‘Then you’ll have to pay for a live-in full-time nurse. You’ve got enough money. I’m sorry, Mother, but I can’t do it any more. It’s not fair on Ed. Or the kids. I have to put them first for once.’
Elspeth draws herself up to her full height, a flush blooming up her neck and into her cheeks. ‘I’ve done more than enough for those boys. They go to that school because I pay. I’ve given you a job in my gallery – which, by the way, you seem to be running into the ground. I paid the deposit so you could buy your first house.’
‘Yes. You’ve never let me forget it.’
‘How dare you? You ungrateful little brat.’
Kathryn swallows her tears. That’s what this relationship has always been about. Shut up, put up and be grateful. And she has. For so many years. She takes a deep breath. ‘I don’t want to fight but you have to understand why I can’t stay here indefinitely.’
‘You offered once before. So what is it now? The girls have gone and you no longer want me either?’
‘Don’t be silly. Yes, I did offer to be your full-time carer and you told me – quite rightly – why it wouldn’t work. But the companions haven’t worked out either, have they?’
‘Well,’ she hisses, ‘you made sure of that.’
Kathryn notices how Aggie’s shoulders tense but she doesn’t come to her rescue. Is that what they think? That it’s all her fault?
‘Do you think I killed those girls?’ she asks incredulously.
Elspeth crosses her arms. ‘I tried to give you a good home despite your bad beginning. But you’re so jealous and possessive over me, Kathryn. First with Viola and then with my companions. Do you want me to die alone? Is that it?’
Words fail Kathryn. She can only stare at her mother in shock.
Elspeth sinks back in her seat. She seems small and vulnerable and, despite Kathryn’s righteous anger, she feels bad. ‘Look, if you can’t cope on your own why don’t you come and stay with me, Ed and the boys? Just for a while.’
Elspeth’s eyes widen in shock. ‘And leave my beautiful house? I don’t think so.’
Kathryn sighs. This fucking house. It’s like a millstone around all of their necks. ‘Then you’ll have to make alternative arrangements. I need to go. I’m sorry.’ She bends over to pick up her handbag from the floor, her heart in her mouth. ‘I miss my boys. I want to see them before school.’
Elspeth stares at her as though the thought of missing her own children is alien to her.
The phone in the hallway rings, breaking the tension. ‘Can you get that on your way out?’ Elspeth asks casually, picking up her croissant and continuing to eat it as though their argument never took place. Aggie still has her back to them, pretending to be engrossed in the washing-up.
‘Fine,’ says Kathryn, inching her bag strap over her shoulder.
Elspeth doesn’t speak and Kathryn walks up the stairs to the hallway, her heart thumping so hard she feels dizzy. She goes to the telephone on the little art-deco moon table and lifts the receiver. ‘Hello?’
‘Is this Elspeth McKenzie?’ asks a gruff voice. Kathryn wonders if it’s the police.
Kathryn checks her watch. If she doesn’t hurry she’ll miss seeing the boys before school. ‘Can I ask what it’s in regard to?’
‘My name is Jim Sutton and it’s in regard to her daughter Viola.’
Kathryn freezes. Before she’s even thought about it she says, ‘Mrs McKenzie speaking.’
‘I’ve done numerous checks, as you know, hoping to find your daughter, like we agreed.’
‘Yes,’ she lies. She’s had no clue her mother was looking for Viola and the betrayal is like a fist in the gut. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Elspeth walking towards her, a questioning look on her face. Kathryn turns her back on her mother, pressing the receiver against her ear. She can hardly hear over the thumping of her heart.
‘I regret to inform you that she’s …’ He clears his throat and Kathryn realizes she’s holding her breath. She knows what’s coming. ‘I’m afraid she’s dead.’
40
Willow
Courtney sits on the sofa, holding her mobile as though Peter is still there, although they finished speaking a few minutes ago.
‘Any news?’ I ask.
She shakes her head. ‘He doesn’t know. The police aren’t telling him anything. I don’t even know if Kathryn has been arrested. What if they never catch Una and Jemima’s killer?’
‘Kathryn will slip up,’ I say, with a confidence I don’t feel. I’m still not totally convinced Kathryn is behind the other girls’ deaths and I’m surprised to find I miss working there. I had a good thing going. And now I have no clue what I’ll do next.
‘I bloody hope so. I keep asking myself why,’ says Courtney, falling back against the sofa, her long copper hair fanning across her shoulders.
‘Jealousy. Money maybe. Who knows?’
Courtney throws her mobile onto the sofa and leaps to her feet. She begins pacing the tiny room. ‘When I went to that house and saw your room – Una’s room – I don’t know … I can’t stop thinking about it all. I can’t bear that we may never know what really happened.’
We fall silent, each deep in thought. Then I get up too. I can’t put it off any longer. I need to go. I pull on my floral bomber jacket from where I’d left it on the back of the kitchen chair. It’s been a weird few days living with Courtney. I was here when Kris came back for his stuff on Monday. He was angry when he found that Courtney was serious about not taking him back, calling her coldhearted one minute, then begging her to change her mind the next. I was proud to watch her standing firm. She’s moving out too. She’s going to live with her mum and brother for a while until she’s got her head together, as she puts it. She says the flat has too many sad memories. I think she’s doing the right thing.
I hope it doesn’t take her and Peter too long to realize they’re perfect for each other.