‘I bumped into Mike this afternoon,’ I say, hoping what he said might put her in a better mood.
Darcy’s face leaches of colour for a moment. ‘You saw Mike?’
I nod. ‘I think you might have got things wrong, Darcy. He said he wants you back.’ Maybe this is the news she’s been waiting for. The news that will make her happier.
‘Mike said that? To you?’
I nod. ‘He asked me to pop over to his place this evening – just for a quick chat. If you want me to pass on a message, or put in a good word for you?’
‘You’re going to see my husband?’ she says, her voice icy.
‘He seemed so upset, Darcy. I think he really wants to get back with you. That’s good news isn’t it?’
‘You don’t know what you’re talking about, Louisa,’ she hisses. ‘And if you don’t mind, I’d rather you stayed out of my business.’
I can’t believeshe’stelling me to stay out ofherbusiness.
‘Oh,’ she adds, tilting her head, ‘and I take it you’re the one behind Jared telling me he’s “too busy” to run any more. I thought you were my friend. After everything I’ve done for you. I didn’t realise you could be such a bitch.’
‘What!’ My mouth falls open and I shake my head. ‘I’m not… I’m only trying to—’
‘Just leave my husband alone, Louisa!’ Her voice is so loud that some of the other parents and teachers turn to look from Darcy to me. Darcy now has tears in her eyes and I don’t believe for one minute that they’re genuine. This display is purely to make me look bad in front of everyone.
‘Darcy,’ I say, through gritted teeth. ‘I’m just trying to help—’
‘Like hell. First, your son starts bullying Tyler,’ she cries, ‘and now you’re sneaking around with my husband. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I need you to leave me and my family alone!’
Heat floods my cheeks and I glance about for a friendly face. All I’m met with is embarrassed glances, confusion and open hostility.
‘Darce, are you okay?’ A petite lady with a designer puppy in her arms steps over to Darcy with concern in her eyes.
Darcy chokes back a sob and nods. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she says, bringing her hands up to her face.
Yet more people approach her, and she’s soon swept away in a secure cocoon of sympathetic parents, leaving me standing alone in the fading light on the edge of the playground. My mouth hangs open, confusion and anger clouding my mind. Her bright hair swings as she lurches away from me, gradually surrounded by a gaggle of reassuring mums. They shoot dark looks my way, throwing their arms around Darcy’s hunched shoulders as they lean in with comforting words.
What the hell just happened?
Twenty-Two
I’m sitting on the sofa in the lounge hugging my knees to my chest. The curtains are drawn. A moth hurls itself at the table lamp which is doing its best to cast a comforting glow, but I’m too shaken up to feel anywhere near comfortable. There’s a hard knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat as I mentally play back the events of this afternoon.
After standing awkwardly in the playground for what seemed like forever, enduring the stares and whispers of the other parents, Joe’s class finally came out. I collected him in a shocked daze, barely able to focus on any of his excited chatter about his class assembly. Thankfully, Joe didn’t seem to be upset that I hadn’t been in the audience. Somehow, I got him home. I remember very little about the journey back, my emotions wildly swinging between distress and anger. I’m only thankful I didn’t crash the car.
I managed to get him into bed early tonight. Now, I’m waiting for Jared to get home so I can tell him about my awful experience with Darcy today. At least I know it’s not me being paranoid any more. She’s unhinged. She’s a liar. And she’s been trying to destroy my life for weeks. I should have listened to my gut right from the start. The question is,why? Why has she been gunning for me all this time? Did I do something wrong? Did I offend her in some way? Is she a deranged person who behaves like this with everyone? Or, am I missing something?
I’m really not sure I should go over to Mike’s this evening. I think it would probably be better if I just stayed the hell away from all the Lanes. I’m seriously considering pulling Joe out of Cerne Manor and putting him back in his old school. How can I walk back into that playground when all the mums think I’m some kind of husband-stealer? The looks on their faces this afternoon… it was awful.
The radiators hiss and the pipes gurgle. The house is warm, yet my hands and feet are icy cold. I cross my arms and slot my hands under my armpits to try to defrost them. Jared’s key turns in the lock but I don’t move from the sofa. I don’t want our evening to be marred by another conversation about Darcy. And yet I have to tell my husband what happened. I need his support in this.
‘Hey?’ Jared calls. The front door bangs and his keys land with a clatter on the hall table.
‘In here!’ I call, hearing the listless tone in my voice.
His head pops around the door. ‘Hey.’
‘Hi.’
‘How you doing?’
