A shoe box of photographs lay open on the garden table.
‘I ended up pulling these out of the cupboard.’ Helen gestured towards them. ‘We never look at them now as everything’s on our phones or the computer.’
On the top of the pile was a photo similar to Eden’s, but showing a slightly different arrangement of the group.
‘It’s funny thinking of us as we were then,’ said Helen. ‘Frozen in time. A perfect shot, perfect lives, except we’d been bickering over something just a few minutes before.’
Lexie picked up the photo, studying it more closely than Eden’s. The photographer hadn’t given them time to ready their smiles and pose as a cohesive group. Helen stood a little away from the others, gazing at the ground. Her hair was shoulder-length, longer than she currently wore it, and she looked smart in tailored trousers and a pale green top. Gareth and Madelaine were at the other end, their arms linked. Madelaine wore the type of floaty summer dress that Lexie would love to own but which would end up looking like a crumpled rag after a day with three children.
‘Are these your friends from university?’
Helen nodded.
‘Tell me a bit about them.’
‘The guy next to Gareth is Laurence Foley. They played rugby together in the university team.’
Laurence had the pink-cheeked look of a country boy which didn’t go with his pumped-up muscles. He wasn’t as tall as Gareth but was broader.
‘I never knew Gareth played rugby,’ said Lexie.
‘He was captain, but ended up with a tendon problem after university. Hasn’t been on a rugby field since.’
That was probably why he looked much fitter in the photo than now.
‘Who’s this?’ asked Lexie, pointing to a dark-haired woman. She wasn’t beautiful in the conventional sense like Madelaine, but her tanned skin and green eyes were striking.
‘That’s Renelle. She shared a flat with Madelaine and Eden before me. I moved into her room in the flat after she left.’
Although Renelle had moved out of the flat, she had obviously stayed in touch with the group and met up socially. Eden hadn’t changed; even at university she had the same short, pixie hairstyle that suited her so well. In the photo she held hands with a dark-haired guy, tall and lean.
‘Who’s that with Eden?’
‘Mitch. They were an item through university and for a while afterwards until they broke up.’
Even from a photo Lexie could see some interesting dynamics within the group. The photographer had caught Renelle as she flicked back her long, dark hair, but her attention appeared fixed on Mitch, a jealous expression on her face. Mitch held Eden’s hand, gazing at her as she chatted with a man on her right.
‘Who’s Eden talking to?’
‘Spike Lamont.’
‘The film director?’
‘Yes, but he wasn’t famous then either.’
Lexie ran her finger along the photo. This was some group of university friends: an actress, a film director and a journalist. Initially, she hadn’t recognised Eden Sandiford when she first met her, although her name sounded familiar, but at home she realised she’d watched some of Eden’s reports on the evening news. If she had famous friends like these, she’d find it hard to not talk about them at least once, but Helen had never mentioned any of them. Madelaine’s classic beauty meant she would always stand out in a crowd, but Lexie’s gaze lingered on Spike. He would never be called handsome, but had an impudent grin and his roguish character shone through.
‘I met Madelaine once,’ said Lexie. ‘Just for a few minutes. The show was in a tiny theatre and I talked to her in the bar afterwards. She was very talented.’
Helen nodded, but didn’t say anything.
Flicking through the websites earlier had reminded Lexie of those years in her first jobs after university. When Madelaine died, Facebook and Twitter were still in their infancy. While her death was undoubtedly devastating to her family and friends, at the time she was still an unknown to the world at large. The Legacy of Time was shown at the Sundance festival some months after she’d died. From there it gained attention, leading to wider distribution, and became a sleeper success, winning awards and finally making Madelaine the star she had always dreamed of being.
‘I never knew her like you did,’ went on Lexie. ‘But after I met her, I discovered we shared the same birthday. I saw the film, which was brilliant, but didn’t find out until afterwards that she was dead. It felt freaky, somehow. There wasn’t much written about her death at the time. If it happened now, social media would dig into every aspect of her life and death.’
‘Like vultures,’ said Helen.
Lexie wasn’t sure whether to press on with her question; Helen was less than forthcoming with her comments about Madelaine. Oh well, Helen could always tell her to shut up.
‘The only thing I noticed was an inquest into her death. The coroner recorded an open verdict.’
Lexie let the silence hang around them until finally Helen spoke.
‘Madelaine died of an overdose of pills and alcohol.’
‘Did the open verdict mean they weren’t sure if it was accidental or whether she meant to kill herself?’
‘I suppose so. She didn’t leave a note.’
‘What did Eden think about the verdict?’
‘I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her.’ Helen stood and unpegged the washing from the line, her back to Lexie. She folded the dry clothes in silence.
Lexie picked up the photo again. ‘As you’re in the photo, I guess it was taken after Renelle left the flat. She still hung out with everyone, then?’
‘Occasionally. She lived in London.’
‘Why on earth did she leave Bristol University and move to London before finishing her degree?’
‘I wasn’t there. It was an ugly time, no one wanted to talk about it.’
And she obviously didn’t want to talk about it now.
Helen glanced at her watch. Time to pick up the children from school. Lexie followed Helen out of the house.
‘You know the trouble with old friends?’ Helen said, locking the front door. ‘You’re never quite sure what they’ll do or what they’ll make you do.’
As Lexie drove to the school, she glanced in her rear-view mirror several times at Helen’s car behind her. Recalling Eden’s fleeting expressions and the way she pushed some topics, she’d put money on Eden having an ulterior motive for her visit. Was it about Madelaine’s death? Did Gareth and Madelaine’s relationship have something to do with it?
Helen had said she should ask Eden, but Lexie thought she needed a strong reason for initiating a personal conversation with Eden; otherwise the other woman would simply brush her off. The idea came to Lexie as she parked the car. She could write a feature on women in dangerous jobs. Eden’s fell into that category. It would make an interesting article, but more importantly, it gave her a reason to ask questions.
3
Lexie Wyatt
Nettleford, Dorset
2018
During the week Lexie had a call from Helen inviting her and Nathan to a local restaurant on Saturday evening.
‘The dinner was Eden’s idea,’ said Helen. ‘Although I suppose it’s an obvious thing to do. Gareth’s worked late most nights and what with the children we haven’t seen much of Eden.’
Lexie had been scoping out her idea on the “women in dangerous jobs” article, and had thought she’d wander along the lane to the rental house to ask Eden if she would be a part of it, but now decided she would broach the subject at dinner. It also gave her a little more time to prepare and contact other possible interviewees as she didn’t want to give Eden any opportunity to refuse.
The babysitter was late, and Lexie and Nathan were the last to arrive at Sandrino’s restaurant. As soon as Lexie sat at the table she sensed the tension emanating from Helen and Gareth. In contrast, Eden sat back in her chair, sipping some sparkling water and surveying the photos on the restaura
nt walls showing Lake Como, Pompeii, the Grand Canal in Venice and, of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Surely she must be aware of the disquiet; to Lexie it seemed like a tangible presence. Hunter, Eden’s boyfriend, looked uncomfortable as he glanced around at the group.
After the initial greetings, everyone picked up the leather-bound menus on the table and studied them intently. Helen’s foot tapped against the wooden floor. Every now and again she stopped the tapping, but within a minute or two the staccato beat would start again. Gareth repeatedly rubbed his jaw, as if not sure whether he’d shaved before coming out. Lexie had never seen either of them so anxious.
The waiter took their orders and removed the menus. The conversation stuttered along for a few minutes until he returned with their drinks. Lexie hoped the wine would ease the mood.
‘You’ll find Nettleford quiet after the places you visit,’ said Nathan.
Lexie breathed out a quiet sigh. Thank goodness for Nathan. He must have noticed the uncomfortable tension around the table, and was so good at taking charge of the conversation in a subtle way. She smiled gratefully at him across the table. The greeny-blue shirt he wore was one of her favourites, and although it was only early summer, his arms were already lightly tanned. What would she do without him?
‘Don’t underrate quiet,’ said Hunter.
‘I can’t imagine what it must be like for you, let alone the people who’ve been driven out of their homes,’ said Lexie.
‘The lucky ones arrive exhausted and hungry, clutching a few belongings. The unlucky ones have seen some or all of their family murdered.’ Eden put down her glass of wine, gesturing with both hands. ‘There are so many, they crowd out the existing camps and have to survive in makeshift shelters. When the relief trucks arrive, they struggle to get a bag of rice or a little water. That’s when the violence starts. Every day is a fight for survival. Illnesses that we shrug off kill them, sometimes within hours.’ Eden stopped, taking in her surroundings. ‘It’s always a conversation stopper, but I can’t help myself. Hunter and I are fortunate; we can leave when we want.’
Hunter spoke, softening the tone. ‘It’s lovely to be able to go out for an evening like this. We’re both looking for some down time before heading back.’
‘I admire what you do,’ said Lexie. ‘Somebody needs to.’
‘People often spend years in these camps. Raising awareness is one small way to make governments do something. Nobody deserves to live their life in a refugee camp.’
There was a fleeting silence after Eden’s remark before Hunter spoke. ‘We’re lucky to have jobs that we’re passionate about.’
There was another awkward pause before Lexie spoke to Eden. ‘Have you managed to meet up with any other friends since you’ve been back?’
‘No,’ said Eden as Hunter nodded. ‘Oh yes. I forgot. I saw Spike briefly in London.’
Over the next few minutes waiting staff brought their meals and more drinks. As they ate, Hunter asked Nathan about his work. Nathan loved his job managing a factory making aircraft components for Omega Aviation, and he was only too happy to talk about that and his love of planes. Gareth joined in the conversation at times, but Helen was mostly silent during the meal.
Later, as they sat with drinks, Lexie broached her idea of the “women in dangerous jobs” article to Eden. Eden didn’t appear too interested, so Lexie talked up her plan.
‘I’m interviewing a female firefighter next week, and I have some interviews arranged with women police officers.’ Her father, a police detective, had promised to ask the officers he worked with if any of them wanted to take part. He was persuasive and Lexie was sure she’d get at least one who’d agree.
‘Do you come up with ideas and then approach magazines to see if you get any takers?’
‘No. I write solely for Tempo magazine. It’s a Sunday supplement of The Day newspaper. I’ve already spoken to my editor and she’s really keen. Our average circulation for the Sunday paper is just over a million and we’re the only newspaper to increase our weekend sales year on year, making us the best performing title for the ninth month in a row. Which all adds up to excellent exposure for the work you’re doing.’ Lexie paused to let his information settle before nonchalantly mentioning an MP and several reasonably well-known female CEOs and business entrepreneurs she’d interviewed for other articles.
Eden agreed to an interview, as Lexie had guessed she would.
After interviewing the female firefighter the following week, Lexie stopped off at the park to go over her interview notes. The woman obviously loved her job, although Lexie couldn’t think of anything worse than running towards a fire while everybody else ran in the opposite direction.
Lexie took her phone and notebook over to a bench in the shade and put in her earbuds to listen to the recording of the interview. As she listened, she added to her written notes and considered the arc of the feature. It could run over two editions, using the different perspectives and types of jobs as well as the ways in which different industries and professions had opened up for women to work in these roles. She added other questions she could use in future interviews.
Behind her, a car door slammed.
‘Hey, Lexie. Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.’ Eden sat on the bench, placing a water bottle between them. ‘How are you?’
‘I’ve just come from my interview at the fire station and was jotting down some thoughts about the magazine feature while they’re still fresh in my mind.’ Lexie added a final note to her page and closed the book. ‘What brings you to the park?’
‘Thought I’d go for a run.’ Eden took a sip from the water bottle, but didn’t make any attempt to stretch or warm up. ‘I woke up with a headache this morning and thought the fresh air and exercise might move it.’
‘Good idea. The park is lovely, although Nettleford must seem rather ordinary after all the places you’ve lived.’
‘I’ve never been here before, but it looks pleasant. Gareth and Helen obviously like it.’
‘It’s a great place to bring up children, lots of open space and the coast is just a short drive, but I thought you might prefer somewhere with more going on, like London.’
Eden gave her a quick sideways glance. ‘We’ll spend some time there. For now we’re visiting Helen and Gareth.’
‘It must be hard to keep in touch with people when you’re travelling a lot. Are you planning to catch up with any other friends?’
Eden gave a noncommittal grunt.
Talk about hard work; Eden didn’t give away too much.
‘I grew up and studied in London and lived there until we moved to Nettleford a couple of years ago and I haven’t kept in touch with any of the people I used to know. You’re doing heaps better than me.’
‘I guess there are some people you like to see regularly and others you’re happy to leave behind.’
Lexie was sure this was a lightly-wrapped dig at her, but kept her temper in check. ‘Oh, there’s definitely some I’m happy not to meet again. What about the others from your university group? Have you kept in touch with any of them?’
‘Only Spike. I spent Christmas with him in New York and we caught up earlier in the year when he was filming in South Africa. It’s been ages since I last saw the others. Sad, when we were so close.’
‘Did you all meet at Bristol University?’
‘No, Madelaine and I grew up together, lived on the same street. We were so close we never even contemplated studying in different cities.’
‘How about the others?’
‘Spike and I met at some optional workshop thing and hit it off straight away. We have the same sense of humour. A bit harsh for some people. Madelaine met Gareth at a party. He and Mitch were good mates and shared a flat together.’ Eden shrugged, suggesting that covered everything, and took a sip from her water bottle.
‘How about Renelle?
‘I don’t remember exactly.’ Eden’s tone was dismissive. ‘The other girl in the flat moved ou
t to live with her boyfriend. Madelaine heard about someone looking for a room and Renelle moved in.’
‘And Helen? Was she part of the original group?’ Lexie knew the answer from her conversation with Helen, but was interested to see if Eden would tell her more.
‘No. Renelle had a bit of trouble and moved out. Helen answered our ad for the room.’
The only spark of animation from Eden was when she talked about Madelaine and Spike. There was no way that she had come to Nettleford simply to catch up with friends. Lexie wanted to find out more about this group, but Eden’s tone was brittle and Lexie sensed she had an unpredictable nature and thought it best not to push too hard. Time to use a more oblique route so she didn’t jeopardise the interview opportunity.
‘Did you always want to be a journalist? The firefighter said she’d never wanted to do anything else and her favourite toy was her brother’s fire truck. Her parents ended up buying her one.’
‘I enjoyed writing at school, but I never thought about it as a job.’
Lexie nodded, musing over the answer. ‘It is hard sometimes to figure out how to turn things you enjoy doing into a job. Did you use your writing skills for after-school activities?’
‘During secondary school I had stuff published in the end-of-year publication and as part of a project I created a school newsletter. Nothing earth-shattering. I got bitten by the journo thing when I had flu one winter and had to stay in with Mum and Dad every evening for a while. They watched the news and I became fascinated listening to stories from around the world. I started reading the newspaper, not for the actual news but to dissect the stories. To figure out what worked. What grabbed my attention and why.’ Eden’s posture was rigidly straight and she looked uncomfortable opening up about herself.
The Worst Lie Page 2