I should have done what I was meant to do, that first time I came to the house for a job interview. I wasn’t supposed to get attached to Rupert. I never get attached, not after growing up with a mother like mine. I walk into the spare room, the one Rupert uses as a study, and lay the plans on his desk before turning my attention to the safe. Poor Caro. It feels strange to be feeling sympathy for a woman who, not so long ago, I was convinced was still alive and tormenting me. Now, I am certain that Caro is dead, that she died the night of the party, but only after she had returned to the house – to Rupert – and I wonder how Sadie will react when all of this comes out. And Will and Amanda, and Rupert’s lovely parents who did nothing but make me feel welcome. Sitting back on my haunches I pause for a moment, as something like grief washes over me. Shame and the humiliation of being duped burns as if I have been branded. How could I, of all people, not seen Rupert for what he really was?

Chapter Thirty-Four

Rupert is distracted as he waits in line at Pret to pay for a soggy, overpriced sandwich and a coffee. His mind is full of thoughts of Sadie, and how appallingly she has behaved, and Emily, who he is starting to think he really does need to worry about. He swipes his card, and doesn’t realize for a moment, until the barista says, ‘Sir’ a little too loudly that it has been declined. He hands over a tenner and makes his way to a table where Sadie sits waiting for him.

‘I’m so sorry, Rupert,’ Sadie is tearful as he takes his seat, ‘thank you so much for agreeing to see me.’

‘You didn’t really give me a choice, did you?’ Rupert is curt with her, not taken in by her crocodile tears. ‘Why did you do it, Sadie?’

‘I was concerned for you…’ she heaves in a dramatic breath. ‘Everything happened so quickly, how could you be sure that Emily was the real deal? Call it a test, if you like.’

‘It wasn’t your place to “test” anything,’ Rupert says, pushing the sandwich away from him. He has no appetite.

‘I just wanted to protect you, Rupert. After Caro died you pushed us all away, you refused to see me for months. I was worried that things were moving too fast with Emily, that’s all. I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand, and of course I didn’t realize how mentally fragile she is, I mean, talking about Caro as if Caro could still be alive…’