It took me less than a split second to decide which path I had to take on this. I didn’t want to lie to him, but I had to, and my plans had already been set in motion. Some of the little things I’d pretended I’d mentioned and insisted he’d forgotten were only the beginning. My work schedule, covering for Barbara—he’d seen those as tiny, seemingly innocent slipups, but it wouldn’t be enough. That’s why I’d told him the plumbing for the bathroom in the garage had been his and Brad’s work, when it had been Ash and mine. If or when he thought he remembered us working in there together, I’d insist he was mistaken. It would make him doubt himself, and the reliability of any recollection he had. Did I want to lie to him now about the love of soccer he shared with his dad? No, of course not, but I had no choice. I needed to make sure he’d believe me when I explained away any significant memory that resurfaced, and told him it was pure confabulation, something that had happened differently, or not at all. I had to be careful, make sure I only ever lied about something nobody else could contradict. It had to be done.

I let an empathetic look slide across my face, walked over to Ash and gave him a hug.

“What was that for?” he said, his body tensing under my touch, making my breath catch.

“Oh, Ash,” I said, holding him tighter still. “I’m so sorry, but Brad hated soccer.”

17

LILY

After I finished my lunch, had two coffees and worked up the courage, I got back in the car, plugged in the address for Drift and headed to the center of Newdale. My belly contracted as I thought about a possible encounter with Maya, almost hoped it wouldn’t happen so I’d have more time to prepare. I’d find a place to stay for the night and go back to the Cliff’s Head tomorrow, or the day after... No. This wasn’t the time to be a coward. Maya potentially held information about Jack. There was no way I’d return to Brookmount without seeing her face-to-face, and the sooner I could engineer a meeting, the better.

Drift was located on Main Street, and a large, polished wooden sign with the store’s name carved in italics hung over the bright green door. The lights inside were on, and after I dumped the car a hundred yards down the street because all the other parking spots were taken, I got out and stood on the sidewalk, trying to make my feet move.