Chapters (67)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PROLOGUE
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- PART TWO
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- PART THREE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- PART FOUR
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- EPILOGUE
- Mailing list
- A Letter from Kathryn
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Kathryn Croft
‘Well, that’s good news, isn’t it? I’ll tell Jackson straight away. He’s at a friend’s house today.’
‘He’s not at school then?’
Holly chuckles. ‘It’s the summer holidays.’
‘Oh, yes. I’ve lost all track of time.’ She pauses. ‘Do you know if Greg had any connection to Brighton when you were married? I’m trying to think of reasons he might have gone there and I’m coming up blank.’
‘I don’t think so. We certainly never went together, and I can’t think of a time when he mentioned the place. But that doesn’t—’
‘I know. He could have picked anywhere to get away from me, couldn’t he? And now it looks like that’s exactly what he’s doing.’
‘Sienna, don’t think like that. There could be any number of reasons he’s done this. It’s not necessarily anything to do with you or your marriage. And remember, it’s not just you he’s walked away from – it’s Jackson too.’
She knows this, tries to squeeze some comfort from it. ‘If you think of anything later, will you call me?’
‘Of course I will. And I’ll ask Jackson if he’s ever heard his dad mention Brighton.’
Sienna thanks her before ending the call.
There are tasks she needs to do today; her online business course starts in a few weeks, and she’s got reading to do in preparation, as well as designing some business cards. She sits on the sofa, her legs curled under her, and opens one of her books. She tries to immerse herself in the words, but ends up re-reading the same sentences, forgetting what they say as soon as she’s read them.
Giving up, she reaches for her phone and texts Rob, asking him if Abby has any connection to Brighton.
His reply is immediate.
No, why?
She doesn’t respond, pushes her phone to the other side of the sofa, even though she feels bad about not replying. She doesn’t want to hurt Rob; there will be enough pain for him once everything is out in the open.
On Friday evening, when she’s forcing herself to clean the house – something she’s never been a fan of at the best of times – someone rings her doorbell. She leans the mop against the wall, wondering if it’s Abby, if she’s come to tell the truth this time.
She’s so shocked to see Rob standing at her door that she’s momentarily speechless.
‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘Is this a bad time?’
Her hand reaches for her hair; it’s tied up in a messy, sweat-soaked bun and she’s embarrassed that anyone is seeing her like this. ‘No, come in.’
He steps inside and she shuts the door behind him. ‘Does Abby know you’re here?’