‘What was Alison doing by the garages?’ I ask Nick when George has ended the call. ‘This all sounds very suspicious to me. You don’t think she was meeting someone and was attacked, do you?’
‘Wow! That’s a big leap of imagination, Lizzie,’ Nick says quickly. ‘Perhaps she took a walk to the shops – the shortcut is down the side of the garages remember? And the pathway is very uneven with lots of cracks. Her heels might have got stuck in acrack and broke, causing her to trip. I’m sure the police would say if they had any suspicions otherwise.’ He rubs the patch of skin between his eyebrows, looking agitated.
He’s right. But it still seems a bit off to me. And it means that there’s no one to look after Mum, I suddenly realise. I’m still not convinced that someone isn’t drugging her, the exhaustion she’s suffering seems too much. Mum even thinks so, too.
Thoughts hurtle into my mind. What if George is the culprit? I know he’s in financial trouble. Mum planned to see the solicitor when she came back from Prague, to update her will and make it clear that the sole beneficiary was me, but because of the accident she probably hasn’t been able to do that yet. Without it, would George, as her husband, be the beneficiary?
Kenny is too young to remember me, and doesn’t know the truth of that day, so has no motive. What about Sheila? She was the matriarch of the family until Mum came along, now the family is split. Kenny is moving out soon, too, so does she feel that Mum has deprived her of the only family she has?
I make up my mind.
‘Nick, I have to go and stay with Mum until Alison is out of hospital. I can’t leave her there alone.’ I jump up, ready to get my things and go.
Nick looks surprised. ‘She isn’t alone. George is there and I’m sure Kenny will drop Sheila over to stay with Judith if he can’t get cover for the shop.’
‘She needs me! I’ve got to be with her, Nick. And you’re working from home so you can look after the kids, can’t you?’ I tell him. ‘It’s only until Alison comes out of hospital.’
He frowns, clearly not liking the idea. ‘Are you sure that’s necessary? I’m worried about you, you’re struggling as it is. I’d prefer you to be here where I can look after you. The kids need you too.’
‘They have you,’ I point out. ‘And Mum’s practically immobile. She can hardly do anything for herself.’
I can’t bear the thought of Mum being helpless with no one to turn to. I don’t trust George, Kenny or Sheila and I know Nick thinks I’m being paranoid. He’s always irritatingly logical.
‘I understand that you’re concerned, but I’m worried about you, Lizzie. You’re coping with enough.’
He doesn’t sayyou’re losing the plotbut I’m sure that’s what he’s thinking.
‘I have to do this. Mum needs help with intimate things. I’ve got to go.’ I can feel the panic welling inside me. ‘If I don’t go, I’ll only fret more.’
He nods reluctantly. ‘If you feel you must then of course I won’t stop you. I wish I could come over with you, but the kids are in bed asleep.’
‘I’ll speak to the kids on FaceTime in the morning, explain to them that I need to look after Nanny. They’ll understand.’
I hurry upstairs to pack a few things, fear giving flight to my heels. Too much is happening. I need to make sure Mum is all right.
I grab my overnight bag and start putting my nightwear, change of clothes, makeup and a few toiletries in it.
When I go back downstairs, Nick hugs me. ‘Phone me and let me know how everything is. And if you need me, call me. Anytime. Even if it’s in the middle of the night. Promise?’
‘I will. Thank you.’ I wrap my arms around him and he holds me close. Then I grab my overnight bag and set off for Mum’s.
As I pull up in the drive I pause for a moment, staring at the house where I grew up. It looks quiet and peaceful, but danger could be lurking inside. I know I’ve made the right decision tostay with Mum, though I’m worried about Isaac and Grace, too. What if someone sneaks into our house again?
I shake my head. They won’t. I think the reason they did that was to frame Nick, to cause trouble between us both, which hasn’t worked. And maybe it was Alison, I’ll ask her when she comes home. Besides, Nick is there and he adores the kids. He won’t let anything happen to them.
Whereas Mum has no one to look out for her, and I can’t risk anything happening to her. I’ve already lost my dad. I’m not going to risk losing my mum too.
63
LIZZIE
George comes out of the living room and blinks in surprise as I walk in, carrying my overnight bag. ‘Hello, Lizzie, have you come to stay?’
‘Yes. I’m going to look after my mum while Alison is in hospital,’ I tell him. ‘Then you won’t have to worry about her while you go to visit Alison or to work.’
‘That’s very kind of you, dear, but there’s really no need. Sheila is coming over tomorrow to help. You have enough to do and your children need you.’
‘Nick is working from home for a few days so he can look after the kids,’ I say.
