“We both know.” Jessica paused. “We all know. Now let’s get you inside. Forbes will take over cleaning.”

“I will?”

“In a bit. First we need to get this straightened out.”

All three headed for the living room, Alice drying her hands on the front of her already ruined T-shirt.

“You need to phone him,” Jessica told her.

“But then he’ll—”

“Know it was you,” Jessica interrupted, finishing the sentence with a slow nod. “But maybe he’ll back off—right now, it’s just me and Forbes, isn’t it? And you’re the one who can do something about that.”

“So the paint wasn’t for me?” Alice asked.

“Go call him,” Jessica said.

“My phone’s in my bedroom…”

Alice went to fetch it, but ended up seated on her bed instead, feeling the sweat cooling on her back. How could she talk to him? What would he do once he knew? What would he do to her? She felt a shiver run down her, all the way to her toes. Holding the phone to her ear, she found the strength to head back to the living room.

“Not answering,” she said as she walked in. Then she saw that Jessica too was making a call. Forbes’s eyes were on Alice. He looked nervous.

“Who…?” Alice began to ask, but she broke off. She knew the answer well enough. It was written on Forbes’s face…

Day Thirteen

Day Thirteen

24

24