‘We’re trying to help you, Kate, and we will help you. Go home and I’ll call you tomorrow. Okay.’
My dad sees me through the window and he hurries to open the door. He waves and smiles politely but I can tell he’s worried about the state I’m in.
Once again I trust Natalie and Laura. I also wonder if I’m being a fool. Everyone in this town is one step ahead of me. They have been all along. Maybe the police will tell me more in the morning.
FORTY-ONE
NATALIE
Laura linked her arm in Natalie’s as they passed one of the cosy harbour restaurants where they watched on as people dined. She imagined how simple their lives were. Safe relationships, homes, marriages, children, stability. She wondered if any one of the patrons were hiding a secret lover, hidden away from the front window for all to see.
‘Laura, will you come up with me. I don’t want to be alone.’
‘Of course I will. Are you okay?’
Natalie shook her head. ‘Every part of that flat reminds me of him and when I think of him, all I see is her. I can’t sleep in my bed because he might have brought her here. I can’t think, I can’t eat properly, I can’t breathe.’ She began to fight for breath.
‘Nat, Nat.’
She held up a hand and bent over as she tried to catch her breath and then the tears followed. ‘It hurts.’
‘Your chest?’
‘No, Alan hurt me and I can’t forgive him. I can’t heal, I’m stuck.’ The sobs came fast and hard.
Laura pulled Natalie close and hugged her tightly. ‘There, there. It’s all going to be okay. I promise. Let’s get you inside.’
She nodded and held on to Laura. The path ahead swayed as Natalie fought her anxiety. Eventually she would get Mary out of her mind but not until the truth came out. Rachel needed to know. ‘About what we spoke about.’ Natalie placed the key in the door of the ice-cream shop.
‘What’s that?’
‘Rachel. I have to know for sure if she’s Alan’s. I can’t get her out of my mind.’
‘She’s always believed that Kyle is her father. News like that would kill him. He dotes on that girl. Some things are better left as they are.’ Laura paused. ‘I’ve never told Bethany who her father is.’
