“Mrs Blackburn… Claire… I’m sorry but I need you to go to the police and tell them that you’re alive.” I exhale through my teeth. “My stepmother doesn’t deserve this, and I think deep down you know that. You know that your actions have had consequences.”
She nods but says nothing.
“I’m going to give them a call. Is that okay?”
“Wait.” Her voice is urgent. “What if they can’t help me? I can’t go home, I can’t risk him finding me.”
“So, what? You’re just going to hide here forever?” My tone is harsher than I would like but I’m losing patience. This woman has completely messed with Faye’s life and let the police point the finger at her.
She sighs as she contemplates her next move.
“I’m sorry for everything, I really was desperate.”
“Well, that was then and this is now. It’s over. And the only way to make sure that your stepson is apprehended and that you are safe, is to call the police. They are the only ones who can help you get your life back.”
She nods.
“I never wanted it to be this way. I didn’t want to meet my twin like this for the first time.” She sniffs and raises the tissue to her nose.
“No, I’m sure you didn’t. And I can say for damn certain that Faye wouldn’t want any of this!”
I pick up my phone to dial the police and rise from the sofa. As I get up, I catch my reflection in the dark window, curtains still pulled back. It’s getting late and a sudden thought stops me.
Faye should be home by now.
She and Alistair aren’t speaking and it’s too late for Faye to visit her mother.
If she’s not here, then where the hell is she?
CHAPTER 50
THE GRAVEDIGGER
He sits on the cellar steps listening to her muffled screams. It isn’t his stepmother down there, but he can pretend it is. The thought makes his heart thump happily.
He stands, stretching his body, still sore from carrying Penny into the house, and makes his way upstairs. Dina is waiting for him.
They kiss deeply, fuelled by the adrenaline of the past few hours. He sits and pulls Dina onto his lap. She has the TV on some reality TV channel, the volume turned up to hide any of Faye’s louder screams.
“What’s going on down there?” Dina asks.
He smiles. “Faye can’t strop screaming since I dumped Penny in there. I stuffed her mouth with a sock and taped it.”
At the mention of Penny’s name, Dina huffs and slides off his lap.
“I still don’t understand why that whore has to be here.”
“Collateral,” he says, turning his attention back to the television.
Dina’s jealousy is unattractive, in fact it repulses him. Nobody has a right to say what he does or who he does. He’s drilled this into her over the years, but perhaps she needs reminding. For now, charm is his most effective method of control.
“You need to trust me, my love.” He strokes the back of her neck and looks deep into her eyes.
“I do,” she replies, unconvincingly.
“Good.” He kisses her lightly on the mouth. “So, everything’s ready for the morning? Did you get that cash to get us started?”
“Yes.” She turns away. “But we won’t need to spend it, will we? It’s everything I have.”
