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
Abby has got used to her not being in the class, but this evening she feels her presence, feels Sienna right beside her, her movements adroit and precise, mocking her, blaming her. It’s hard to concentrate, and less than halfway through the class it’s more than she can bear. She explains to Gwen that she isn’t feeling well, and rushes home.
Rob is in the hallway when she opens the door. ‘Oh, you’re back early. Everything okay?’
‘I just feel a bit rough. Wasn’t feeling up to it tonight.’
He walks to her and gives her a kiss. It’s only when he pulls away that she sees he’s holding two coffee mugs. ‘Oh, thanks,’ she says. ‘But how—’
‘Sienna’s here,’ he whispers, nodding towards the living room. ‘She’s not in a good way, so I told her it was okay to wait for you.’
Again. What is she doing? Abby’s stomach plummets, her whole body heating up. She almost screams at Rob, but it isn’t his fault. He knows nothing about the deep trouble that is brewing. ‘Okay,’ she manages to say.
He leans forward, so close she can feel his breath on her skin. ‘She asked if she can stay the night. She can’t handle being in the house just hoping Greg will turn up any second. I said of course you won’t mind.’ He takes Abby’s hand. ‘She’s lucky to have you as a friend.’
This should floor her, learning that Rob has agreed Sienna can stay, but somehow instead she feels only anger, ready to fight this and deal with it head on. Sienna is playing some kind of game in which only she knows the rules, but Abby is determined to win.
When she follows Rob into the living room, she expects Sienna to be a mess, but what greets her is a woman who looks exactly as she always has: hair freshly washed and styled, make-up flawless, a smart knee-length skirt and blouse which look brand new. Her husband is missing, yet she’s managed to go to all this effort. Abby can’t let go of this thought as Sienna begins to speak.
‘Hi, Abby. I’m sorry to intrude like this. It’s so awful being stuck at home alone. I feel like I’m going insane.’
Abby studies her face, searching for hints of insincerity. Although her words are soaked with emotion, her eyes remain dry as sand. ‘I… I’m sorry you’re going through all this.’
Beside her, Rob hands her a mug. ‘I was just telling Sienna that we’re here for her, whatever she needs.’
‘Of course,’ Abby agrees. ‘So do the police have any ideas?’