She let out a squeal so piercing he was sure his eardrums must be bleeding. ‘I got a fairyanda daddy in the same day? Just wait until I tell Auntie Nee-nee!’ And then she ran off in the direction of the exit, all thoughts of further fairy hunting forgotten.
Ben walked behind her, calling out now and again to make sure she didn’t get too far ahead, and as he walked he took in the weathered peaks of the mountains, the dense green of the pine trees. He could see the grey stone and slate of the majestic castle turrets rising before him and smell a hint of salt on the air as it blew in from the loch, and he realised what else was making him feel light inside: for the first time in his life, maybe, he was happy to be home.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Now.
‘YOU WERE AMAZING in there!’
Lili turned to see her sister striding down the courthouse corridor towards her and gave Lo a weak smile. They should have attended a hearing regarding her application for the non-molestation order against Justin while she’d been missing, but her solicitor had managed to explain her unexpected absence and reschedule. Today had been the day.
‘I mean, you were calm, clear …veryconvincing.’ Lo wrapped her arms around Lili and squeezed tight.
‘I didn’t feel very calm and clear,’ she mumbled against her sister’s shoulder.
‘But the judge granted the order. She believed you. Justin can’t come near you again, or he’ll be arrested.’
Some of the tension Lili had been feeling all day ebbed away. It was wonderful to hear someone say those words out loud. ‘It’s just the beginning, though,’ she said. ‘I’ve decided I’m going to join some of the other women who’ve come forward and press charges. For the stalking and harassment since we separated for sure. The coercive control while we were married …? Well, even though the laws have changed, it might not fly.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Lo said, releasing her. ‘I’m proud of you for even trying. It’s like I’ve come back from honeymoon to find a whole new you!’
They began to walk towards the exit. ‘I think the intensive therapy has been helping, but … I don’t know … it’s not just that. I know I can’t remember anything from the time I was missing, and I have no idea what I did, but I feel different. It feels like something has shaken free, Lo. It’s as if part of me remembers it even if I don’t.’
Lo gave her a strange look. ‘I know it’s early, but I think you deserve a cocktail – my treat!’
‘Where on earth are we going to get a cocktail down Bromley High Street on a Thursday afternoon?’
But Lo being Lo, they found somewhere, a hip little bar tucked away down a side street that did food as well. When they’d worked their way through one espresso martini each and most of a plate of nachos, Lo said. ‘Are you serious about wanting to know what happened while you were away?’
Lili scooped up the last remaining bit of guacamole with the corner of a tortilla chip. ‘Of course. It’s most unsettling to feel as if there’s a great black hole in my brain where some of my memories should be. Every day I wake up and I get this vague sense that something’s missing, like my brain is trying to tell me there’s something important I need to know, and I wonder if those missing days are the key.’
Lo nodded seriously, and then she reached into her handbag and produced an old iPhone. ‘This was found in the ladies’ toilet at the wedding venue. They sent it on. It arrived while I was away.’
Lili glanced at the phone. ‘So?’
‘It’s yours.’
Lili laughed nervously. ‘No, it isn’t. I just got a new one, actually, to replace the one I lost on the way to Scotland.’
‘It’s definitely yours,’ Lo said, holding it out. ‘I saw you with it when you came back. Someone gave it to you to use when you were missing.’
Lili took the phone from her sister. ‘But you’ve been back from honeymoon for almost two weeks. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?’
‘To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should give it to you. I was tempted just to hide it and never say anything. I’ve been in full-on Mamma Bear mode since we found you again, if you hadn’t noticed.’
Lili gave her sister’s arm a rub and chuckled. Yes, she had noticed, but this was why she loved Lo.
‘Anyway,’ Lo continued, looking down into her lap, ‘when your memories came back, I made a decision that I’m now second-guessing. I wonder if maybe I was being overprotective, even a bit controlling – and that’s thelastthing you need after Justin. And then I saw how strong you were today and I realised I wasn’t giving you enough credit.’
‘Wh-what’s on it?’ Now her wish had been granted, she realised she was nervous and curious in equal parts.
‘Everything. You did a really comprehensive job of documenting it all. Open the camera roll and go back a bit.’
Lili did what she was told, scrolling back to images dating from just after she’d disappeared. There were a few pictures of pine-clad mountains and then one of a little girl with pigtails and an irresistible gap-toothed grin. ‘Who’s this?’
Lo shrugged. ‘Absolutely no idea.’
There was a video of the same little girl, spinning around in a grassy clearing, and then a picture of a road sign:Welcome to Invergarrig.Lili frowned. That name was familiar for some reason. ‘This is where I ended up?’
