This is the part I’ve not really thought through. I just knew I had to get it before Kathryn moved it. Because it’s evidence – I know that much. Kathryn said Jemima had left without a word, taking all her stuff with her while Elspeth was out. But her stuff is here. So somebody is lying.
I pull out a floral summer dress, my heart contracting for a girl I didn’t even know. The girl who used to sleep in the bed I’m sitting on now, used to live in this house, this room. The girl whose job I’m doing, whose life I’m living. The girl who had been around the world, who liked to take selfies on exotic beaches, who looked like me. She’d even been out with Lewis too, kissed him, like me. I suddenly feel sick. ‘Do you think I should go to the police?’
‘Definitely,’ says Courtney, firmly.
I groan. My first thought is that I could lose my job. My dream of travelling disappears in front of me. Mum would be so disappointed. I think of my promise to her: to see the places she’d never get the chance to see. That dream will take a lot longer to come true without this job.
I fold the dress up carefully, respectfully, in the same way I handled my mother’s clothes after she died, and place it back in the holdall, my mobile clamped between my shoulder and my ear. The dress smells old and damp and there are black mould spores dotted in the fabric. ‘I need to tell Peter.’
‘Peter?’
‘Jemima’s brother. Remember? He was here last month because he wanted to find out who the guy was that Jemima was seeing. I tried calling him after meeting up with Lewis but haven’t heard anything back.’ I’m surprised I haven’t heard from Peter. He was so adamant that we keep in touch, wanting me to find out who Jemima’s mystery man had been. It’s strange that he hasn’t got back to me.
Courtney’s voice is serious when she next speaks. ‘I think you should stay here tonight. I don’t think it’s safe.’
Despite myself I laugh. Which is a normal reaction for me when I’m nervous or scared. When my mum broke it to me that she had cancer my first reaction was to laugh. ‘It’s only Elspeth here with me tonight. She’s an old lady. She wouldn’t have harmed Jemima.’
‘What about the daughter? That Kathryn? She sounds like a heartless cow from what you’ve told me. And you said yourself she’s never liked you.’
Even though everything I’ve told Courtney is true, I can’t believe that Kathryn is a murderer. I say as much to my friend. ‘But she might not have set out to kill her,’ says Courtney, impatiently. ‘Something’s obviously happened, though. Kathryn told you Jemima left with her stuff and that they’d all assumed she’d gone off travelling. Yet now we’ve learnt she died that same day. And Kathryn was obviously lying. Otherwise why would she have her stuff in the bloody cellar? Christ, Una, what other conclusion is there? And,’ she continues, barely drawing breath, ‘when she goes back to the cellar and sees the bag’s missing she’s going to know you took it.’ She exhales, as though exhausted by her outburst.
I haven’t really thought any of this through. It was instinct that made me take the bag. And now I’m regretting it. ‘Maybe I should just put it back,’ I mumble. My phone feels hot against my face so I move it to the other ear. My hands are sweating. ‘Pretend I never saw it.’
‘What? No. You can’t do that! You’ve got a responsibility to give it to the police.’
‘But it will open up a massive can of worms. There might be a simple explanation …’
‘There might be. Although I can’t think what. Do you want me to come with you to the station tomorrow?’
‘No, it’s fine,’ I say, when the truth is I don’t know how I’m going to give Elspeth the slip. I’m with her all day. I’m going to have to act normally around her and Kathryn, even though, now I know they lied, the thought of being alone with either of them fills me with dread. My heart starts to race. What am I going to do? Kathryn will know I’ve taken the bag. Courtney is right to be worried. ‘We’ve got a few days,’ I say, trying to sound more positive than I feel. ‘Kathryn won’t be over until Saturday now, anyway, so even if she does look for it then …’ I pause as I notice a shadow moving under my bedroom door. I lower my voice. ‘I think she’s here.’
‘What? Are you sure?’
‘I don’t know,’ I whisper. ‘There was a movement under my door like someone walked past. Elspeth is in bed.’ I let the implication hang in the air.
Courtney sounds horrified. ‘Have you locked your door?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then she can’t do anything.’
‘I think she has a spare key. I’ve caught her in my room before and I told you about the other night –’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Una.’ She sounds like my mum. ‘I told you, didn’t I? I said you should leave after you found out that both Matilde and Jemima are dead. But you thought I was overreacting. And now look.’
‘Courtney, stop it. It’ll be fine, she’s not about to murder me in my bed. I’d better go. I’ll ring you in the morning.’
She starts to protest but I end the call and throw my phone to the end of the bed. Even though we’re the same age Courtney has always been the mature one, the leader of us both. Like a big sister. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should leave. But I need this job. I don’t know what to do. I have to think it through before I make any rash decisions.