‘Why?’
‘Because she doesn’t need to know. I brought her up. She’s mine. Before Bethany came into my life, I was married. I didn’t live here back then. I was with a brute of a man who threw me about like a rag doll.’
‘I didn’t know, I’m sorry.’ That’s the first time Laura had ever mentioned her life before Looe to Natalie.
‘It’s okay. It was a long time ago.’
It wasn’t okay. People didn’t just move on from being abused like that. ‘Was he Bethany’s father? Is that why you didn’t tell her?’
With a downturned mouth, she shook her head. ‘No, he wasn’t and no again. I wanted Bethany to be all mine. I told her that I had a one-night stand after a drunken night at a club in Plymouth. Besides, when she was born, I knew I couldn’t share her with anyone and we’re so close. She could have left this town for good but she loves it here as much as I do and she keeps coming back. It’s like the sea is calling her. She was bright at school but we run the business together. I made the business for her and for me. We live together so that I can keep her close and I’d never rock that boat by putting someone who has had no part in our lives into the mix. What I’m trying to say to you, about your situation, is that some things are best left the way they are. Bethany is so happy. Rachel is happy. Kyle loves her and she loves him. She will hate you for upsetting that bond.’
‘Who is Bethany’s father?’
She turned to face Natalie. ‘You haven’t listened to a word I said. That has never mattered. Sorry, I have to go.’ With that, Laura pushed past Natalie and stomped away.
‘Laura, wait.’ Puddle water sloshed into her boots as she chased after her friend. ‘Wait. I’m sorry. That was none of my business but I’m not going to let it drop with Mary and Rachel.’ Natalie couldn’t spend the whole night in her own head again, fighting off the constant rotation of internal arguments with everyone. ‘Please don’t leave me alone. Come up. Let’s have a drink.’
‘Okay, but no more having a go at me.’
‘I promise and I’m sorry.’
Tomorrow was going to be explosive. She’d not only tell Rachel everything, it was time everyone knew about Mary’s conversation and about Rachel being her deceased husband’s daughter. There was more to the mad method that she’d chosen. When people run on their nerves, they slip up. Once a cat escaped the bag, the rest would follow.
She would flush the truth out. Kate could finally have her answers and so could she. No longer was she going to be told to shut up. Cody and Mary could both go to hell.
FORTY-TWO
KATE
Wednesday, 26 October
‘Mummy, I don’t want toast.’ Millie looks at me with a frown.
‘Come on, Millie. Just eat your breakfast.’
‘I don’t want toast either.’ Rosie throws hers back onto her plate. ‘We want to go out to play.’
Impossible, not until the police had been. Not knowing what time that would be, we have to stay in all morning. ‘We’re going out later. You know Mummy has to stay in until the police have been.’
Millie gives up on getting anything better for breakfast and bites into the toast. ‘Why are the police coming?’
‘They just want to show me something.’
‘What?’ A puff of crumbs escape her open mouth as she chomps.
I don’t know what to tell them. Maybe the police are going to tell me who attacked me, who knows? Millie is staring at me, awaiting my answer. ‘I don’t know until they’ve been. It’s just about what happened the other day. Nothing for you to worry about. I tell you what, do you want to watch telly while you eat?’
Rosie claps her hands together. I knew that would cheer them up. I normally forbid meals in front of the TV, preferring to have some family time. They grab their plates and I follow them through to the lounge and put some cartoons on. Within seconds, they’re pacified so that I can mull over what the police might have to say.
Creaking comes from the floorboards above. My dad is emerging from the shower. He was worried sick about me being brought home in a state last night. He thinks I’m not well from the blow to the head and maybe he’s right. Instead of allowing him to help me, I pushed him away. I only have three days to get to the truth. I’m going to trust that Natalie will have something for me soon and in the meantime I will keep my ears and eyes open, while spending some time with the girls. I’ve promised them a fun day and I need to deliver. I can’t have their lasting memory of this holiday being about police and me never being here. We will plan our goodbyes to Jess for Saturday morning before we leave. The girls still want to scatter petals in the sea and I want to do that for her too.
I call Damien again and still he ignores me. A message pings up.
I need some time, Kate. X
That kiss at the end of the message gives me hope so I reply with a simple kiss.
Dad is coming downstairs so I hurry to the kitchen and pour him a large coffee. It’s the least I can do after leaving the girls with him all day yesterday. He looks worn out this morning as he walks in, T-shirt creased and the hem of his pyjama bottoms half tucked into his socks.
