‘I can see that.’
‘I don’t want to scare you, and of course bad things happen to people all the time, and that doesn’t mean you should live your life looking round corners, it’s just, something about today doesn’t smell right. I can feel it. I think I’m going to talk to Daniel about it; ask him if there’s anything we can do legally. An injunction or something. We should have called the police earlier today. I’ll text Katie and ask her if he’s around to chat in the morning.’
He reaches into his pocket for his mobile, fires off a message to his sister and then throws the phone on the sofa and stares back down at his plate. ‘We should eat our food.’
‘I don’t really feel massively hungry any more.’
‘Me neither. Do you still want to watch a movie?’
I hesitate. ‘I think I might just go to bed and read, actually.’
He nods. ‘I won’t be long. I’ll lock up.’
* * *
I opt for a well-thumbed comfort book, but don’t really take any of it in; I’m too busy thinking about what Ed said about the woman doing a dummy run to her victim’s house before coming back for more… Thankfully, Dad texts me to ask how the viewings went, which is a welcome five second distraction from that deeply disturbing train of thought, although I’m deliberately vague with my reply because I don’t want to worry him. I simply say we won’t be going back for second viewings, which has got to be understatement of the decade. Laurel texts too, checking if everything is OK after we got cut off earlier? She assumes my battery died, and she didn’t want to call back straight away as she knew we were just about to eat. I message her that I’m fine. If I tell her Simon was here, there is no doubt that she’ll ring instantly – and I don’t want to go through it all again, not right now.
Instead, I turn over to go to sleep, but I still have too much adrenaline in my system: all I can think about is Simon stood on our doorstep, Louise rushing up the hall towards me… and Beth reaching up and asking me to hug her goodbye…
I only manage to doze fitfully until Ed comes to bed, but then later in the night I dream I can hear a child crying and calling ‘Mummy!’ in a house I don’t recognise. I know I have to get to them – they are in danger – but as I burst from room to empty room, the crying by turns becomes louder and then more distant, then louder again… until Ed nudges me and tells me James has woken up and is calling for me. Do I want him to go instead?
Sitting in the dark on the armchair next to my son’s cot, rocking his slightly feverish small body in my arms and singing softly as he tries to get back to sleep after some Calpol, I stare at the dark stairwell in front of me, and my mind goes from 0–60 in under five seconds. Suppose Simon has foolishly led Louise right to us? I imagine her creeping around the quiet rooms below, only to finally approach the stairs; one foot softly placing onto the step, then another, and another… I tighten my grip on James.
If this is just the start and my unwittingly walking into her house today has unleashed something in Louise, she should know that I am a different woman.
This time, I will not fail to protect my family.
This time, I won’t make any mistakes.
* * *
James is still unwell in the morning, with enough of a raised temperature for us to reluctantly cancel a planned lunch at Ed’s parents. Instead we stay at home and watch an unhealthy amount of Swashbuckle and Justin’s House, in an attempt to get James to stay still and give himself a chance to get better. Ed does speak to his brother-in-law about Louise though. We discover that under the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997, there is a case for a section 4A charge if a course of conduct causes a victim ‘serious alarm or distress’ and the defendant’s behaviour has a ‘substantial adverse effect on the day-to-day activities of the victim’. It is disheartening, however, to also learn the Act says I must have experienced at least two incidents, and the claim would have to be made within six years of when the harassment happened.
‘Dan did say we could go over this afternoon and talk it through with him if we want?’ suggests Ed. ‘Although he doesn’t think there’s much we can do.’
I stroke our son’s head as he sits on my lap, lolling against me and concentrating on the TV screen. ‘James really isn’t well enough to go out, and I certainly don’t want to pass on whatever he might have to their kids. Kate won’t thank us. I could stay here and you go, if you like?’
Ed shakes his head. ‘I don’t want you in the house on your own at the moment. I’m sorry if it freaks you out to hear that, but it’s true. I can’t work from home tomorrow, but I’ve spoken to Mum and Dad, and they’re expecting you at theirs any time from 9 a.m. I’ve just said you’re behind on a book deadline and need them to help with James. So I’m going to leave here at half eight, the same time as you. James will be well enough in the morning for that, I’m sure.’
‘That’s very kind of you all,’ I say slowly. ‘But that arrangement isn’t going to be practical on a long-term basis, is it? You can’t just—’
Ed holds up a hand. ‘We can do it tomorrow though, and I just need a bit of time to work out how best to play this going forward. I’ve got a couple of ideas; I just need to mull them over and maybe make a few calls.’
I stare at him confused. ‘I have no idea what that means. A “few calls” to who?’
‘Don’t worry,’ he reassures me. ‘I’m not going to do anything without talking to you about it first.’
‘OK,’ I say slowly. ‘It’d help if I phoned the estate agents in the morning to talk to them about giving out our address then, would it? You’re going to have enough to do by the sound of it.’ I absolutely want to make clear to them that they must never do something like this again, but neither do I want Ed ringing and going ballistic at them. They are one of the biggest agents in the town and handling our cash sale. I don’t want anything messing that up. Especially not now.
‘Yeah, that’d be great, if you don’t mind? And don’t worry, Jess. I’ve got things in hand. I promise.’
* * *
James hasn’t quite finished his breakfast when Ed appears at half eight on the dot. He checks his watch. ‘You’ll be out of here in the next ten minutes, won’t you?’
‘Yes, I promise.’
He kisses James goodbye. ‘See you later, little man. I’m glad you’re feeling better, and look after Mummy for me today, won’t you?’ He straightens up. ‘Sure you’re also okay to call the estate agents today, Jess? I really don’t mind doing it.’
‘I know you don’t. But it’s no problem. I’ve got a few admin things to do anyway – I need to email a couple of other au pair agencies for a kick off, so one more call won’t make any difference.’
He nods, satisfied, and once I’ve strapped James in the car six minutes later, I reach for my phone from my bag to quickly get it out of the way before I forget.
‘Ah – good morning, Mrs Casson,’ says the agent from Saturday, once I’m put through to him.
I hesitate, remembering Simon’s query. ‘I sometimes use Davies actually – but Casson is fine.’
‘OK, right.’ The agent sounds slightly confused – as well he might be – but not especially bothered. ‘I’m sorry. My mistake. So now, is this about your sale – which is… let me check… going through fine, or are you ringing with some – how shall I put this – feedback – regarding Thrent Avenue?’