‘What bitch?’

‘That detective one, she called me, all serious and what did I know… and she said you knew the missing woman.’

‘I know, it’s all a bit confusing. Maybe we should talk tomorrow, Faye.’

‘Why would you tell her you knew that woman? I jusst don’t underssstand.’

‘I didn’t tell her I knew her. I’ll explain to you in the morning, Faye. Look, try to get some sleep.’

‘You’ve ruined me, Tarrra Moore, soon to be marrrried. You’ve destroyed everything I have worked for.’

‘Faye, stop it, what are you saying that for? You’re drunk.’

‘This is all your fault,’ she says.

I think she’s beginning to cry. Then she hangs up.

God, will today never end? I wait a few minutes to make sure she doesn’t call back then I head into the bedroom to put my thumping head down on the pillow. My eyes are getting heavy. I’m exhausted with worry.

Poor Faye. I feel sorry for her. The detective has her rattled too. Which makes me even more nervous. Faye was never one to crumble easily. She was my strength back in the day, always telling me to relax, that everything would be fine. Faye could take me from a high of ten on the panic chart back to a three with just a few words. A bit like Lucas does now. But Faye is just as worried as I am, this time. She’s afraid we’re going to get caught.

Chapter Twenty-Two

I don’t know what time Lucas arrived home. I must have fallen asleep at some point. The rest of the night was spent tossing and turning and praying the detectives would get a suspect soon so I could get on with my life.

After I had driven myself mad thinking about what the detective said, I thought about the wedding. The fact that I was marrying the love of my life. The man who currently reeks of stale alcohol, lying in the bed beside me. I decided that was the most important thing. I also decided I was going ahead with the hen party. I can’t let this Avril Ryan business ruin everything.

Pushing the duvet to the side I step out of the bed and drag myself to the ensuite where I take a shower. I feel like I’ve been marinated in beer from the smell in the bedroom. Lucas will have some head on him when he wakes up. I’ll leave him to sleep another while. I’d leave him there for the day if I didn’t have to break the news to him that the cops think he’s marrying a fugitive. I need him to reassure me. To tell me everything will be okay.