Lorna Fielding, Phoenix’s mum
I don’t understand. I had full responsibility of the envelope at all times. 11:37
Should she mention the Christmas fair? No, that might be a little too obvious. Better wait and see if someone took the bait. She pressed ‘Send’. It didn’t once occur to her about the repercussions on Nancy. She was aware that no one really knew her that well – they were such a tight-knit group and with it being the last year of primary school, it was almost as if Nancy was just passing through. No one had paid her that much attention. The appetite of the established mums to make new friends had waned.
And anyway, Lorna needed to get out of a hole. A massive, deep, dark one.
A message came through from Erin. Lorna read it with bated breath.
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
That’s not true. You gave the envelope to Nancy. When you took Pepper to see Father Christmas. 11:37
Lorna was awash with relief. Thank God Erin had remembered.
She quickly typed:
Lorna Fielding, Phoenix’s mum
OMG I did! 11:37
Nicole Wilson, Bella’s mum
So what, we think some of the money went missing when Nancy had the envelope? You do know what that insinuates? 11:38
Lorna made sure she was the one to make the next point.
Lorna Fielding, Phoenix’s mum
Can’t be her. She doesn’t need it, she’s loaded! 11:38
Imogen Wood, Rosie’s mum
People steal for more reasons than just getting something extra in their pocket, you know. 11:38
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
Yes, it’s not always about the money. It’s about the kick. 11:39
Lorna was suddenly aware of Carol standing in front of her. She looked up; for a moment she’d forgotten her mum was there.
‘I’ve obviously caught you at a bad time,’ said Carol.
‘No, it’s OK, Mum.’ And it was now, Lorna thought. Even if someone confronted Nancy – and they wouldn’t, she was sure of it – then Nancy would deny it and the local mums would remain suspicious. They’d badmouth her for a bit then something else would happen in the busy whirlwind of the school calendar and it would become just some anecdotal:Remember when...?
‘I think I’d rather go,’ said Carol and Lorna caught the sadness in her mother’s voice and felt bad.
‘Sure I can’t tempt you to stay with an out-of-date cake? Probably got one here somewhere.’
‘Not today,’ said Carol. She gathered up her things and left.
She would make it up to her sometime, thought Lorna. She tried to remember what her mum had been talking about – something to do with being despondent about the way she looked? Lorna thought her mother was supremely elegant – she was actually envious of her – but she hadn’t had the time to say it.
No, she’d been doing something really urgent. She felt giddy with relief. What a close shave that had been. But she had got out of it. No one suspected a thing.
SIXTY-FOUR
Friday 8 January
