The Missing Wife

by Sam Carrington

  Louisa had to suppress a pang of jealousy. She’d let herself go. Maybe that was one of the reasons Tiff was garnering so much attention from Brian and Oliver.

  ‘What’s the urgency, Lou? Someone died?’ Tiff air-kissed her as she swept in through the front door.

  ‘Not yet,’ Lou said tersely as she closed the door. She took a moment to compose herself before following Tiff into the kitchen.

  ‘No water?’ Tiff said, bending down in front of the fridge.

  ‘Garage.’

  Tiff threw Louisa a blank look.

  ‘The bottled water. It’s in the garage,’ Louisa said without moving. Tiff, finally realising she was going to have to fetch it herself, disappeared through the utility door. Louisa heard the fluorescent strip light in the garage pop several times before it illuminated, followed by Tiff’s excited voice.

  ‘Oh, wow, Lou! You never told me you had a drone.’ Tiff reappeared in the kitchen, minus the bottled water, but with Brian’s new plaything in her arms.

  ‘It’s new.’ Louisa really couldn’t muster the energy to explain further. All she wanted was to get to the point of why she’d asked Tiff over: to talk about Brian and Oliver, and find out what the hell was going on.

  ‘Can I borrow it? Brian wouldn’t mind.’ Tiff fluttered her eyelashes, and despite it being in a jokey way, Louisa flinched. Was that all she’d had to do with Brian? She turned her face away from Tiff, not able to look her in the eye. A knot of tension was forming in her stomach. One that would only increase in size unless she started asking Tiff the questions that were plaguing her. It seemed though, that first she’d have to get the flying thing off Tiff’s agenda now she’d seen it.

  ‘What would you want with that thing?’

  ‘It’ll be perfect for the church event! They’re opening the tower tomorrow for villagers to climb up and see the view. Sarah is also involved—’ Tiff rolled her eyes dramatically ‘—much to my annoyance. Reverend Forsey apparently asked her – but having this would be the best one-upwomanship ever!’

  ‘How so?’ Louisa was intrigued now, in spite of her underlying need to change the subject.

  ‘Well …’ Tiff held the drone up as she spoke, zooming it around like a child would a toy aeroplane. ‘Don’t you think it would be great if it recorded each person being at the top of the tower, while doing a three-sixty shot around the church? It would look awesome. And be a great permanent record of the celebrations. Does it take still shots as well as video?’ Tiff twisted it around, concentration etched on her face.

  Louisa shrugged. ‘Yes, I guess so. And it’s a better use for it than what Brian’s likely to find.’ Although it wasn’t hers to lend, after that morning’s conversation she assumed Brian would be fine with Tiff using it for one day. ‘Do you know how to use it properly though?’

  ‘Can’t be that hard. It’s got instructions, and I can read you know. I’m also a fantastic driver, so should be simples.’ She smiled. ‘Right. Water.’ Tiff placed the drone on the worktop and went back into the garage. Louisa took some steadying breaths.

  As soon as Tiff came back with the water, plus the box for the drone, Louisa dived in with her question.

  ‘Why was Oliver at yours on Monday?’

  Tiff’s face blanched. She turned her back on Louisa, filling the kettle with the water from the bottle. She was buying time, Louisa assumed.

  ‘It was nothing really, Lou,’ she said, still facing away.

  ‘If it was nothing, why did you push me away – telling me you were too busy?’

  She gave a nervous giggle. ‘I was busy. He popped in not long after you texted me, and I told him the same as I told you. But he was there, then, so I said I could give him five minutes.’

  ‘What did he want? How did he know where you lived? Why cover up the fact he was with you when I turned up?’ Louisa had so many questions they were almost tripping over themselves on her tongue.

  ‘Hold on, hold on. There’s no rush now, is there?’ Tiff busied herself with pulling two mugs from the cupboard, then rummaging around for the coffee jar and a spoon.

  ‘Stop stalling, and tell me what the hell is going on, will you?’ Louisa strode across to Tiff, snatching the jar and spoon from her and quickly making the coffees to stop Tiff dragging it out any longer.

  Tiff stood back, a look of shock on her face. ‘I’m not stalling, Lou,’ she said, indignation oozing from her tone.

  ‘It seems that way to me. So, carry on. Tell me, why did Oliver show up at your house?’

  ‘Just to talk, he said. He’d been out walking on the common, early, as he hasn’t been able to sleep since Melissa went missing. He saw and recognised my car in the driveway as he passed by.’

  ‘You don’t think that’s a bit stalkerish?’

  ‘He’s your friend—’

  ‘No, Tiff. He’s some guy I used to know a lifetime ago when I was at college.’

  Some guy who covered up the terrible thing I did.

  ‘Well, a lifetime ago or not, he seems to really want to help you.’

  ‘Help me? What do you mean?’

  ‘You know, help you with your lost memories.’ Tiff took a sip of her coffee, but her eyes remained trained on Louisa’s.

  She’d never told Tiff about her dissociative amnesia. Not even hinted that she’d experienced a traumatic event during her college years. The fact Oliver had been talking about that with Tiff worried Louisa, and her mind raced as she jumped to conclusions about what else he might have disclosed.

  ‘Has Brian been visiting you, too? Spilling his guts about how he’s trying to help me as well? You really are the popular one, aren’t you?’ Louisa’s neck burned, the heat creeping upwards like a plant seeking sunlight.

  ‘Lou, don’t.’ Tiff shook her head gently.

  ‘Why? Because you don’t want people thinking the same about you as you do about Sarah?’

  The words were out before she had thought through their implication.

  ‘It was a mistake coming here.’ Tiff tipped the contents of her mug down the sink and banged the mug down on the drainer. She grabbed her handbag and slung it over her shoulder. ‘Perhaps we can talk again when you’ve come to your senses, Lou.’

  ‘Don’t be so patronising,’ Louisa hissed.

  ‘I’m just trying to be your friend. Lord knows you could do with one by all accounts.’ She headed for the front door.

  ‘Don’t forget your fucking drone,’ she shouted after her. ‘It’s important you look good in front of everyone.’ Louisa folded her arms firmly across her chest.

  Tiff turned back, her mouth in a tight line, air forcing its way through her nostrils.

  ‘Thanks.’ She lifted the drone and placed it back in its box, then carried it out the front door leaving Louisa, hot tears tracing down her cheeks, standing alone.

  Regretting her words.

  Regretting that she’d allowed her only friend to walk out the door without even confiding in her the real reason for her behaviour.

  35

  THE UPDATE

  Friday a.m. – Day 14 post-party

  Oliver stood on the top step, one arm reaching up, his hand pressed against the wall, the other hand brandishing a pink envelope. Louisa purposely kept him there. She didn’t want him to assume he could just waltz right in like he belonged in her home.

  ‘What do you want, Oliver?’

  He frowned, then brought his arm down by his side. His posture appeared stiff, almost rigid. ‘Wanted to wish you a happy birthday.’ He smiled. ‘Any chance you fancy a cuppa?’ He lowered his head to make eye contact with Louisa.

  ‘I was about to go out, actually. I need to see Tiff.’ She watched for a reaction. His face didn’t alter, but he was quiet for a moment, as if figuring out what to say.

  ‘I wouldn’t bother with Tiff.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ She narrowed her eyes. Had she told him about their argument?

  ‘I mean, there’s no point going over there. I’ve just c
ome from that way – her car’s not in the drive.’

  ‘Oh. Of course.’ She tutted, her top lip curling in disgust. He’d probably been in her house again, doing whatever, talking about her, no doubt. She’d thought the unknown person in Tiff’s back garden on Tuesday was Brian, but it could equally have been Oliver. Him and Tiff both slating her. That’d be about right. ‘You two have become quite pally, haven’t you?’

  ‘Is that a hint of jealousy I hear, Lou-Lou?’ he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

  ‘No. Not at all. It’s actually just bloody annoying.’ Oliver looked taken aback, his ego clearly dented, but she carried on. ‘Aren’t you the slightest bit worried about your wife? Or have you moved on already?’ Louisa bit her bottom lip – she hadn’t meant to go that far. Now, seeing his face lose its colour, she wasn’t sure if she’d made him angry, or whether he was merely upset by her harsh comment.

  ‘Wow, Lou. That was cutting,’ he said, his voice quiet, velvety. ‘I’m going to put it down to the fact you’re tired and you aren’t feeling quite yourself after, well, you know. I don’t think you really want to hurt me.’

  He didn’t take his eyes off hers. A prickly sensation crawled under her skin. She suddenly felt exposed and wanted to get back inside her house, close the door on Oliver.

  ‘I just don’t understand you, Oliver. I don’t get why you’re hanging around at Tiff’s. I saw you and she said you’d been over there. Some crap about wanting to help me remember? I mean—’ she snorted ‘—what’s that all about? Why are you talking about me with her?’

  ‘Calm down, Lou-Lou.’ He took a step closer to her. ‘I think you’ve got your wires crossed. Are you sure that’s what Tiff told you? Because I’m wondering if you’ve misinterpreted—’

  ‘No. There’s been no misinterpretation. She was here on Wednesday and she told me that part at least. God knows what she isn’t telling me.’

  ‘But you have been mixing things up recently. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but please think about it carefully first. You don’t want to be throwing accusations around now do you?’

  It may be too late for that.

  ‘I saw you, coming out from Tiff’s house. I’m not throwing accusations about without having evidence, and I’m not mixing anything up. I saw what I saw, heard what I heard.’

  ‘Oh, Lou. This is why we’re all so worried for you, don’t you see? Brian confided in me that you were suffering from hallucinations, strange visions that meant you were unsure of what was real and what was a dream. You have to accept this could be happening now, with all this nonsense about Tiff.’ Oliver put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘I feel responsible, in part at least – me telling you about the woman; well, that must’ve tipped you over the edge. I’m so sorry.’ He smiled, and Louisa had an uncontrollable urge to slap his face. She clasped her hands together, taking a huge, ragged breath.

  She knew what she’d seen and heard. It had been real. Tiff had been in her kitchen, had told her about Oliver visiting her and then she’d taken the drone. Had they talked about Brian and Oliver? She shook her head. Yes, yes – of course they had. She mustn’t let Oliver put doubt in her mind. They had that conversation, they’d had that argument and Louisa had said things she regretted.

  If only it weren’t real, if only it had been a hallucination. But it wasn’t.

  ‘Let’s stick to the here and now then, shall we? Come in.’ She stepped aside to allow Oliver to pass her. She slipped her phone out of her jeans pocket and tapped the voice recorder icon before pocketing it again. This was one conversation she wanted to know for sure wouldn’t be questioned later down the line.

  ‘Here’s your coffee,’ Louisa said, handing Oliver the mug. She then sat at the wooden table in the seat opposite him. She repositioned herself so that her right side was closest to him, so her phone could pick up his voice clearly.

  ‘Thank you. Here’s your card,’ he said, sliding the envelope across the table. She thanked him without taking it, leaving it unopened in the middle.

  Oliver sighed. ‘Right, let’s start again, shall we? I hate feeling there’s animosity, any mistrust, between us, Lou-Lou.’

  ‘Me too.’ She smiled. ‘First though, I should apologise for being snappy with you and saying that about Melissa.’

  Oliver flicked his hand in the air, brushing away her apology. ‘No need. It’s a really stressful time for both of us, bound to hit snags.’

  ‘Yes, well. Have the police been in contact?’

  ‘Only to say they’ve followed up all the information they’d received, which wasn’t a lot anyway, and now they’ve hit another wall. No new leads, Lou.’ He hung his head. ‘It’s only a matter of time isn’t it, before they give up totally?’

  ‘I think you should stay hopeful. Unless there’s any reason you know of that you shouldn’t.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, you mentioned an argument, Oliver. You said it yourself – you’ve lied for a very long time about the … other thing … You’re good at lying. Are you sure you’re telling me everything about Melissa’s disappearance?’ She had to broach the topic, had to know why he’d have lied about Melissa being at the fortieth party now she knew it wasn’t the case.

  ‘Are you suggesting I had something to do with it?’

  ‘Did you?’

  ‘I’m not going to dignify that with an answer.’

  ‘Says every guilty person ever.’

  ‘What is wrong with you, Lou? I’ve never laid a finger on Melissa, never would. Yes, we had an argument; I told you that the very first day I came here – I never tried to hide that fact. It was about you, like I said. But then she stormed off, away from me. Possibly away from the party, but no one seems to have witnessed that, so who knows where the hell she went and with who.’

  ‘No one witnessed it because not a single person saw her, Oliver. Are you sure it’s not you who’s hallucinating?’

  ‘Very funny. None of the guests knew her, did they, so all I can assume is they didn’t take any notice of her and that’s why they now can’t recall seeing her.’

  ‘Seems implausible to me.’

  ‘So does killing a woman and then forgetting you’ve done it.’

  Louisa’s pulse jumped. He had a point. She fell silent.

  ‘Stalemate,’ he said.

  Louisa pressed her hand to the mobile phone in her pocket. The recording would have to be deleted. She’d gained nothing apart from now having incriminating evidence against herself on there.

  ‘What are you going to do now? Go back to York?’

  ‘No. I thought I’d hang around for a while – I still have the business project to set up. And besides that, I can’t face the thought of travelling back without Melissa. I need to be where she was last seen. She may come back to our rented flat. I would hate it if she returned to an empty place. She’d think I gave up on her.’

  ‘I suppose. But, Oliver?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I don’t want you coming here again. I think it’s best if we cut ties.’

  ‘Really?’ His voice rose an octave, panic fleeting across his face. ‘But I need you, Lou-Lou. And Brian has been such a rock. Please don’t take everything from me.’

  ‘I haven’t taken anything from you. Anyway – Tiff can be your rock. That’s a better option for you than me and Brian. You need to let us be. It’s not right – your friendship with my husband, it’s weird.’ Louisa rose, making her way to the front door.

  ‘But you are taking everything then. You took my heart a long time ago; now you’re taking away my lifelines.’

  ‘No, Oliver. You took mine. And all you’ve given me since you’ve been back is grief. I can’t bear the thought of seeing you all the time. You’re a reminder of what I did. What you did to cover it all up. I can’t live with that on my conscience.’

  ‘We’ll see,’ Oliver said. He got up from the table and left the house without a backward glance.

  3
6

  THE DRONE

  Friday p.m.

  She owed Tiff an apology. And the truth. She’d left it yesterday, deciding it would be best to let things cool down – she knew Tiff would be busy and preoccupied with the church event anyway. Today though, Louisa had to pay her a visit – explain why she’d been so stabby on Wednesday. After her awkward chat with Oliver this morning she needed to see her friend – to set things straight.

  Louisa had run through it all in her mind. From the moment just over two weeks ago that she’d found the text message from Tiff on Brian’s phone, she’d allowed her thoughts to go into overdrive. Conjuring all sorts from nothing, like a magician pulling rabbits from an empty hat. It was possible she was also doing the same with Oliver: blowing something up out of nothing. Oliver was right: she had received a shock, one that had rocked her very foundation. The fallout from that might be why she was now over-reacting to everything. Seeing things that weren’t there.

  The last two weeks had been hell. Today, her actual birthday, could go by without celebration as far as she was concerned. The card from Oliver was torn in half and placed in the bin, despite it having been the only evidence it was her birthday. She’d not even had a ‘Happy Birthday’ greeting from Brian when she’d awoken that morning. It didn’t matter though; Louisa just wanted to forget all about it. She’d had the fuss, the cards, presents – the party – so there was no reason to mark the occasion now anyway. And if she was honest, hitting forty – which she’d been dreading already – had been the catalyst for everything bad that had happened since.

  She wished she’d stayed thirty-nine. Wished Brian had never even considered throwing her a surprise party. Most of all, she wished Tiff hadn’t hacked into her Facebook account and wreaked havoc. While she did regret her behaviour on Wednesday, she couldn’t let her off the hook. In the end, this was all Tiff’s fault.