‘What, so you think he killed the cat because he couldn’t get his own way? You’re right, it is far-fetched.’
‘But you agreed with me that there’s definitely something creepy about him.’
‘Yes, but what you’re describing sounds more like a psychopath and I’d hate to think that the father of Willow’s child is as dangerous as that; it doesn’t bear thinking about.’
‘Hear me out some more. You know about gaslighting, don’t you?’
‘Sorry? What’s Victorian gas lamps got to do with anything?’
‘It’s when your partner makes you doubt yourself in order to control you. It makes you feel you’re going crazy.’
As though a light had been switched on, Ellis saw exactly where Martha was going with this. ‘That’s a hell of a leap you’re making.’
‘I was reading up on the subject this morning while I was waiting for you. Rick fits the profile to a T. He’s possessive, he spoils Willow with expensive presents and bit by bit he’s distancing her from her family.’
‘I haven’t seen any sign of the latter.’
‘I have. He’s accused me of bullying Willow, of patronising her and basically of not being a very nice sister. It’s a classic case of divide and conquer.’
‘When did he accuse you of all that?’
‘A few months ago.’
‘Have you spoken to Willow about it? Or your mother?’
‘No. I was embarrassed by the accusations because I know at times I do come across as the bossy big sister. I only recently told Tom what Rick had said.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He wanted to have a word with Rick to tell him he was out of order, but I asked him not to. I didn’t want there to be any more trouble than I felt there already was.’
‘And too often words said in the heat of a moment are not the wisest,’ Ellis said.
‘I know what you’re probably thinking,’ Martha then said. ‘That I’m determined to think the worst about Rick because of what he said to me.’
‘That would be petty, and I don’t believe you would waste any thought or energy on something so trivial. But if you’re right about Rick and what he’s doing to Willow, where does that leave us? What’s his ultimate aim?’
‘To control her. To make her entirely his possession.’
‘Wouldn’t she realise what’s going on?’
‘Apparently the process is like slowly boiling a frog alive in a pan of water;the victim doesn’t notice the gradual changes going on in their life.’
Ellis cringed. After checking his mirrors, he pulled out to overtake a minibus of schoolchildren, and said, ‘Has your sister given you any indication that she feels uneasy about Rick and her relationship with him?’
‘She doesn’t love him, that much I know.’
‘Really?’
‘She admitted it when she was talking to me while I was stuck in the lift at work. Her actual words were that shewantedto love him, which means she doesn’t. I’m convinced she’s dug herself an almighty hole and thinks there’s no way out of it.’
‘I hate to say it, Martha, but everything you’ve put forward amounts to nothing but supposition.’
‘But you know it’s true, don’t you? And I tell you what else I suspect might be true.’
‘Go on,’ said Ellis.
‘When we first knew that Willow was pregnant, Tom wondered if Willow might have deliberately got herself pregnant to trap Rick, him being her first boyfriend who ticked all the right boxes in that he was financially secure, had his own home, could afford to give her nice things, etcetera. I disagreed with Tom on that, and still do, for the simple reason my sister isn’t the mercenary type, it’s just not her style.’
