Andriu pulls back in the chair. ‘Wait a minute, is that what she told you? There was more to that than meets the eye… You don’t know what she was like, she changed, Tara. Faye had become very nervous, jumpy, like she was waiting on something bad to happen. I had already made my mind up that I was going to take the job in London even before that night.’ He leans forward slightly, a half smile appearing on his face. He’s locking his stare on me, wanting me to agree with him. But I don’t. I know Faye was heartbroken but she wasn’t mad.

‘I decided to go before things got even more difficult,’ he said.

I think back to that time, was there stuff going on that I didn’t notice? I was so involved in myself, my own sadness. Had I missed something. Had Faye been in trouble?

Chapter Thirty-One

Faye

Today wasn’t too busy. I’ve had busier days in this clinic. The appointments were at a minimum which I was thankful for. I’m still in consultation room number four but this time there are two detectives sitting in front of me: Detective Siobhan Lee – who seems to be the boss – and her partner, Detective Mullins.

‘Thank you for seeing us, Faye. It’s important we get to speak with everyone who lived at Huntley Lodge.’

I nod and keep my eyes locked on hers. Detective Lee shifts in her chair and takes out a notebook from her pocket.

‘I’ve already spoken to one of your housemates, Tara Moore,’ she says.

Again I nod.

‘She told me you were living in the house with her alongside another tenant, Mr Andriu Fitzpatrick.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Have you spoken to either since the body was found?’

I want to say no but Tara probably told her we’ve been in contact so I decide I’d better not lie so soon into the conversation.

‘I spoke briefly to Tara but she didn’t know anything either and I haven’t seen or heard from Andriu in… gosh, it must be three years or more.’ I make it sound like I’m only calculating that figure now. The detective doesn’t need to know that it’s exactly three years, nine weeks, two days and about nine hours since I last saw him. The day I chucked him out of the house. The day I came home and found the box of condoms on top of his bedside cabinet. The box was open. There was a wrapper on the floor by the bed. It wasn’t there when I’d left for work the previous evening because I always make sure the box is inside the cabinet.