‘It was my fault that Bella broke her wrist.’

As I explained what had happened that day, the surprise on Deirdre’s face morphed into anger. She took a step towards me. Mel twisted her hands together, then raked her fingers through her hair. She looked past me at the track, then turned towards the chapel. Her body twitched, she couldn’t seem to stay still. I had to get away from these crazy women and start searching the property for Marty and Bella.

‘It was Marty’s fault,’ Mel contradicted me. ‘He drove you to it. He told me the truth—he killed Archie.’

I had been ready to run but Mel’s words shocked me to a standstill. The documents I’d found on his laptop, the doubt that had been festering since last night. It was like the papers said—Marty had been playing God. The landscape blurred and I felt myself sway. Deirdre had her arms around me in an instant.

Ever since Archie had died, I’d been blaming myself. But all along, it had been Marty. My husband had made a decision to end our son’s suffering and then he’d witnessed my grief, my depression over the past four years and he’d said nothing. When all along it had been his doing: Marty had killed our son.

‘But where’s Bella?’ I could barely get the words out.

The women glanced at each other, a look that was unreadable.

‘I think Josh took her,’ Mel said. ‘He was at playgroup that morning.’

Tara’s husband Josh? I stared at them, uncomprehending. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘They need money. They’re going to ask for a ransom. Tara thinks you’re rolling in it with your fancy house and your fancy cars. That was her trashing you on TV last night.’

I couldn’t process what Mel was saying. This morning, Tara hardly seemed able to make a cup of coffee. Was it all an act?

‘Have you told the police?’

‘I don’t have any proof but yes, I did.’

‘You’re saying that Tara and Josh abducted Bella?’

It seemed unlikely to me but Mel was insistent.

‘Yes, and you need to go now and find her,’ Mel urged. ‘Quick, go to Tara’s place. Call the detective on the way. There’s no phone reception here. Get him to search their house and garden. Make sure the police do a thorough search—they’re sure to find some evidence of her.’

I’d been at Tara’s house a few hours ago. Bella wasn’t there. My brain had gone numb. Marty killed our son. That one thought wiped out everything else in my mind. Legs numb, heart numb, body numb. The women each took one of my arms and started walking me to my car. I staggered but they held me up. Mel opened the car door and they gently pushed me into the driver’s seat.