Anna.

Lizzie was surprisingly nonplussed about the leg and note – as Anna said in the text, it was expected. But she was disconcerted about her suggestion they go to see Nell and Rob together. After last night’s revelation, Lizzie would rather go back alone. She didn’t relish the thought of it all coming up in front of Anna. She took a few moments to consider it before texting back.

Sorry, just received your text this morning. I can come over after 2pm if that’s OK?

She’d have to put what had happened to the back of her mind – she was good at doing that. She’d had a lifetime’s practice, after all.

Chapter Seventy-Five

1989

Inside Billy’s truck

Friday 2nd June – 47 days before

He’d tried for the longest time, he really had. And still all he’d gained was grief, not acceptance. That bitch of a woman, Muriel Fisher, her husband – all the husbands in fact – horrible people the lot of them. What were they so afraid of? Just because his wife had died, it didn’t mean he was after theirs. God, who’d be interested in those fake women anyway?

Billy’s eyes were staring forwards. He watched her intently from the safety of his truck, the engine idling. She was prettier than the others. Not just physically – she was prettier on the inside too. Or she was when she wasn’t with them. If he could get her on her own, be alone with her for a while, he might be able to release some of the pent-up anger. If the pressure was released from inside him, from inside his head, he’d be better able to cope with Rosie’s death – with the knowledge he now had to bring Eliza up all on his own.

‘Can we go to the shop and buy sweets, Daddy?’ Eliza asked. She brought his thoughts back to the here and now. She’d been sitting quietly beside him while his attention was elsewhere.

‘Not from there, no. We’ll drive into town.’ He shifted the truck into gear and sped off. Away from her. He’d have to watch her more, find out her routine. Figure out a good time to approach her.

‘Ohh, but it’s so far,’ Eliza complained, slapping her hands hard onto her lap.

‘But there are better sweets in town. You need to be patient, Eliza. Good things come to those who wait.’

Chapter Seventy-Six

2019

Anna

Thursday 18th July

Anna rushed to the front door, calling to Muriel over her shoulder as soon as she spotted Lizzie’s car turn into the road.

‘Won’t be long, Mum. Ring if you need me.’

She didn’t wait for a response. Muriel had appeared slightly more reassured once Sandie’s husband had set the video security camera up on the wall to the left of the front door – inside the alcove so it wasn’t easily visible – its lens trained on the door. Anna had tested it prior to Lizzie’s arrival – walking towards the house several times and reaching up to the point the doll’s parts had been left. She then made sure it had recorded, checking the quality of the captured images. Though Anna felt happy with her purchase, she was annoyed with herself for having waited this long to do it.