‘Maybe … Look, I’ll see you.’ She turned back to walk to the car, but stopped and spun around, rushing up to Alfie and throwing her arms round him. She squeezed her eyes closed, stopping the tears from falling, nuzzling her head into his neck.

Surprised, Alfie said, ‘This is lovely, Fran, and I could stay here all day with you like this, but what have I done to deserve it?’

She looked up at him, giving a sad smile. ‘I just wanted to give you a proper goodbye, that’s all.’

Alfie sounded worried. ‘Fran, what’s going on?’

‘Nothing, it’s just been a difficult day.’ She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on his cheek. ‘I love you, I love you so much – never forget that.’

And as Alfie watched Franny drive away, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at his screen. The text read:

FRANNY CAN’T BE TRUSTED.

48

Franny sped along Soho Square, her thoughts racing and her heart pounding as she pulled up outside her house. She turned off the engine and ran to the front door, knowing she had to be quick. This was her chance to get away, though she still had to be careful. She had no idea how long Alfie would stay with Taylor, but she certainly knew by the time he got back, she needed to be gone.

She’d take some clothes and a few essentials, grab her passport and of course, take the money left over from the auction – and once she’d found somewhere to stay, she’d sort out re-mortgaging the house from afar.

Her hands shook as she put her key in the door. She switched on the light, then froze. She stared around in horror at the sight in front of her. Hanging all around the hallway were Bree’s belongings. The belongings she’d kept stored in the missing suitcase.

In shock, Franny pushed herself against the wall, shaking, her breathing becoming laboured. ‘No … no … no … no!’

She spoke out loud, not understanding, not comprehending what was happening, her eyes darting around and, unable to stand the sight of them, she leapt forward, grabbing at Bree’s belongings, pulling them down off their hangers, collecting them up in her arms.

She charged through to the lounge but stopped in her tracks and let out a small whimper as she saw her bloodstained clothes dangling from the ceiling. She spun around looking for something, anything that would give her an explanation.

Breathing hard, she backed away, cowering in the corner with her eyes transfixed on the bloody clothes that hung above her. It took her more than a couple of minutes to force herself up, force herself forward.

Pulling a chair to under where her clothes hung, Franny stepped up but suddenly the lights went off and the sound of a child’s music box played out from the hallway.