I notice the bedside table in the mirror and find myself drawn towards it. I’ve poked around in her dressing table, what’s the point in stopping now? I might as well go the whole hog.
I slide open the single drawer of the bedside table. I’m shocked by what I see. A silver photo frame, like the one my wedding photo was in, is lying in the drawer face up. It’s not just the frame, though, it’s the picture inside. It’s of Alice, taken on Brighton seafront, but she’s not alone. Standing close next to her, arms around each other, is Luke, both smiling madly at the camera. My mouth dries as I stare at the photograph. My legs feel wobbly and I sink down onto the edge of the bed. My heart pummels my breastbone. I blink slowly and take another look at the picture, in case I’m imagining things.
No, they are still there, smiling back at me. My husband and my sister. Mocking me.
Chapter 15
I can barely wait for everyone to get home. Then I can show Luke and Mum what Alice is really like. I can’t help feeling a little guilty, as I know I’m going to cause Mum a lot of pain, but I really think they need to know the truth about Alice, that she’s manipulative, deceitful and even a fantasist, if the photo of her and Luke is anything to go by. I can’t wait to hear how Alice is going to get out of this one.
Mum and Alice arrive home and, of course, are surprised to see me. Mum comes into the kitchen on her own.
‘Where’s Alice?’ I ask, wasting no time on civilities.
Mum stops and looks at me. She can sense something is up. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I hope you’ve calmed down after this morning.’ She places two bags of shopping on the worktop and leaves them there while she checks the post on the table.
‘I wasn’t feeling too well,’ I say. I look back down the hall. ‘Is Alice with you?’
‘She’s just nipped to the bathroom,’ says Mum. ‘Clare, you still seem very on edge. I don’t want any more trouble.’
‘Why hasn’t she used the downstairs loo?’ I ask, noting the cloakroom door is not closed properly and ignoring Mum’s comment
‘I’ve no idea. Does it really matter?’
I hear footsteps on the stairs as Alice trots down. She swings around the newel post and flashes a smile at me.
‘Hello, Clare,’ she says. She comes into the kitchen. ‘You okay? Not at work?’
‘Clearly,’ I say. ‘I’ve misplaced an important file, so I’ve popped back to look for it. I don’t suppose anyone has seen it, have they?’
‘No, sorry, love,’ says Mum her tone lightening slightly. ‘Have you checked your desk in the study?’
‘Yes, but I didn’t go in there at the weekend. To be honest, I didn’t even take it out of my briefcase.’
‘Well, you can’t have brought it home, then,’ says Alice blithely as she unpacks the shopping. She pops a can of beans in the cupboard as if she’s done it a hundred times before. As if it’s her kitchen.
‘It’s not at work, so it must be here,’ I say tersely. I catch a glimpse of the expression on Alice’s face. Was that a little smile at the corners of her mouth as she turned away? ‘Are you sure you haven’t seen it, Alice?’
Alice gives a laugh, as if I’m being totally ridiculous. ‘Clare, I promise, I haven’t seen the file. I don’t even know what it looks like. Have you checked everywhere?’
‘Of course!’ I snap.
‘Clare!’ Mum gives me a disapproving look. ‘Alice is only trying to help. Now make yourself useful and put the kettle on.’
I do as I’m told and by the time I’ve made tea, Luke has arrived home.
‘Mummy!’ calls Chloe, running down the hallway. I scoop her up.
‘Hello, darling. How was your day at nursery?’ I give her several kisses and spin her around in my arms before putting her down. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Juice, pease,’ says Chloe, still not quite able to master the word.
I meet Luke’s gaze and offer a smile as I try to gauge his mood with me. ‘All right?’ he says. There’s a coldness to his voice and I can’t help feeling disappointed as he side-steps me without stopping for a kiss.
‘How was your day?’ I push on.
‘How do you think?’ His voice is monotone. ‘Yours?’
‘Not so good. I’ve lost a file. Came home early to try to find it,’ I say, trying to keep a faint hold on normality.
‘Wondered why you were here.’
‘I’m going to pick Hannah and Daisy up from Brownies. Pippa asked if one of us could do it,’ I say, aware Alice is watching us. I pass Luke a cup of coffee, which he takes and just about manages to say cheers.
‘Oh, Alice, I meant to say, Pippa said she saw you in the village the other day,’ I make an effort to sound casual as I lean back against the worktop.
‘Pippa? Oh, yes, your friend. I did bump into her, that’s right,’ says Alice.
‘The funny thing is, Pippa thought you were me,’ I say, forcing a small laugh out. ‘She said you had the same top on as mine. You know, the blue one with the green-and-white fish on it?’