“There’s no danger to the boys,” said Doctor Summer. “She’s just had a bit of a shock, that’s all. Haven’t you, dear?”

No one but Lauren saw the twins watching the drama, motionless and focused, unnatural. No one but Lauren saw their quiet smiles, the sadness they held.

“I’m sorry,” said Lauren, relaxing her muscles completely. “I’m fine now. I’m fine.” The guards released their firm grip slightly but they didn’t let her go. The twins were taken away to the nursery.

Lauren took the pills into her mouth and allowed herself to be led back to her room. As the nurse fumbled with the keys, Lauren coughed discreetly and transferred the unswallowed drugs to her palm.

Later, she thought she might die of despair. But then, sitting in front of mindless TV, side by side with Nurse Pauline, the plan appeared in her mind like a gift, fully formed.

Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Harper dreamed of crushed eggshells in a cup, and awoke with a gritty taste in her mouth.

She dressed and drove to the swimming pool where she powered out forty lengths, running the last conversation she’d had with Amy over and again, searching for clues. After she’d left the nursing home the previous night she’d texted, as requested, and then called even though she’d been told not to, but there was no response to either. Who was Amy meeting? Why wasn’t she interested in what Victoria had said? Unable to discuss it with anyone, the encounter had churned all night in Harper’s mind. Now, she wasn’t sure if she’d tell Amy about it even if she asked.

It was impossible to make sense of what Victoria had said. The woman seemed to be confusing what had actually happened to her and something from a story in a children’s book. Nevertheless there was still that maddening phrase, which Victoria had known and the person had said on tape to Lauren in the hospital: their names are Bishop and Selver. The perpetrator said the same thing to both women, in identical crimes. They had to be linked. Maybe it would be worth trawling the electoral roll for people with those names, like Amy had suggested. If Bishop and Selver were indeed actual people who had been babies in 1976, then they’d be in their forties now. Could be a lead.