I pop to the key cutters first and bump into George’s customer again, getting some shoes heeled. ‘Hello, love, how’s your mum? George said she’s had a bit of a fall. What a shame they couldn’t go on honeymoon. He’d been so looking forward to it.’
‘Mum was too. But hopefully her ankle will heal soon and then they can go away again.’
She nods. ‘I must say I’m delighted they both met. Poor George has been under so much financial strain, he was even thinking he would have to sell his shop and he’s had it for years. Now he’s living with your mum so he doesn’t have to. It’s wonderful how it all worked out.’ She smiles at me, pays for her paper and goes.
I hadn’t realised that George was thinking of selling the shop. Mum never said. Perhaps that’s why she asked him to move in after her mini stroke, it helped both of them out. I guess he’s going to sell his house now instead.
I get myself a key cut, then take George’s keys back to him. It’s such a relief to have a key to Mum’s house again. Now Alison won’t be able to shut me out.
And, more importantly, I can let myself in and find out exactly what she’s up to.
31
LIZZIE
I get the trainers for Isaac and go to the newsagents to buy a book for Mum. There’s a couple of detective books by a popular author so I get those. I think she’ll enjoy them, and it will help pass the time for her. Then I set off to see Mum.
I park my car around the corner and walk to her house, not wanting to alert Alison to my arrival. Alison’s hire car is in the drive, but I don’t call out as I put my newly cut key in the lock. This is my mother’s house. I’m entitled to be here. I have more right to be here than Alison does, in fact.
The quietness hits me as I step inside. No talking, no kettle boiling, no radio or TV on. Alison must be out, maybe she’s gone for a walk. Good. Now I can have a chat to Mum alone.
I close the door quietly behind me and take the first turning to the left into the lounge. Empty. Everything is clean and tidy and there’s no sign of anyone. I walk through into the back room. Mum is lying in bed sleeping. Again.
I walk over to her. She looks so peaceful.
‘Mum,’ I call softly. ‘Mum, it’s Lizzie. How are you? I’ve bought you a couple of things.’
No answer.
A flutter of fear rises in me. It’s not like Mum to sleep so deeply. Surely…I hold my breath as I look down at her then let it out again as I see her chest rise and fall. She’s breathing. She’s fast asleep though. There’s not a murmur from her. I take hold of her hand and am relieved that it feels warm.
I’m not sure what to do. I open the kitchen door and step inside. All spick and span. I go over to the window and look out into the garden. There’s washing blowing on the line but no sign of Alison.
She must have gone to the local shops, it’s a warm day and they’re only a short walk away. I put the bags down and go back into Mum. Still sleeping. So I take the opportunity to scout around, see what I can find. I go upstairs and open the door to Mum and George’s room. The bed has been made, there’s no clothes hanging around and the window is open to let in some fresh air. Then I notice that the bottom drawer of the dressing table is half open, that’s where Mum keeps her personal papers. She was probably looking for her passport, what a shame that she can’t go on honeymoon after all.
Hang on, Mum hasn’t been in this room since the morning of the wedding. Surely that drawer hasn’t been open all this time?
Has someone been mooching?
I walk over to the drawer and pull it out a bit more. The passport is there. I move it out of the way and something urges me to look a bit further. I take out the zipped document case where Mum keeps her will and life insurance.
I unzip it and look inside.
Both are gone.
Mum told me before she got married that she and George have agreed to keep their finances separate, and she is still leaving everything to me in her will. Maybe she’s asked George to take her papers to the solicitors for safe keeping. I go to shut the drawer then stop myself. I don’t want to alert anyone to thefact that I’ve been looking around. After all this is George’s room too now.
I go to what was my room next. Alison has established her presence already. There are some photos on the chest of drawers of her, George, Kenny and Sheila, and some personal nick knacks about. My eyes rest on the photo by her bed, a woman with dark curly hair, wrapping her arms around a young Alison and Kenny. Her mother. They look exactly as I remember them that fateful day. My head swims and I reach for the headboard for support, sinking down onto the bed. They all look so happy together, and I destroyed that.
Suddenly I hear the front door open and voices. Alison isn’t alone.
I walk over to the doorway and try to listen. If I step out any further they’ll be able to see me, as the stairs run up opposite the front door.
‘Where’s Judith?’ It’s Kenny.What’s he doing here?
I edge out a bit further.
‘In bed in the dining room. She’ll be asleep for ages,’ Alison replies.
