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

by Shalini Boland

  My phone buzzes again.

  ‘Do you want to get that?’ he asks.

  I sigh. ‘Maybe I should check, just in case it’s Kelly.’ I pull my phone from my bag and see that there are two new text messages. I stop breathing for a moment. They’re both from the same unknown number.

  Hello Tia.

  …

  I’ll destroy the photos if you’ll agree to meet me.

  I take a breath and try to decide what I should do. Should I show the texts to Ed? Or is there now a way I can resolve this without involving my husband?

  ‘Everything okay?’ Ed asks.

  ‘It’s just Kelly.’ The lie trips off my tongue easily and I feel ashamed. ‘Can you hang on a minute while I text her back?’

  ‘Sure.’ Ed gets to his feet. ‘Is she all right?’

  ‘Not sure.’

  ‘Send her my love. I’ll put the shopping away while you’re doing that.’

  ‘Thanks.’ I don’t dare look up at him in case he can read the lie on my face. I leave the kitchen and go into the lounge, my heart pounding. I read the messages again and try to decide what I should do. But my fingers take over and I text back:

  When?

  The reply is almost instant:

  Tonight.

  Thirty-One

  Ashridge Falls teacher faces multiple charges of sexual assault

  Married father of two, Brian Lawson (41) – who teaches history at Ashridge Falls Senior School – appeared in court today, just two weeks after his arrest.

  Lawson is charged with committing sexual offences against three girls under 16. One of these offences is alleged to have taken place last month. The other two incidents are alleged to have happened last year. However, the previous victims have only recently had the courage to step forward and speak out.

  Mr Lawson appeared before Ashridge Falls Magistrates Court on 24 July and was released on bail until 20 September, when he is due in the dock at Portreach Crown Court. His bail was set with conditions that prevent him going near the school. He has also been ordered not to attempt to contact his alleged victims.

  Presiding magistrate Penelope Fitz told him: ‘That means no contact at all – physical, verbal, electronic, or getting someone to pass them a message.’

  Carl Beasley, Portreach Council’s director of children’s services, said: ‘We have worked closely with the police, and will continue to do so, in conducting enquiries that led to the arrest and subsequent charging of Brian Lawson for offences relating to minors.

  ‘We would like to praise the prompt action of both the teaching staff and police in taking action and dealing with this quickly once aware of the concerns.’

  Detective Inspector Leonard Pagett from Portreach Constabulary’s Public Protection Department said: ‘Specialist officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit have visited several families as part of our enquiries. Police are working closely with the County Council to identify, contact and speak with anyone who may have further information.

  ‘Detectives are responding swiftly and sensitively to ensure families are supported while the court case continues.

  ‘At this delicate early stage of the legal process, it’s important for people to avoid jumping to inaccurate assumptions about this situation. We know there will be concern in the community, but please work with us by contacting police to discuss any information or queries you may have directly.’

  Colin Williams, headteacher of Ashridge Falls Senior School, said: ‘It is upsetting to inform parents that a member of teaching staff has been charged with offences relating to children.

  ‘This is distressing for both parents and staff at the school, who are obviously shocked.

  ‘We are working with the police to support this investigation, and I am reassured how quickly this has been dealt with so far.’

  He added: ‘I can understand that this situation will be of huge concern to parents and carers of pupils at the school, but I hope they can accept that, because the legal process is under way, we are unable to comment further at this time.

  ‘I would, however, ask that parents and students refrain from speculation about the case, as such talk can be misguided and could even affect the legal process.

  ‘The safety and protection of children is our first priority and all staff are subject to enhanced CRB checks before they are cleared to work.’

  Lawson has been suspended by the school pending the outcome of the trial.

  Thirty-Two

  Sunday

  KELLY

  Fiona turns off the engine. It’s strange to be back home. Feels like weeks since I was last here. I can hardly believe the regatta was only yesterday. I get out of the car, stretch and gaze around a street that seems all at once strange and familiar. The ground-floor curtains to the house opposite suddenly close, which is a little strange, seeing as it’s bright daylight outside. Maybe they’re having an afternoon nap. I turn back to see my next-door neighbour, Margo, look up from tending her front garden, her grey hair dishevelled and the knees of her trousers grass-stained. I manage to smile and give her a short wave. I should ask her about her husband Bob’s broken wrist. She’s always been a lovely neighbour, but I don’t have the energy for a conversation right now.

  ‘Shame on you,’ she says, gathering her gardening tools and heading back towards her front door.

  My mouth falls open, and I glance back to see if the boys heard what she said, but they’re only just getting out of the car. Fiona, on the other hand, looks as outraged as I feel.

  ‘What the hell?’ she mouths at me.

  I now see that a few other neighbours across the street have come out of their houses. They’re chatting to one another, and not so subtly looking in my direction. This is ridiculous! Do they really believe I held Sophie prisoner in my attic? I’m a widowed mother of two who’s known most of them for over a decade. I can’t let the boys see that anything’s wrong, so I usher them towards the house.

  As we step in through the back door, the boys race off to their bedrooms, happy to be back. By contrast, I feel odd being back inside my home. Like I’m an intruder. My mind is racing. Correction, it’s whirling and spinning, especially after what’s just happened outside. Not to mention that I’ve just discovered Sophie’s husband is a teacher at Ashridge Academy.

  ‘What an old witch,’ Fiona hisses. ‘I thought Margo was supposed to be nice! Want me to have a word with her? Set her straight?’

  ‘No, leave it. Let them all gossip. They’ll soon get it out of their system. Unless…’ I can’t even complete my sentence.

  ‘Unless what?’

  ‘Unless I…’

  ‘What? You’ll be cleared of all this nonsense, Kels. And then your horrible neighbours will have to apologise for being total you-know-whats.’

  ‘I hope you’re right.’

  ‘There’s no “hoping I’m right” about it. The whole thing is preposterous.’

  My belly feels like it’s filled with rocks. Everything seems so hopeless and awful right now. And the worst thing is that I’ve felt like this before. Years ago, when I couldn’t go anywhere without being stared at or bad-mouthed. When I was the subject of vile gossip. But I can’t bring that up now. Not with Fiona, of all people.

  ‘Thanks, Fi. I don’t know what I’d have done without you this weekend. You should go, though.’ I try and fail to sound brighter. I don’t want to be a burden. ‘You’ve done so much already, looking after the boys and picking me up from the station. I’m taking up too much of your time.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Kelly. I’m more than happy to stay for a while. For as long as you need me to.’

  ‘Thanks, hon.’ I can’t deny that it’s nice to have a bit of moral support; someone to talk to rather than facing everything on my own. ‘Do you want a cuppa?’

  ‘Yes, but I’ll make it. Why don’t you go and have a shower and get changed? You must be feeling grotty after your night away.’

  ‘You read my mind. I’ve actually
been yearning for a long soak in a bubble bath, but I’ll have one later. I’d like a cup of tea first.’ I sit at the table while Fi busies herself making us tea. ‘So what do think about Sophie’s husband being a teacher at Ryan and Sonny’s school? It’s a bit of a weird coincidence, don’t you think?’

  ‘Hmm, maybe.’

  ‘Why maybe?’

  Fiona shakes the tea canister. ‘You’ve run out of teabags.’

  ‘New packet in the larder.’ I stand up to fetch it, but she waves at me to sit back down.

  ‘I guess he has to work somewhere. Ashridge Falls isn’t exactly a huge place.’

  ‘Yes, but if he’s a teacher at school called Mr Jeffries, why did he say his name was Jones when he came round here looking for Sophie?’

  ‘That’s a good point.’

  ‘I’ll buy into the fact that he’s a local teacher. But why did he feel the need to give me a false name? Unless he’s up to something shady.’ I lean my elbows on the table and rest my chin in my hands. ‘This whole thing is so strange. I mean, first Sophie shows up here looking for somewhere to hide from him – her supposed abusive husband. And then she pretends that I’ve been holding her here against her will. It doesn’t make any sense. I feel like my head’s going to explode.’

  ‘And you didn’t accidentally lock her in the attic?’ Fiona asks.

  I give her a look. ‘No, I didn’t accidentally lock her in the attic. Why would I have done that? The door doesn’t even have a lock. Anyway, she’s claiming I tied her to a chair. And that’s not something you can do accidentally.’

  ‘Just asking. Trying to help you get to the bottom of what’s going on.’ Fiona brings our drinks over and sits next to me. ‘Do you know which neighbour helped her “escape”?’

  I shake my head. ‘No. Not sure I even want to know. I’m certainly not going to ask. It’s bad enough having all the neighbours gossiping about me, without having to confront them face to face. Although after the way Margo was behaving out there, it sounds like it could have been her. Sophie must have filled her head with all kinds of lies. I’m seriously considering moving house.’

  ‘You can’t let them drive you away.’

  I sigh and lean back in my chair. ‘You’re right. I love this house. I could never move. But you know what I mean. It’s not going to be particularly nice, having to face that lot out there every day.’

  Fi blows on her tea and takes a sip. ‘So what happens now?’

  ‘I have to go to court the week after next.’

  ‘Does that mean you’ll need a lawyer? I could ask Nathan if he knows anyone good. I’m sure he does.’

  ‘Actually, I quite liked the duty solicitor. They assigned him to me at the police station and he was quite straight talking and easy to get along with.’

  ‘Yes, but is he any good? What’s his name?’

  ‘Saul Barker.’

  Fiona gets out her phone.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘What do you think? I’m googling him.’ She taps and scrolls for a few seconds. ‘Here he is. Ooh, I can see why you want to keep him. He’s gorgeous.’

  I shake my head and tut. ‘Not interested.’

  Fiona points at me. ‘You’ve gone red. You think he’s hot.’

  ‘So childish.’ I smile to let her know I’m not too annoyed.

  She smiles back. ‘I’m just trying to cheer you up a bit; lighten the mood. But I know it’s not the time. I don’t know what’s wrong with me at the moment. My judgement’s off.’

  ‘It’s the perfect time. Otherwise I’d just curl up in a heap and cry.’ My voice cracks and I clear my throat to try to disguise it. But I’m too late, because Fiona throws her arms around me and squeezes.

  ‘It’ll be fine, Kel. I won’t let anything bad happen to my best friend.’

  ‘Distract me,’ I say, pulling away from her warm hug and patting my cheeks to try to get my emotions under control.

  ‘With what?’

  ‘Anything. What’s going on with you at the moment? I’ve been so self-obsessed that I’ve been ignoring all my friends lately. Tia wanted to talk to me about something and I just haven’t had the time. So, is everything good with you and Nathan?’

  Fiona shrugs and nods.

  ‘Is that a yes? Or a not sure?’

  ‘Things are the same as always.’

  ‘He must be chuffed with his win yesterday.’

  ‘Yeah. He really is.’

  I get the feeling that Fiona doesn’t want to talk about Nathan. I get that a lot since Michael died. My friends are wary of talking about their partners in case they upset me or something. Just because I lost my husband, doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk about my friends’ relationships. But I won’t push it for now. Hopefully if there was a real problem, Fiona would confide in me. ‘And work?’ I add. ‘How’s Salinger’s?’

  She doesn’t answer straight away.

  ‘Fi?’

  ‘Are you sure you want to know?’

  ‘What do you mean? Is there something up?’

  ‘Don’t worry, it’s fine. I won’t bore you with it now.’

  ‘Fiona, tell me.’

  She stares down at her mug and I notice a tear drip into her tea.

  ‘Fi, what’s wrong?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’ She wipes her eyes. ‘I shouldn’t be burdening you with my crap when you’ve got so much more to deal with.’

  ‘Psht.’ I wave away her worries about me. This isn’t like Fi. She never has emotional outbursts. She’s usually the calmest, most self-controlled person I know.

  ‘Kelly, I’ve done something stupid.’

  ‘Haven’t we all, love,’ I quip, trying to put her at ease.

  ‘This is really stupid though. And now I think I’m going to lose everything because of it.’

  ‘You mean Salinger’s?’

  ‘I mean everything.’

  ‘Nathan?’

  ‘He won’t forgive me. He’s got such high expectations, Kelly. You don’t know what he’s like. He thinks I’m this perfect wife. He thinks I’m so successful and in control, but I’m not. It’s all falling apart.’

  I can’t imagine what Fiona can have done that could be so awful. I bet it’s not as bad as she thinks it is. She puts such pressure on herself. She always has. ‘Just tell me, Fi. You know that if I can help in any way, I will.’

  She sniffs. ‘I know.’

  I go over to the dresser and fetch her a tissue.

  ‘Thanks.’ She wipes her eyes and nose.

  ‘So?’

  ‘Earlier this week I had a visit from a couple of tax inspectors. They’re doing an audit of my business.’

  I relax a little at discovering her worries are business related. Not that I think it isn’t important, but compared to her marriage or her health, hopefully this is more easily fixable. ‘Try not to worry. I’m sure tax audits are quite common, aren’t they?’

  ‘I don’t know. But… well… I think someone reported me.’

  ‘They reported you to the tax office?’

  She nods earnestly, her eyes still red.

  ‘Why would anyone do that?’

  ‘Lots of reasons. People don’t like me, Kel.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, of course they like you.’

  ‘They don’t. They think I’m a cold, snooty bitch. But it’s only because of what happened. I just can’t seem to connect with people.’

  ‘You mean since…?’ I don’t finish my sentence; we both know what I’m talking about.

  She shrugs and nods. ‘But anyway, this is nothing to do with that. I’m rambling about stuff that isn’t relevant. Basically, someone reported me. I think it could’ve been Molly, or maybe even Paul Barton—’

  ‘Really?’ I curl my lip. I’m not keen on our childhood dentist either. Even less so nowadays.

  ‘Yeah, and he was all over you at my birthday night out.’

  ‘Ew, don’t remind me. He visited the school this week and told Sonny
to say hello to “his beautiful mother”.’

  ‘He visited the school?!’ Fiona’s eyes widen.

  ‘Only as part of a dental-hygiene thing. Nothing sinister. Barton’s a prat, but I don’t think he’d do something as awful as reporting you. Surely not. You think it could be him because he wants your premises?’

  She nods and then shrugs. ‘Maybe. But even though the thought of someone reporting me is horrible, that’s not actually why I’m so upset.’

  ‘So what is it?’

  ‘I’ve done something stupid…’

  I wait for her to go on, but she’s obviously having a hard time getting it off her chest. ‘You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.’

  ‘No, it’s, well it’s embarrassing and humiliating, and I feel awful admitting it.’

  ‘No judgement here.’ I hold up my hands.

  ‘Okay, so…’ Fiona carries on staring at her mug of tea. ‘I used money from the business to buy personal things like clothes, jewellery and home stuff. Things that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford.’

  ‘I don’t understand, Fi. What’s wrong with that? It’s money you earned, right?’

  ‘Yes, but the things I bought weren’t strictly things that related to work, I just paid for them as if they were.’

  I still don’t understand what the problem is.

  She looks up at me and lowers her voice. ‘I treated them like business expenses when they weren’t. What I did is illegal. I could go to prison.’

  ‘Oh.’ I’m not sure what to say to her. Aside from the fact that I’m in shock we could both end up behind bars for completely different reasons. How did our lives start falling apart so quickly? Now I’m really beginning to worry for my friend. ‘Well, I’m sure if you put the money back into the business it’ll be okay.’

  ‘I’ve spent thousands over the past few years. Too much to pay back.’

  ‘Really? Look, Fi, I’m sorry if I’m way off the mark, but I thought you and Nathan were well-off. Like, multi-millionaire well-off.’