‘I can’t. Richard will smooth talk anyone who interferes and then I get punished for it,’ she said. ‘I have to get the evidence.’ Sarah looked up at her. ‘I want to go, but I can’t leave Daisy. Besides, I’d have to flee the country so he couldn’t find me and he’s taken my passport. And Daisy isn’t my daughter so I don’t have one for her.’
Juliette had to admit that the child seemed content and in no particular danger. She didn’t appear to becoming to any harm, so for now she would bide her time.
She would give Sarah a fortnight, until Richard went out for the day again, to search out the information she needed to find Louisa and then she could decide when to go to the police.
And until then she wasn’t telling a soul, not even Danny.
CHAPTER THIRTY
That stupid bitch.
That’s the thing with living in a small village. Everyone knows everyone’s business.
But in actual fact, most people don’t see what goes on right under their noses as they’re too busy trying to compete with each other.
For a whole year, we’ve kept our secret safe. And then someone moves in next door and all our planning goes to pot.
It’s quite tiresome playing the nice neighbour. It’s terribly wearing to be civil all the time, even when I’m playing tricks on Juliette. You see, she’s the weakest link in the puzzle and if I can convince her that she’s seeing and hearing things, then it’s a bit like playing wolf, isn’t it? No one will believe her if she does see or hear more than she should.
Of course, I’ve got to be careful that the police aren’t brought into all of this. If they start poking their nose in where it’s not wanted, it will make things veryawkward.
This can still work. We just need to plan more meticulously.
And, really, having Juliette next door might just work out in our favour.
PART TWO
Two years ago
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Louisa had exhausted herself cooking Richard a Sunday dinner. He insisted on all the trimmings and that they were home-made. She’d baked an apple pie too, even though she’d felt giddy on her legs several times. It was as if she couldn’t stand the heat in the kitchen. She hoped he’d enjoy it as much as it had taken out of her.
But as he sat down at the table across from her, not even a smile or a thank you for the effort, she wondered why she even bothered to think otherwise.
‘You look rough,’ he said between mouthfuls of food.
Tears pricked her eyes. ‘I didn’t get much sleep last night.’
‘I know. You kept me awake with your tossing and turning.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘I’ve been thinking. We should hire a nanny.’
‘A nanny?’ She put down her cutlery. ‘Are you saying that I’m not a good mother?’
‘I just feel that you need some extra support with Daisy when things get on top of you.’
‘But I’m okay now. I feel much better.’ She pushed herself up from the chair. ‘Look, I’m up and about and I’m walking more. I went for a stroll around the garden this morning. Daisy loved it and?—’
‘I’m going to put an advertisement out locally, see if anyone comes forward.’
‘I don’tneedhelp.’
‘If you think back to how you’ve been lately, you’ll see that you do. You might be feeling better at the moment but what about next week and the week after? We can’t be having poor Daisy cooped up forever. She needs to get out with people.’
‘Youaresaying I’m a bad mother.’
