One of Us Is Lying: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a brilliant twist

by Shalini Boland

  While Nathan regales us all with a blow-by-blow account of the race, Ed slings his arm around his wife and gathers his kids in towards him, dropping kisses onto their heads. I swallow down the bitter taste that I might be just the tiniest bit jealous of Tia.

  Nathan finally brings his race story to a close. ‘Bad luck, Ed. Better stick to cooking.’

  ‘There’s always next year,’ Ed replies.

  Nathan grins. ‘Bring it.’

  I catch sight of Kelly, who’s hanging back from all the banter. She’s gazing out across the lake and I realise how hard today must have been for her. Aside from all the earlier drama with Ryan, the regatta always used to be about Michael. He was an accomplished sailor who used to win every race he entered. If he was still alive today, it would have been him with the gold medal, and not Nathan. Not that Kelly ever cared about who won, but I wouldn’t blame her if she left before the prize-giving ceremony. So many painful memories.

  Kelly catches me staring and I give her a smile.

  She returns it half-heartedly. ‘Guys, I think we’re going to head off now.’ She glances around to locate Sonny and Ryan.

  ‘Finally,’ Ryan mutters.

  ‘Do we have to go?’ Sonny asks. ‘I want to stay till the end.’

  ‘It’s almost the end,’ I say. ‘That was the last race.’

  Sonny sighs. ‘I wish it could last forever. I like it when everyone’s here together. It feels really nice. Like it used to be with Dad.’

  This brings a lump to my throat and I turn away so the kids can’t see the tears that are threatening. Michael was a lovely man. Steady and calm. He was a great dad to his boys and it’s heartbreaking that he’s no longer around. I feel like I probably haven’t been a good enough friend to Kelly over the past few months. She’s one of those people who never asks for anything, but always tries to be there for everyone else. I resolve to do more for her. To help out with the boys. I know I’ll probably never have any children of my own, but I love Ryan and Sonny, so I’ll get more involved with them. I’d love to be the sort of person who they feel they could talk to about anything. Another grown-up who has their back.

  We all help Kelly gather up her things and then kiss her goodbye. I manage to give Sonny a quick hug, but Ryan hangs back, so I just give him a short wave and a smile. I’m gratified that he returns it. That kid is so angry, yet so adorable. When he smiles, you feel as though you’ve won a prize.

  After Kelly and the boys have gone, Ed ropes Nathan into going with him to the mini funfair with Leo and Rosie, and I find myself left alone with Tia. I sit on one of the camping chairs and start rummaging through my handbag for my phone, just for something to do.

  Tia comes over with the remains of the champagne and two plastic glasses.

  ‘Not for me, thanks.’

  ‘One glass won’t hurt, Fi. Live a little.’

  I grit my teeth and try not to huff out loud as she pours two measures and hands me one.

  ‘Cheers.’ She knocks her glass against mine and pulls up another camping chair, plopping down heavily into it. ‘Today must have been rough on Kels.’

  I nod in agreement. ‘How do you ever get over losing the love of your life, the father of your kids? Everything today must have reminded her of him.’

  ‘I’d die if I lost Ed.’

  ‘Yeah.’ I think about how I’d feel if Nathan died. And then I try desperately to think about anything else.

  ‘So, what’s been going on with you, Fiona?’

  I sense an element of snark in her voice. Something that’s been let loose by the champagne she’s consumed.

  ‘Same old.’ I don’t particularly want to share my troubles with Tia.

  ‘So, there’s nothing you’d like to tell me?’

  ‘Like what?’ I turn to look at her. She’s staring at me with some kind of accusation in her eyes, but I can’t work out why. In fact, she’s acting extremely strangely. Could she have something to do with what’s been going on at work? Could she be the one who reported me to the tax office? She’s always been envious of my career, and of my closeness with Kelly. Does she still hold a grudge against me for having been Ed’s girlfriend? She has so many reasons not to like me, but would she go so far as to try to ruin my life?

  Tia drops her gaze and leans back in her chair, gulping down half her glass of champagne. ‘You know, you’re a great designer, Fi.’

  A compliment? ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Are you any good at photography?’

  ‘I’m okay, why?’

  ‘Just okay?’

  ‘Yes, I’m not a professional. If you need a decent photographer I can give you a couple of names. Is it a family portrait you want?’

  ‘No, I don’t need a photographer. I’ve got enough photos for now.’

  ‘Oh, okay.’ I have no idea what she’s talking about. But I’m pretty sure she’s drunk.

  She wobbles to her feet and her camping chair falls over. ‘Photos of me, Fiona. Know anything about them?’

  There’s definitely something weird going on with her. I’ll have to speak to Kelly about it; see if she knows anything. ‘Maybe you should go home and have a lie down, Tee. I can let Ed know you’ve gone, if you like?’

  ‘A lie down? Ha! Good one. You think I had a lie down with someone else, but I didn’t.’

  I stand up and pull out a bottle of water from my bag. ‘Drink this while I go and get you a coffee.’

  ‘Don’t need any of your water or coffee. I’m going home.’

  ‘Shall I come with you?’

  ‘No. I can walk home on my own, thank you very much.’

  I think about going to fetch Ed to look after his wife, but he’s with the kids and it’s better if they don’t see Tia like this. Maybe I could get Ash. I glance around but can’t spot him or his family anywhere. And anyway, Tia wouldn’t thank me for letting her brother know she’s had too much to drink.

  ‘See you, Fi.’ Tia gives me a wave and starts marching off up the bank towards the path. She’s still talking to herself and I consider going after her, but I can’t deal with more of her drama right now. I have enough on my plate.

  Instead, I sit back down in my chair, sip my glass of warm champagne and try to block out the myriad anxieties that are vying for attention in my mind. I focus on the blue lake and the hazy sky. On the warm wind and the friendly atmosphere of the regatta. Before I’m even halfway to relaxing, my phone pings with a text.

  It’s from an unknown number, so it’s either spam or a potential new client. I open up the message and start to read:

  Hello Fiona. If you think things are bad now, you’re wrong. Soon you’re going to get everything you deserve.

  My skin prickles uncomfortably. Is this some kind of threat? I re-read it and realise with a sickening lurch that it is. Maybe it’s something to do with the tax audit. Is this the person who reported me? Could it be Tia? Surely not. With clumsy fingers, I text back:

  Who is this?

  It doesn’t matter who this is. What matters is what you DID.

  What am I supposed to have done?

  Your sins will find you out.

  Shit. Whoever this person is, they’re not all there. I drop my phone into my lap and glance around, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable out here in the open air. What the hell do they want with me? My heartbeat skitters around my chest as I realise I might just understand what they’re referring to. But that can’t be it. Surely not. That was all so long ago. It’s finished. Done with.

  My phone rings, making me almost jump out of my skin. What if it’s the texter wanting to speak to me? There’s no way I’m going to have an actual conversation with them. No way, no how. I’ll just let it go to voicemail. Gingerly I lift my phone from my lap, holding my breath as I look at the screen. I exhale when I see that it’s only Kelly. Maybe she’s calling to say she’s left something behind.

  ‘Hi, Kelly.’ I’m so shaken up that I decide I’m going to tell her about the text. But as she starts
talking, it’s obvious something’s very wrong.

  Twenty-Four

  TIA

  Walking back along the lakeside path, my head starts to pound, and my stomach feels decidedly unsettled. I can’t exactly remember what happened back at the regatta, but I think I just made a gigantic idiot of myself in front of Fiona. I was rambling about the photos, and she didn’t seem to have the faintest clue what I was talking about. Unless she was just pretending of course. That’s a strong possibility.

  She always seems to get my back up. I saw her looking down her nose at my cut-off shorts. Probably thought I was showing off too much leg. Probably thought I was dressed like a teenager. Well, I like how I dress. I’m not going to change what I wear because of snooty Fiona and her immaculate designer wardrobe. Some of us can’t afford to dress like a princess.

  And it wasn’t just Fiona making me feel like crap. Lucinda Blethin and some of the other school mums were giving me the evil eye over something or other. I’m wondering if it was to do with that stupid rumour. Rosie hasn’t talked about it again, but that doesn’t mean that other kids aren’t gossiping about it. And if they told their parents then it’ll be all over town by now. Great, that’s all I need. Those bloody women could have at least tried to be a little more subtle about it instead of pointing and whispering like bitchy teenagers. I shudder, thinking back to the last time I was the subject of gossip. A time I wish I could forget.

  I fumble in my bag for my phone and text Ed to tell him I’m on my way back home, although Fiona’s probably told him by now. I bet she’s also told him that I had too much champagne. She’ll make it sound like I’m drunk. My phone vibrates with a message. It’s Ed. He’s telling me not to worry. Says he’ll stay on at the regatta with the kids for another hour or so.

  Thank goodness for Ed. He’s quite literally the most perfect husband in the universe. I don’t deserve him. I love him so much. My eyes fill with tears, which is ridiculous. I realise that maybe I am a bit tipsy, but so what? It’s what you do, isn’t it? You go out, have fun and have a few drinks. Ed doesn’t mind. He knows I like to enjoy myself. It’s what he loves about me. My fun-loving attitude.

  But what’s he going to say when he finds out about the photos? I can’t even prove that they’re fake because I don’t remember what went on that night. It’s all still a blank. I know I’m burying my head in the sand about the whole thing. Hoping it’ll all go away of its own accord. I still haven’t even attempted to look for an expert to examine the photos. And I’ve been avoiding my brother’s calls. He’s pushing me to tell him what’s really going on, but I don’t want him to know. I should never have gone to see him about it. That was a big mistake.

  My phone vibrates once more. Must be Ed again. But when I look at the screen, I see it’s a text from an unknown number. I stop walking and take a breath before opening the message:

  Make the most of it Tia, because your marriage will soon be over.

  A wave of panic hits me.

  I knew they’d be back in touch, and I knew I wouldn’t like what they had to say, but as I read the text again, my fingers are trembling with shock.

  I clumsily tap out a reply:

  Who is this? What do you want?

  There’s no response, so I send another one:

  If you don’t tell me what you want, I’m going straight to the police to show them your messages.

  Of course I’m bluffing, but I don’t know what else to do. Whoever it is seems intent on intimidating me. They still haven’t asked for anything specific or said what all this is about. I realise that the effects of the champagne have suddenly worn off, and I’m stone-cold sober, like someone has chucked a bucket of icy water over me. Although my head still throbs, and my throat is so parched I can barely swallow. My phone vibrates with a new message, and I’m suffused with a queasy dread.

  I wouldn’t go to the police if I were you. Your brother can’t save you now.

  My brother? So they know my brother’s a police officer. Did they see me go and speak to him? Have they been following me? I type angrily:

  Why shouldn’t I go to the police? You can’t keep harassing me like this.

  I can do whatever I want. After what you did, you deserve a lot worse.

  What am I supposed to have done?

  You know what you did. The rumours about you are true.

  The rumours? My heart begins to pound and my mind buzzes with fear.

  Tell anyone and the photos will be forwarded to every person on your contact list.

  I go rigid. The thought of them sending out the photos to my contact list doesn’t bear thinking about. Aside from ruining my marriage, there’s my family to consider, the other parents from school, teachers, friends, everyone… I’ll never be able to hold my head up again.

  Why are you doing this? Who are you?

  I wait, but there’s no response. I try calling the number, my heart in my mouth as I listen to the ring tone. But no one is picking up and the number doesn’t seem to be connected to an answering service. After twenty rings I end the call and tap out another text:

  Hello

  Answer me

  Please

  But they’ve obviously said all they’re going to say. Thank goodness I received the message while I’m alone and not back at the regatta with everyone else. Did whoever it is do that on purpose? Do they know I’m by myself? I try to survey the area without making it too obvious, but I’m in too much of a state to be subtle. There are a couple of families dawdling up ahead. Behind me, the regatta is winding down and emptying out. But it’s still reasonably busy. The noise from the funfair carries on the breeze. Derek is still talking non-stop into the PA system, but his words are blurred and unintelligible, a monotonous drone. As I glance around like a frightened rabbit, I don’t even know what I’m looking for – a lone man or woman hiding behind a tree, staring at me… I shake my head and keep walking. Maybe I’m still drunk. There’s no one paying me any attention out here. Whoever it is, they’re hiding behind their phone. Too cowardly to face me.

  Again, I get the feeling that it could be all Fiona’s doing. For a start, she knows I’m on my way home alone. I left her sitting by herself, so now would be the perfect time for her to send a text. I did try mentioning photographs this afternoon to gauge her reaction, but either she’s a really good liar or I’m way off the mark. Would she really stoop to doing something so awful? The thing is, I can’t think of anyone else who might have a reason to want Ed and I to split up. Maybe she still loves him. Although she’s always going on about how she and Nathan are blissfully in love. Unless she’s lying, but I can’t see it somehow; they’re so well suited.

  Fiona and Nathan Salinger think they’re some kind of super-couple. It always gets so competitive when those two are around. It’s like, who can be the most successful, the most beautiful, the most in love. It’s annoying. But is that Fiona’s doing or Nathan’s? He’s one of those guys who has to win at everything. I honestly don’t get what Fiona sees in him. Sure, he’s rich and good-looking in an obvious way, but he’s also a bit of a dick.

  The texter also mentioned ‘the rumours’. Could they be talking about what happened at school with Rosie? Surely not. That’s just kids making stuff up. Isn’t it? Unless… No. That was all too long ago. It can’t be anything to do with that, surely.

  Ugh, my head hurts. I don’t want to think about this anymore. I just want to get home, crawl into bed and sleep.

  Twenty-Five

  KELLY

  ‘You know you did amazingly out there today, Ry.’

  My son grunts in response. We’re walking home and I’m trying to bring him out of his gloomy mood, but it’s hard work – we’re all hot and tired. Sonny is walking by my side humming to himself and yawning. He’ll sleep like a log tonight. We all will.

  ‘Your speed was incredible. Everyone was so impressed.’ I pause. ‘Your dad would have been proud.’

  He stops walking for a moment and turns to me. ‘Do yo
u think so?’

  ‘I know so.’

  ‘Even though I capsized?’

  ‘All sailors have capsized at one time or another, even your dad. It was exciting to watch,’ I lie – it was terrifying. ‘And brave.’

  Ryan kicks at some loose gravel, but his face goes pink and I can tell he’s pleased. I know today wasn’t perfect. That he’s angry with himself for falling in. But it’s a start on the road to getting my boy back.

  ‘So, shall we have a celebration dinner tonight?’ I don’t want to overdo my gushing, but I can’t help it. I’m happy that Ryan is finally showing an interest in life again.

  ‘Yeah, okay, but I came last so it’s not exactly a celebration.’

  ‘We’re celebrating your spectacular return to the world of sailing.’

  ‘Mu-uum.’ Ryan rolls his eyes.

  ‘What? I’m just teasing. It’s what parents do.’ I’m echoing Michael’s words. He used to tease the boys mercilessly, but they loved it and would always give as good as they got. It’s time I brought some light-heartedness back into our lives. ‘So, pizza or sushi?’

  ‘Pizza!’

  We turn into our road and my eye is caught by something flashing up ahead…

  Blue lights. There’s a police car and an ambulance parked outside our neighbours’ house. I hope it’s nothing too serious. They’re an elderly couple – Bob and Margo – and Bob had a fall a few weeks back and broke his wrist. And then I’m gripped by panic as an alternative explanation occurs to me. I quicken my pace, wishing the children weren’t here… just in case. I debate whether to send them back to the regatta.