‘I’ll be fine. I want some fresh air,’ Mum says.
‘I’ll load the washing machine then I’ll make you both a hot drink.’ Alison heads off back to the house.
‘I need to say this quickly before she comes back out.’ Mum holds my hands, her eyes fixed on my face. ‘Lizzie, darling, the woman who died on that school trip all those years ago was George’s wife, Carol. Alison and Kenny’s mother. I found out a few days ago, Sheila told me the details of how Carol died, the amusement park they were at, and the date and venue match.’ She rubs my hands gently. ‘I wanted to tell you before you learnt from anyone else because I know it will come as a shock and will bring everything back.’
I gulp and nod. ‘I know, Mum. I recognised Alison right away. And I think she recognises me.’
Mum looks flabbergasted. ‘Then why on earth haven’t either of you mentioned it?’
I swallow. I should have told Mum this years ago. I have no idea how she’s going to take it now.
‘There’s something you don’t know,’ I say. I glance over my shoulder towards the house to make sure Alison is still inside. Then I tell Mum all about the part I played in Carol’s death.
She looks shocked, and my heart plunges to my feet. I squeeze my eyes tight feeling the panic rising. This is why I didn’t tell her.
Then I feel the warmth of her hands as she wraps them around mine, and I open my eyes. Her face is full of sympathy, her voice tender. ‘Oh Lizzie, have you been blaming yourself for this all these years? It wasn’t your fault, darling. You couldn’t possibly have known what would happen.’
Relief gushes through me and for a moment I can’t speak. When I find my voice again I say, ‘I think Alison blames me for it though. She knows I was eating peanut butter sandwiches. I think she guessed at some point that the crusts were mine, or someone else saw me do it and told her. That’s why she’s trying to keep me away from you. And I think she’s making you ill toget her own back. Because I was the one who caused her mum to die.’
Mum looks at me and I wait for the words ‘Lizzie, darling, you’re being paranoid again.’ Instead she nods her head slowly.
‘You might be right. After what you’ve told me things are finally making sense.’ She raises her eyes to mine. ‘Please don’t tell anyone else about this, Lizzie. We need to think carefully what to do. I fear that someone is putting something in my food to make me feel drowsy.’
I gape at her. As I mentioned, I’d been suspecting that Alison was doing something of the sort, but now Mum thinks it too I’m positive that’s what’s happening. I hug her tight. ‘I think you should come home with me. You’ll be safer there.’
But I remember the peanut butter and the unlocked back door and how I suspected Alison of sneaking Mum’s key to our house and letting herself in. It seems even more probable now.
Maybe Mum isn’t her only target. Maybe Alison’s trying to destroy both of us.
46
JUDITH
‘Alison is making us a drink right now. I might be able to catch her red-handed.’ Lizzie springs up and rushes over to the back door.
‘What the hell are you putting in my mum’s drink?’ I hear her shout.
I grip the arm of the chair for support. So we were right. Sadness and fear wash over me. I liked Alison. I trusted her.
I grab my walker and slowly make my way over the grass, cursing myself for being such an invalid. When I reach the kitchen doorway I see Lizzie and Alison facing each other. Lizzie has her fists clenched by her side, looking furious, and Alison is holding a bottle of sweetener.
‘This is my drink, and I always have sweetener instead of sugar,’ Alison says icily.
‘What’s going on?’ I stand in the doorway, supported by my walker.
‘She’s trying to hurt you, Mum. Just like we thought.’
‘What?’ Alison exclaims. She turns to look at me. ‘You both think I’m drugging you? Why? Why would you think that?’
‘Because she’s so tired and woozy headed all the time, she feels like she’s being drugged,’ Lizzie replies before I can gather my thoughts.
‘God, Lizzie, you’re so paranoid. I can’t believe you’re accusing me of such a terrible thing. All I’ve done is care for your mum.’ She looks at me with wounded eyes. ‘I thought we got on. I thought you trusted me. Why on earth would I drug you?’
She looks so hurt and bewildered that I wonder if she’s right and I’ve been swept away by Lizzie’s suspicions.
‘Because you want to get back at me! You’re playing with my head and even trying to cause trouble between me and Nick.’ Lizzie glares at her. ‘And don’t deny it, you’re always messaging him to come over. I bet you’re the one who bought the peanut butter, sneaked Mum’s keys and put it in our cupboard.’
‘What? This is ridiculous! Why would I do all that, Lizzie?’ Alison demands.
