I pick up the phone, but before I can dial, I hear sirens.

The police are on their way.

Epilogue

Three months later

Amelia

I’ve officially moved back in with Dad and Thomas, unable to face returning to London. After everything that happened, I need the security of my childhood home. And it’s worked out well for Thomas too, as I’ve been caring for him, being there as he improves day by day. He can feel his legs now, and he’s building up his muscles. It’s a miracle – when everyone thought he would be in a wheelchair forever.

He’s confided in me many times how much he misses Maddie, and he’s talked about the woman he loves in America who he insists he doesn’t stalk on Twitter. He hasn’t contacted her, but says he will. One day.

I’m still coming to terms with everything. Attempting to move my life back into the normal zone, whatever that is. It isn’t easy, as I’m battling through a mixture of insomnia, and traumatic dreams, whilst grieving for everyone we’ve lost – including the part of Lark we hopefully haven’t lost forever.

My cat jumps onto my lap, startling me from my thoughts. ‘Hello, Bella, my little furry ball of love,’ I say as she nibbles my chin. She’s a bit overweight from staying in London with the girl with the pink hair, but I’m working on cutting down her diet. It isn’t easy, as Misty, who never stops purring, is rather thin. He’s a stray that Jackson fed regularly when he went to the caravan in Laurel Wood – he’d even put in a cat flap for him, so he could get warm on cold nights. We’ve adopted him officially, as once the trial is over Jackson intends to return to the US.

I’m still reeling in shock at what Lark was capable of, and wonder now, if I’d had my eyes fully open on our first visit to Drummondale House if I’d seen how close to the edge she was. If I’d studied more closely the looks that passed between her and Jackson, would I have seen how besotted she was? But instead I was blinded by my own sadness.

Now Lark is going through a traumatic court case for the kidnapping and attempted murder of Jackson – but I’ll be there for her, always. She told me only yesterday, how she would sit in the caravan and listen to Maddie’s vlogs. She’d found out when Mum died that way. I try to understand how desperate she must have been to take Jackson. She’d fallen so deeply for him, and he’d messed with her young mind, fooling her into thinking he loved her.