Juliette lifted her face to the sun coming through the trees. It had been a warm but muggy day.
‘I bet we’re not going to get many more evenings like these.’ Richard sighed. ‘It’s been a great summer. And how…how are you after the other day?’
‘Sorry, I’m not with you?’
‘In the woods.’
Juliette frowned, unsure what Richard was referring to. She looked at Sarah for further reference. Had Sarah seen her and told Richard, making something else up completely? A sense of dread crept through her.
Sarah baulked. ‘You really don’t remember?’
‘Remember what?’
‘You were in our woods the other morning,’ Richard told her.
Juliette paused. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘We wondered whether to tell you or not, but you gave us a fright and?—’
‘What exactly happened?’ She wanted to know.
‘It was six o’clock,’ Richard replied. ‘I was at the kitchen window and I saw you. You were walking towards the woods. I raced out after you. It’s a maze in there if you go off the path.’
Juliette couldn’t speak as Richard continued.
‘I found you in the clearing. You were crying.’
‘I – no. Are you sure?’
‘We both saw you, didn’t we?’ He turned to Sarah who nodded.
‘Was I in there long?’
‘About fifteen minutes. You had nothing on your feet. Do you sleepwalk?’
‘Not that I know of, unless it’s something recent.’ Juliette wasn’t going to mention the doors she’d left open during the night, among other things.
‘Our apologies for throwing this at you,’ Sarah said. ‘But we thought you’d want to know.’
‘Yes, thanks for telling me.’ Juliette could feel her skin reddening by the second. ‘Although I’d prefer it if you didn’t mention this to Danny, if you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all.’ Richard nodded. ‘Let’s keep it between us.’
‘Obviously, I’m clearly mortified about it. I’m on medication. I had no idea it was affecting me so much until recently. I came off it last week though, so hopefully this will be a one-off incident!’ Her voice went up an octave higher than she would have liked. ‘Is there anything else you need to tell me?’
‘We’ve seen you crying on several occasions, sitting on the bench you bought, but that’s to be expected.’ Sarah nodded, a half-smile on her lips.
It was all making sense now. The bench, the garden, it must have triggered something. Thank goodness Danny was coming home for good soon. She knocked back the last of the drink and put the glass down on the table. ‘I’d better be off before I shame myself any further.’
‘I’m so sorry to bring it up,’ Richard said.
‘It’s fine. But hopefully it won’t happen again.’
‘Well, I’m here if you want to chat.’ Sarah stood up sharpish, her eyes averted from Richard’s. ‘I’d better get inside. It’s nearing lunchtime.’
‘Of course.’ Now wasn’t the time to question Sarah about Richard. Now was the time to sort herself out.
Back in her home, Juliette went upstairs to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, tears pouring down her face. What was wrong with her? First theteddy bear had turned up and now she’d been walking around in her pyjamas, grieving for Emily? She couldn’t recall either of these things.
