The Woman Who Lied(34)
She knows he feels powerless, that Elliot is at his best when he’s fixing things, helping in some way, however small. She gets how frustrating this must be for him because he can’t do anything to stop it or to make her feel better, despite all the cameras and the security. If anything it’s making her feel worse. If they didn’t have that app on their phones she would have been blissfully unaware that someone was roaming around their garden last night. But, no, she can’t think like that. Better to be prepared. Goosebumps pop up on her arms at the thought of someone outside last night. How long had they been there? Had they been watching them through the shadows in the garden as they snuggled on the sofa, her in her flimsy nightie, her legs draped over her husband? They need to get blinds for those doors. She’ll contact some places. She needs to keep busy too.
She pushes aside her toast. Since all this began her once healthy appetite has diminished. She’s already lost four pounds – she’d usually be elated at this, but she hates the constant sick sensation in the pit of her stomach. ‘It’s the thought of someone lurking around outside,’ she murmurs.
Elliot pulls his hand away and continues eating. He swallows. ‘I know. I think you should tell this detective, whatshisname …’
‘Haddock.’
‘Yes, let him know. Maybe we could give him the footage. I know it’s not very clear, but they might have some special system that will pick up what we’ve missed.’ He shrugs. ‘I don’t know. It’s worth a try.’
‘Good idea.’ She wonders whether or not to voice her worst fears.
‘What is it?’
‘I’m worried they’ll break in. Hurt me or, worse, the kids.’
His eyes soften. ‘I don’t think that will happen. They had the opportunity when I was away. And I know they messed around with the skylights but they didn’t get in. And now we have the alarms. If someone tries to break in the alarms will alert the security team, who will alert the police.’ He gathers up his empty bowl and her plate and takes them to the sink. She watches the muscles in his shoulders that show through his tight jumper as he tips her uneaten toast into the food recycling. He’s fit, strong. He’ll go to the ends of the earth to protect her. She knows that. This knowledge gives her strength. He stands at the island facing her. ‘Whoever’s doing this is just enjoying taunting you and messing with your head. Don’t let them.’
Is he really that unconcerned or is he downplaying it to make her feel less anxious? She’s always felt her superpower is reading people, knowing their moods, how to respond to them based on their personality, but even right from the beginning of their relationship, she’s found it hard to read him.
‘I’m going to get dressed,’ she says, pushing back her chair. She walks out of the room knowing Elliot’s eyes are on her.
She’s just showered and changed into jeans and a jumper when she gets the phone call. She doesn’t recognize the number and wonders if it’s Gina Osbourne again. She has already left another message asking about the interview but Emilia hasn’t returned her call.
‘Is this Mrs Emilia Rathbone?’ asks the woman. She has a very posh voice, almost like it’s put on. ‘Mother of Jasmine Perry?’
Her first thought is that it’s the school but then she remembers it’s a Saturday and she tenses. ‘Speaking.’
‘I’m sorry to inform you that your daughter has been involved in a serious accident and is currently in West Middlesex Hospital.’
Horror washes over Emilia. ‘What? How?’ Jasmine had stayed last night at Nancy’s.
‘I’m afraid I don’t have all the details at present, Mrs Rathbone. But please come to the hospital as soon as you can.’
‘Where … Which ward?’
‘The hospital reception will direct you when you arrive.’ The call clicks off and Emilia stands in the middle of her bedroom, frozen for a few seconds, her blood pounding in her ears. Then she rushes down the stairs calling Elliot’s name.
‘What is it?’ He darts into the hallway.
‘It’s Jas. I’ve just had a call from a hospital. She’s had some kind of accident … Oh, God – I can’t breathe!’ She bends over, gasping, and Elliot has his hands on her back.
‘Calm down. We’ll go to the hospital now. Wilf,’ he calls. Wilfie wanders out of the den, still holding his PS5 controller. ‘Get in the car, bud. Your sister has had an accident.’
Wilfie is still in his pyjamas but he does as he’s told, his little face crumpled with worry as he puts his controller down on the bench in the hallway and begins pulling on a pair of trainers and a jacket.
Elliot helps Emilia into her coat, then leads her and Wilfie to the car. ‘Right. Give Nancy’s mum, whatshername …’
‘Marcie.’
‘Give Marcie a ring and find out what’s going on.’
She clicks on her seatbelt, then picks up her phone from her lap, praying silently over and over again Please, God, let her be okay. Please let her be okay. Her hands are trembling as she scrolls to Marcie’s number while Elliot reverses out of their driveway and sets off towards the hospital.
Marcie answers the phone, sounding chipper. ‘Hey, Em, how are the girls getting on? I hope they haven’t kept you up half the night nattering.’