‘So when she went missing, what did you do?’
‘I didn’t know until you got in touch. I just thought she didn’t need me, like he said.’
‘And you never checked?’
‘I had no need to.’ Suzanne grimaced. ‘I wish I had now though.’
‘And Richard, have you seen him at all?’
‘No, nor do I want to. But if I find out he’s done anything to harm Louisa, I’ll rip him apart limb by limb.’
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Sarah watched as Richard came into the living room and sat across from her. Something hung heavy in the air. She waited for him to speak, praying he hadn’t somehow spotted that the box with Louisa’s belongings had gone missing.
‘Things are getting out of hand,’ he spoke eventually. ‘Juliette’s getting a little too close for my liking.’
‘What makes you think that?’ She trod carefully. ‘Has she said something?’
‘Not in as many words.’
Sarah was confused. Richard shouldn’t know about Juliette speaking to people, if that’s what he was referring to. How would he have found out? Unless someone had spoken to him?
Then she went cold. Had Richard got access to a social media account? Had he seen what Juliette was up to? She looked over at him, his brow furrowing as hewas deep in thought. He didn’t seem annoyed enough for that. Besides, he’d have to be good to search out where Juliette had been looking, although she knew she was using her own name.
‘What shall we do?’
‘I’m not sure. I’m going to think about it.’
‘If you’re that concerned, why don’t we invite her and Danny around for a meal, to see exactly what they know?’ she ventured, thinking back to Juliette’s suggestion.
He turned to her then and she tried not to shrink under his stare.
‘Don’t you think that’s risky?’ he said eventually.
‘Possibly, but like you say, we have to do something.’
After a moment’s thought, Richard nodded before standing up. ‘Text Juliette, see if they’re free this weekend.’
Once Richard had left the room, Sarah let out a sigh. She checked her watch: half past one. There were a few hours before she’d have to think about dinner. She’d better not waste a minute.
She cooked fish fingers and beans and cut the crusts off a round of bread and butter. Then she popped the meal on a tray along with a glass of orange juice and an apple. Steadily she went upstairs, trying not to spill the liquid.
Inside her bedroom, Daisy turned to her with a smile. She had Richard’s eyes, but the hair colouring was light to his dark. Like her sister Louisa’s.
She stepped inside, the child knowing better than to try to get out. Conditioned to life with just the three of them for the past year had made her even more compliant, considering. She was a pleasant child, none the worse for it in Sarah’s opinion. And it wouldn’t be for long now.
The room was hot: she must remember to open a window before she left.
‘There you are, poppet,’ she said. ‘Auntie Sarah’s here with your lunch.’
Sarah picked up the carving knife she’d hidden inside a napkin and while Daisy tucked into her food, she discreetly popped it on top of the wardrobe. It was the third one she’d managed to hide around the house over the past few hours.
Juliette had collected Danny from the station and was in the kitchen when he joined her after taking a shower. The text message from Sarah with confirmation of their meeting had come through.
‘Richard has invited us next door for a meal tomorrow,’ she said, trying to sound casual about it. ‘I wasn’t sure if I’d be up for it or not, but he’s said he’ll show you his studio and I know how much you’re dying to see what he’s working on.’
‘I’d prefer a night in just the two of us.’ Danny came up behind her and gave her a hug. ‘What did you say?’
