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Chapters (82)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise for The House of Whispers
  3. Title Page
  4. Note to Readers
  5. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  6. One
  7. Two
  8. Three
  9. Four
  10. Five
  11. Six
  12. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  13. Seven
  14. Eight
  15. Nine
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  19. Twelve
  20. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  21. Thirteen
  22. Fourteen
  23. Fifteen
  24. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  25. Sixteen
  26. Seventeen
  27. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  28. Eighteen
  29. Nineteen
  30. Twenty
  31. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  32. Twenty-One
  33. Twenty-Two
  34. Twenty-Three
  35. Twenty-Four
  36. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  37. Twenty-Five
  38. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  39. Twenty-Six
  40. Twenty-Seven
  41. Twenty-Eight
  42. Twenty-Nine
  43. Thirty
  44. Thirty-One
  45. Thirty-Two
  46. Thirty-Three
  47. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  48. Thirty-Four
  49. Thirty-Five
  50. Thirty-Six
  51. Thirty-Seven
  52. Thirty-Eight
  53. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  54. Thirty-Nine
  55. Forty
  56. Forty-One
  57. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  58. Forty-Two
  59. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  60. Forty-Three
  61. Forty-Four
  62. Forty-Five
  63. Forty-Six
  64. Forty-Seven
  65. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  66. Forty-Eight
  67. Transcript of interview with Mr Rohan Allerton, husband of Abigail Allerton: 20 December 2019
  68. Forty-Nine
  69. Fifty
  70. Fifty-One
  71. Fifty-Two
  72. Fifty-Three
  73. Fifty-Four
  74. Fifty-Five
  75. Fifty-Six
  76. Fifty-Seven
  77. Fifty-Eight
  78. Fifty-Nine
  79. Sixty
  80. Priory Hospital North London: 20 December 2019
  81. Acknowledgements
  82. About the Publisher

‘I just… I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it. Something’s not right.’

‘In what way “not right”?’

‘I don’t know. She’s staying with Abi for a while until she finds her feet, but – God, I just don’t know.’

‘Houseguests aren’t always easy.’

‘It’s more than that. I get the feeling she’s using Abs.’

‘Okaay,’ Mili said.

‘And Abi’s such a soft touch. She can be a bit “absent” when she’s painting. I worry about her without me here to keep an eye on things.’

There was a silence, then Mili said, ‘You need to trust her. She’s an adult. She can take care of herself.’

Rohan sighed again, and I could picture him running his hand through his hair. A chair scraped back and I tensed, ready to leap to my feet, but Rohan spoke, his voice slightly less audible. Staring out of the window, maybe.

‘You’ve seen how thin she’s got. And she’s so pale.’

‘She’s working, Ro. She’s not going outside much. Maybe you should book a holiday for when you’re back. After the exhibition.’

‘Yeah, maybe. Some sun would be nice.’ Silence. ‘She’s changed since Grace’s been here.’

‘Changed? In what way?’

‘Drinking more; not taking care of herself, or the house.’

Mili laughed. ‘You mean she’s not being a Stepford wife? Keeping house and putting her lipstick on for you? Come on! You said yourself she’s painting. I’m sure she doesn’t worry about a bit of mess when she’s working.’

‘It’s more than that.’

‘Okay, let’s gauge this,’ Mili said. ‘What do you mean “not taking care of the house”?’

Rohan started telling her about the bins, the dishwasher, the dirty dishes and, even to my ear, he sounded a bit whiney; the henpecked husband with his nose out of joint. ‘And why isn’t Grace pitching in? That really annoys me. It’s basic manners when you’re a houseguest, for God’s sake! And she’s living here for free!’

I jumped as a fist slammed on the table. Sofia yelped.

‘It’s all right, Sofe,’ Mili said, making shushing noises. ‘But if you’re in New York, why does it even matter? Surely the main thing is that Abi’s painting. She has that exhibition, right? You can always clean up the house later. Or, God forbid, get a cleaner! Have you seen what she’s been painting?’

‘Yes. They’re… oh my God. Amazing. Incredible. But so dark.’