Most people would be surprised to learn how easy it is to make someone disappear. I checked the weather, made sure I knew when to expect the most torrential rain, a mere two days after I’d killed Lily. Historic levels, they’d said. July Fourth festivities canceled. The threat of riverbanks bursting. An increased risk of accidents. Everyone had been advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and so I let Patrick know I could come in to work after all. And what do you know, while I was there, he found a misplaced envelope with six hundred and eighty-three bucks in his office, where it had “slipped” behind a cabinet.

“Lily must have put it there for some reason and I didn’t see it,” Patrick had said, putting a hand to his chest as he let out an emphatic sigh before running a theatrical hand over his brow. “Thank God. That would’ve been so embarrassing. I don’t want to lose Lily, she’s an amazing worker and everyone loves her. You were right, and I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions like that.”

“What she doesn’t know won’t kill her,” I said with a smile. “Actually, seeing as I’m not taking time off, she was hoping I could cover her shifts for the next couple of days. She and Ash are quite the lovebirds and want to go on that road trip together instead. I said I didn’t mind and I’m happy to help. And I was wrong. Things between them are working out after all.”

“How lovely,” he said, beaming. Of course. Everybody loved Lily.

“Between you and me,” I whispered, leaning in, “she’s moving here permanently and I’m so excited. It’ll be like having a sister.”

Patrick had agreed to my covering her shifts, as I knew he would, and I sent a message to Lily’s phone, telling her about the good news. Once I got home after work, I implemented the next part of my plan, texting Sam from Lily’s cell.

The pill stuff was a big misunderstanding. Ash and I are okay. Things are great and back on track!

His reply was swift. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you both.

I’d left it an hour or so, before replying, We’re leaving for Brookmount soon. We’ll speak to the cops, pick up his things and I’m moving to Maine. I can’t wait!

Cue multiple heart-eyes emojis, to which he’d replied with a series of happy faces. The genius of modern technology. You can pretend to be anyone if you have their details, although using her credit card had been a problem. Turned out Little Miss Spender had almost no money left, but I’d found a way around that.