‘I wouldn’t know, I’ve only just met your mum. Do you think your mum knew her?’
I shrug. That was a stupid question.
‘Anyway, it’s getting a bit late and this little one is fast asleep.’ She reaches to her side and pulls out a huge patchwork quilt and tosses it my way. ‘There’s a footstool there. Pull it in and get warm.’
Her husband peers around the door. ‘You okay, Zoe? Anyone need anything before I pop out?’
‘No, love. We’re okay. Tell everyone I’ll see ’em at the weekend.’
‘Will do.’
Sid leaves.
‘Did you have plans tonight?’
‘It’s nothing. We were meeting friends in Whitby for a drink. I told Sid to go without me.’
‘I guess we messed up your evening.’
‘Nonsense. I’m glad to help. As I say, the neighbours here aren’t very welcoming, so I’m going to make sure your family is okay. You shouldn’t have to wait in A&E all night.’
I check my phone and raise my brows with excitement. Zoe has Wi-Fi. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but could I use your Wi-Fi?’
‘Of course, lovely. Pass me your phone and I’ll put the password in. It can be hit and miss in this weather though.’
I pass it over, ready to connect. Zoe taps away with Cora sleeping across her, then she passes it back to me. I’m connected, so I WhatsApp Dad, desperate to know how Mum is doing, then I message Mai but she isn’t online. Disappointment city – if ever I needed a friend it’s now. It’s like Mai has forgotten about me now that I’ve left Bristol.
Dad messages back.
Mum in with doctor now. I don’t know what’s happening yet. I’ll be home as soon as I can. Are you and Cora okay?
I reassure him that Zoe is looking after us and not to rush. It’s time for me to step up and be grown up in this situation and not moan about having to look out for Cora. It’s an emergency and I’m going to take the pressure off my parents as much as possible. I don’t want him to leave Mum alone. She needs him. Another message pings up. It’s Harry.
It’s Mum, she’s got really drunk and I don’t know what to do with her. She mumbled something about Jasmine and then said that they are coming for her next. I asked her who ‘they’ are and she shut herself in her studio and she won’t come out. I’m worried, Morgan. What if someone is going to hurt her?
Forty-One
Morgan
Zoe has popped upstairs to get changed, leaving me alone in her snug with only the sound of the roaring fire to break the silence. She comes back down in a pair of thick joggers and a sweater. I quickly reply to Harry.
I’m at Zoe’s. Mum been rushed to hospital. Can we meet? I’ll see if Zoe can watch Cora for ten minutes?
I need to fill him in on what Zoe told me about Ray and his son wanting our house. We now have a motive for Ray being the culprit. I also need to come clean to Harry and tell him that I’ve seen the Klara notebook that his mum has in her bag, and that I have a notebook that is marked up with Jasmine’s name. I’m sure Great-Aunt Dorette knew what happened to Jasmine and that drawing of the character sitting on a log ties in with the letter that Zoe received. I wonder if I can trust Harry with this information, then I think, I don’t have a choice. I need to trust someone or I’ll lose my mind in this sad, claustrophobic cul-de-sac.
Why isn’t he answering? I wait for my phone to beep while I smile at Zoe, hoping that she can’t see all the thoughts running through my mind. I bite the skin on the inside of my mouth. Zoe could get into trouble if I say too much. She might lose her work and she cleans for Quinn. Zoe gently tucks a blanket around Cora. I don’t know what to do. Come on, Harry. Reply already, will you?
I turn my phone on and check for the blue ticks, but all I see is ‘message not delivered’. The Wi-Fi has gone down. I think of Harry alone in his house with his drunken mother. This is where I need to step up and be a friend.
‘Zoe, Harry just messaged me. Do you mind sitting with Cora while I pop to see him quickly?’ I watch Cora’s chest rise and fall as she sprawls on the smaller sofa. She won’t wake up for ages.
‘Of course, but be careful, okay? There are some oddballs on this lane. Go straight to Harry and Quinn’s. Here’s my front door key.’ She takes the key from the coffee table and hands it to me. ‘I don’t want to risk leaving Cora in case she falls off the sofa. Just let yourself back in.’
‘Thanks, Zoe.’
I put my coat back on and hurry along the hall and out of the front door, gripping the key between my fingers. I feel as though I need a weapon.
As I step onto the freshly fallen snow, it crunches. I take big strides up Zoe’s long, winding drive, and I glance across at Clover House. It looks imposing and that balcony makes me shiver. I wish my parents had at least gathered up the police tape that has wound around some of the broken spindles. Death happened on that balcony. I peer up at Ray’s bedroom window and for once he isn’t spying on our every move. His house is in darkness. Halfway down Quinn’s drive, I hear shouting coming from inside. I can’t make out what’s being said. Once I’m close enough, I open the letterbox and hope that Diggerty doesn’t give me away by barking at the door. Is Harry crying? I go to knock, but they start talking.
