“That’s a lie,” I almost shout, standing up. “He attacked me. He was waiting for me. I never said anything about a pedophile. I was trying to warn him.”

“You were very…upset at the thought that a teenage girl might be having a relationship with an older man?”

“Of course—I’m…I mean, I was her teacher.”

“It’s not because it has bad memories for you of Greg Lewis? Or your sister?”

I shake my head and sit back down, fold my arms again. “I told you, I helped him out in the garden; he was a family friend, that’s all.”

There’s a long silence as Detective Levinson stares at me.

“Okay, Tess. Thanks for coming in—that’s all for now.”

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

I’m on my way to Dean House when my phone rings. It’s Sophie.

“Tess—are you okay? I’m sorry, but I’ve only just seen your message.”

“Message?”

There’s a pause. “The text you sent. I was in class when it came through.”

“I didn’t send you a message.”

A longer pause. “Yes, you did. Scared me shitless, actually.”

I didn’t send her a message—I didn’t. Where was my phone this morning? I had it on charge, but I’m sure it was in my room with me. But what about when I showered? When I went downstairs to get coffee? Jack and Sean are still in the house. So are Max and Lena.

I squeeze my phone so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t break. “What did the message say?”

“It…it barely made sense. You were rambling about the police and murder and the bones they found…Tess, I’m worried about you. The police came to the school and Rebecca’s parents came in.”

“It’s fine. I’m fine. There’s…the police are asking all of us questions. But there’s nothing to worry about, is there? I didn’t do anything.”

“Are you sure?”

I gasp.

“Sorry, I’m sorry,” Sophie says. “But what you said to me about lying to the police. And your behavior—ever since your dad phoned about Julia and you knew you’d have to go back. The Rebecca thing, that message—everything’s wrong, Tess, everything.”

“Jesus, Soph. I can’t believe you’re even suggesting…”

“I’m not. Not really. But I don’t think you should stay there anymore. Remember when you asked me to come home with you? Meet your dad and Julia? You acted so strange. It was like you were scared. Not just reluctant to go back to a place full of bad memories, but actually scared of the woods and the village.” She stops. I can hear her breathing. “I think…the memories you’re suppressing. I think it’s more than what happened to your sister.”