My head is thumping, my mouth, dry as burnt toast. When Amber is safely inside Rena’s house, Ellen closes the door and we both walk into the kitchen. She reaches for the painkillers while I pour myself a glass of water.

‘The police weren’t here over the cyclist’s accident, Sally.’

No, please no, don’t say what I think you’re going to say.

‘If they weren’t here over the accident, why were they here? Do you know?’ Ellen’s face is white with worry, her eyes sad, her breathing laboured.

‘They wanted to ask him questions about some woman. Claire McCarthy.’

‘Claire McCarthy? Who the hell is Claire McCarthy.’

‘She’s the woman who was murdered in Sycamore last week.’

Ellen stares at me, unable to disguise the fear in her eyes. Her stare lingers, as if she’s searching my face for answers. Answers that I don’t have.

Chapter Twenty

Tom is still at the station and I’m sitting here in my kitchen about to explain to Ellen that she has another grandson. I wish I didn’t have to do this. I wanted Tom to tell her, to look her in the eye and tell her he has been lying to her for the past six months at least, possibly even more. Just like he’s been lying to me.

I almost collapsed with the shock when Ellen told me the reason the police wanted to talk to Tom. But I realize it makes sense. He’s the boy’s father, naturally they would have to speak to him, but did they have to call to the house? Surely they could have rung him, asked him to go down to the station. Couldn’t they?

Ellen pours milk into her tea. I’m leaning against the counter top sipping strength from a strong cup of coffee.

‘I was hoping Tom would be the one to tell you this, Ellen.’

She shuffles closer to the table putting her elbows down and hugging the cup. Her focus is completely on me, waiting, wanting to know how I can be so calm about her son being questioned about a dead woman.

‘That woman who died has a son, Ellen.’

Ellen nods without moving her stare.

‘Turns out Tom is the father of that boy.’

I let it lie there between us, dangling like a piñata in the air. This massive revelation. Ellen’s mouth slowly opens but nothing comes out. It’s the first time I’ve seen Ellen speechless.

‘Congratulations, Ellen, you’re a granny again.’ I turn away from Ellen’s stunned gaze and pour the remaining coffee down the sink. How do I continue? What do I say next? It’s not up to me to be ruining everyone’s life, that’s supposed to be Tom’s job. Big Bad Tom.