‘He’slying. He wanted custody of Evie. My Natalia would have fought him tooth and nail. He wanted to be rid of her. He wanted access to her money, but Natalia was shrewd enough to move it from their shared account.’
She stops, looking at me cagily. ‘Have you given him access to your finances?’
‘No.’ I swallow back the bitter taste in my throat, try to process. ‘Yes. We have a joint account, for the household bills, but…’ She’s serious, isn’t she? I see her shoulders stiffen.
‘And the house?’ she asks. ‘Is that in joint names?’
I shake my head hard, feeling now utterly disorientated. She’s talking sensibly, seemingly coherent. I’d thought she was in denial about her daughter’s abuse, unaware of her own condition, but now I’m not sure. Is Jack a liar? Did he hurt Natalia, lie about her mental health, telling me her behaviour was volatile and unpredictable because of it when in fact it was due to his behaviour? ‘We are thinking of making joint wills, though,’ I murmur, my heart now thudding so frantically I feel it might explode, ‘to make sure the children are financially secure.’
Lina pauses before answering. ‘And this wouldn’t be anything to do with securing his own future?’ she asks, raising her eyebrows enquiringly.
‘This is all utter rubbish.’I try again to rise from the bed, but Lina stops me, patting my hand and sitting down beside me.
‘Rest awhile.’ She smiles sweetly. ‘We don’t want you falling down those stairs, do we?’
THIRTY-TWO
‘I’d better get on and leave you to your rest,’ Lina says, standing abruptly and heading for the landing. Assuming she’s leaving, I give her a moment, then make my way unsteadily after her. Hearing the sound of the front door closing, relief floods through me and I grab my phone and hurry to the bathroom. Turning on the tap, I cup my trembling hands under it and glug cold water. Perspiration wets my forehead and, catching my reflection in the mirror, I realise my complexion is pale to the point of grey. What on earth is wrong with me? Surely I shouldn’t feel this ill? I’m drained, emotionally and physically.
Deciding to make a doctor’s appointment, I make my way back along the landing to the stairs. Then falter. I can hear music drifting up from the kitchen. But Lina couldn’t have switched the radio on. She’d already left. Hadn’t she?
Is she playing psychological games with me? My blood grows cold as I recall her comment just now –We don’t want you falling down those stairs, do we? – the look on her face as she’d said it. Did she hope I did have an accident, preferably a fatal one, before the wills I stupidly spoke to her about were drawn up, thus securing herfuture? Jack is right. If anyone is a danger to me, it’sher.
My hand strays to my belly as the baby kicks softly, then more violently. Suddenly my phone rings, jolting me. Jack’s name flashes up.
‘Hey,’ he says softly. ‘I left it a while in case you were sleeping. How are you?’
‘Okay,’ I lie. ‘Worried about Lina.’
‘You and me both.’ He blows out an irritated sigh. ‘I suppose Evie’s still with her?’
‘No. She went out,’ I reply vaguely, unsure I should tell him where she’s gone.
‘Out?’ Jack sounds wary. ‘Out where?’
I debate, then, guessing I have no choice, answer cautiously. ‘To see Imogen, or so Lina said. She left without?—’
‘Imogen?’ Jack cuts across me. ‘Why the hell would she do that after what happened between them?’
Noting the alarm in his voice, my heart misses a beat. ‘I’m not sure. They must have spoken on the phone. I’ve tried to get hold of her, but she’s not picking up.’
‘Jesus,’ Jack mutters. ‘Look, there’s not much I can do here until the electrician comes tomorrow. I’m on my way back. I’ll try calling her myself. Can you let me know if you manage to get hold of her before I do?’
‘I will,’ I promise. ‘See you shortly. Make sure to…’Drive carefully, I was about to say when I realise he’s ended the call.
Feeling confused and utterly jaded, I go downstairs and head for the window that looks over the annexe. As I peer out, I notice a silhouette gliding past the voiles at Lina’s lounge window. I’m about to step away when it reappears, startling me. Is she spying on me?
Wondering whether I might be going out of my mind, and desperately in need of someone to talk to, I hurry to the kitchen to turn the damn radio off, then call Jemma, who picks upstraight away, thankfully. ‘Hi, Kara, how are you?’ she says, and I’ve never been more grateful to hear a friendly voice.
‘Okay,’ I answer hesitantly.
‘You don’t sound very sure,’ Jemma says warily. ‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’
‘Nothing,’ I respond. Then, ‘Everything,’ I blurt, and burst into tears.
‘Oh no, Kara. It’s not Jack, is it?’ she asks worriedly. ‘He hasn’t?—’
‘No, no. It’s not Jack,’ I assure her. ‘It’s Lina. She’s implying all sorts about him and… I don’t know what to do, Jemma. I feel as if I’m going mad.’
