Without any warning, he vomited the most recent contents of his stomach onto the desk. The foul-smelling liquid trickled off the side of the desk and onto his trousers. But he didn’t move.

He couldn’t.

He’d killed his own father.

‘What the hell happened to you last night?’ Kayleigh shrieked as Nathan opened his eyes. He was at home in bed, but he had no idea how he’d got there. His mouth felt like he’d been licking the bottom of a skip. His head spun as his eyes tried to adjust to the bright light of the bedroom. Kayleigh jabbered on in the background, but he tuned her out.

What the fuck had happened?

As his mind regained its focus, he remembered. Grace had told him that Tommy was his dad and she had the proof too. How long had she known? Days? Months? Years? Had she kept it to herself and then used it to hurt him? Was it all just part of some sick, twisted game she was playing?

No. Grace wasn’t that cruel. Was she? He swallowed the bile that lurched from his stomach and into his throat.

‘Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch,’ he barked at Kayleigh as he stumbled out of bed.

She stared at him, mouth hanging open, like he had three heads.

If he’d had the strength, he’d have slapped her face for daring to look at him like that. Instead he staggered into the living room and sat on the sofa. He couldn’t breathe. He felt like someone had their hands inside his chest and were squeezing his insides, until there was no breath left in his body.

There was an open bottle of vodka on the coffee table. He picked it up with a trembling hand and took a swig. His chest started to feel looser, and he could breathe again. Closing his eyes, he leaned back against the sofa. He needed to stop thinking. He needed to do something. He needed to get out of there before he stopped Kayleigh’s whining and snivelling for good.

Chapter Sixty-Two

Holding the phone to her ear, Grace checked again that she’d locked the front door. She didn’t want anyone accidentally walking in on her. She had been put on hold by the receptionist a few seconds ago.

‘Hello, Rebecca speaking,’ a chirpy voice filled her ear.

‘Hi Rebecca. My name is Grace Sumner. I understand you’re Nathan Conlon’s probation officer?’

Grace heard a small sigh before Rebecca said. ‘I’m sorry Grace, but I can’t discuss individual cases.’

‘I know that. I’m sorry. I’m not looking for information. Nathan told me you were his probation officer, and I’m just worried about him, that’s all.’

‘Well I can’t give information, but I can listen. Perhaps you could tell me why you’re worried?’