34 Days: A gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist

by Anita Waller

  They disconnected with a laugh, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

  Michael looked at her, aware of the relief etched on her face. ‘Everything good?’

  ‘Yes, you’re called Andy, and you were some random fan who got carried away after the goal was scored and hugged me. Mark accepted that quite happily, because he’s a massive fan, but Tim’s different. He’s a bit half-hearted about football, and doesn’t understand the feeling of a goal being scored. He does now.’

  ‘So we’re okay again?’

  ‘I think so. Jenny didn’t see it. But, don’t forget, she’s seen my phone. She knows there’s an MG out there who sends me cheeky texts. And who gets cheeky texts back from me,’ she added with a grin.

  ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re a little bit scared of Jenny?’

  ‘Not scared, more…wary. Don’t forget they lived in Leicester, not Lincoln, so I don’t really know her all that well. I’m getting to know her better now they’re in Lincoln.’

  ‘Right, pass me your phone. Let’s stop her seeing anything else that’s private.’

  He set the passcode on the phone and handed it back to Anna. ‘It’s 0112, like the safe. Do not tell anyone that code. I’m going to change mine to the same number so we can access each other’s phone, but nobody else can. Is that okay with you?’

  ‘Yes, that’s fine. It makes sense, doesn’t it?’

  ‘It certainly does. So is life, our lives, back on track now? Can we breathe again?’

  ‘We can,’ she said. ‘For the moment.’

  ‘Well, I hate to say I told you so, but didn’t I say that football match would be no good for us? Didn’t I try to talk you out of it?’

  ‘You did, my love. I’ll go on my own next time, and then we won’t get into trouble.’

  He frowned. ‘Oh, no, you won’t. I want to know more about this snog with Westwood! You’re a married woman, you know. You can’t go around snogging goalies. No, I’ll have to go with you.’

  She laughed. ‘Admit it, Michael Groves. You thoroughly enjoyed it, didn’t you? Going again has got nothing to with my potential infidelity, you bloody enjoyed it!’

  Chapter 47

  Jenny had listened to the conversation between Mark and Tim with interest. Apparently, they had seen Anna in the crowd on the kop, and they had initially thought she had gone with a man.

  She decided not to draw attention to anything by asking to see the playback; they knew she had no love for the game. Mark had set it to record back in England; she would watch it at her leisure when the children were back at school and Mark back at work.

  She put it out of her mind for the rest of the holiday, deciding Mickey Mouse was far more interesting than Anna Carbrook and her MG. She would deal with her when she got back home.

  Everyone was dejected waiting at the airport for their flight. Tim and Steve had accompanied them; everyone was miserable, knowing it would be a while before they met up again. They watched the four of them go through to the departures area and slowly began the walk back to the airport car park.

  ‘We need to go and see your Mum,’ Steve said, staring one last time out of the window at the huge machine that would take the Carbrooks back to England. ‘I didn’t say anything when you and Mark got all wound up about the football match, but I’m sure she knew that man. She’s a very wealthy woman, Tim, so maybe we should go over in a couple of weeks, check things out.’

  Tim stared at him. ‘But, you said nothing...’

  ‘I’m saying it now. I didn’t want to say anything while Mark was there, and I wanted to rearrange some free time for us so we could go. I’ve done that now. We’ll book our flights when we get back. Is that ok?’

  ‘I knew I was right to worry. Let’s hope she can put our minds at ease when we go there.’

  ‘Tell her we’ll stay with her. That way, we’ll soon know if there’s a man in the offing. There’ll be something of his there.’

  Tim nodded. ‘Thank you, Steve. You knew I was still concerned, didn’t you?’

  Steve frowned. ‘It was obvious. I hope there is nothing. But, if a man has clicked on to the fact she has quite enormous wealth now, we really do need to know who he is. She’s gone through enough this year. I would hate to see it get worse.’

  They exited the building and headed towards where they had left the car. Tim threw the keys to Steve. ‘You drive. I’ve got too much to think about.’

  *****

  The Carbrooks arrived home just after 6.00am, and Jenny ushered Adam and Grace off to bed. Mark checked everything was okay then sat down with his wife to enjoy a cup of tea.

  ‘I’ll put a wash load in, and then I’m off to bed as well,’ she said.

  ‘I’ll stay up a bit. Just need to unwind. I bloody hate Tim being over there. He’s my brother. It was Dad’s fault, you know.’

  Jenny stared at him. He never said a bad word against Ray. She had always thought he idolised his father, believing he could do no wrong. She waited, curious to know what he would say next.

  ‘Yes, he refused to believe Tim was gay. Couldn’t imagine him having feelings for Steve, because that wasn’t what real men did. The furore that night was unreal. Mum kept trying to intervene, and in the end I got Tim out of there and took him to Steve’s house, where Steve was telling his parents he was going to move in with Tim.

  ‘The situation was a bit different there, I can tell you. They were delighted, really liked Tim. Tim was in a bit of a state, as you can imagine, so I stayed for quite a while and then headed off home. Dad had disappeared, and Mum was in the bathroom, bathing her injuries. She was in a mess; he’d hammered her for sticking up for Tim.

  ‘Caro came downstairs when she heard me come in; she was still a kid, and had heard it all. I comforted her best I could and got her back in bed. Next day, Dad turned up saying he was really sorry, but Mum had to go get patched up at the hospital. That wasn’t the first time he’d hit her, but it was the most serious. It changed her. I think, in her mind, she became his employee rather than his wife, until that day she walked away.’

  ‘So Tim left?’

  ‘Yes. Dad never spoke to him after that. Within six months, Tim and Steve had moved to Florida, and they’re happy and doing really well, in spite of Dad, not because of him.’

  Jenny sensed a change in Mark. He had always said he could never work with his dad, but she had thought it was just a clash of personalities. She hadn’t realised the depth of his anger towards Ray, because of his treatment of Anna. She felt vindicated for what she had done to rid this family of a monster. And she appreciated how Mark was starting to open up, to confide in her about the important things he had buried while his father was alive.

  Jenny waited, but he said nothing else. He seemed lost in thought and then suddenly stood. ‘I’m going for a little walk. Won’t be long.’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll sort the washing, and then I’m going for a nap. I’m setting an alarm though, don’t want more than a couple of hours or I won’t sleep tonight.’

  With Mark’s departure, the house became quiet once more. Jenny stared out of the kitchen window for a while, and then went to open the suitcase filled with dirty laundry. She started the machine and sat back down at the kitchen table, clutching a second cup of tea, staring into space.

  She needed to contact Anna, invite her to come over. They had bought her gifts, and Jenny knew she would want to see the children. The letters would come with her, and she could get them safely stowed away until the investigation died a death. Gainsborough clearly had no idea where to turn next, and it was looking as though it would be one of life’s mysteries—the Lincoln serial killer who just stopped killing.

  Jenny moved into the lounge and switched on the television, checking that the football match had been recorded. It had, and she switched it off again; she would save that bit of viewing for when she was on her own.

  With the washing machine humming in the background, Jenny went to bed, sleeping almost immediately.


  *****

  Heading back into the kitchen some two and a half hours later, Jenny found Mark had mowed the back lawn and was now sitting at the table eating biscuits and drinking tea. He smiled at her.

  ‘Sorry about this morning. Bit of heart searching going on, I think. Just ignore me. I’ve finished the back lawn, going to tackle the side now and get that done, then I’ll see how I feel. If I’m tired, I’ll have a nap. If not, I’ll try to make it through to tonight before sleeping.’

  ‘Okay,’ she responded with a smile. He looked exhausted, no matter what he might be saying. She figured he would be in bed by six.

  Jenny made some lunch, and then called Adam and Grace. Grumpiness was written all over their faces; they were obviously still tired.

  ‘Okay, here’s the deal,’ she said. ‘If you both smile, I will feed you. If you don’t, you’ll have to help Dad mow the side lawn. Without pizza.’

  They both smiled.

  *****

  Both children had opted for baths rather than showers before bed; ensuites in every room were definitely blessings, Jenny decided. Mark looked drained, and she made him go to bed at the same time as the children. He almost fell asleep in the shower, and finally succumbed the instant his head touched the pillow.

  Jenny tidied everything away, put yet another wash load into the washer, and then switched on the television. She scrolled down the recorded programmes and pressed for the football.

  At first, she was tempted to fast forward, but then realised she didn’t really know at what point they had seen Anna. She hadn’t wanted to let anyone know she was concerned so thought it best not to ask. She watched intently.

  Jenny winced as two Arsenal players were stretchered off in the first twenty minutes, but kept her eyes peeled as the cameraman swept through the crowd. He concentrated on the Arsenal supporters; their team was being decimated, and he was catching the expressions of the fans admirably.

  And then came the twenty-seventh minute, with a cracking shot on goal from Ross Wallace. She saw it a further three times before the camera swept along the spectators, this time focussing on the Kop fans.

  And there was Anna. The exhilaration showed on her face as she turned to the man next to her, who was already holding open his arms. His head moved slightly, and in that brief moment, Jenny sucked in her breath and held it.

  She exhaled slowly and rewound the recording to the ball going into the net. The split second Anna came on the screen she froze the picture. She moved along a frame at a time and saw him. The man she had seen in Anna’s car park was the man at the match.

  But, of more consequence than that piece of information, was she knew him; she knew who MG was.

  He was the genetic father of Mark and Tim. The angle of his head as he turned, combined with the same design Sheffield Wednesday scarf Mark always wore, left her in no doubt she was looking at an older version of her husband. What she couldn’t understand was why the brothers hadn’t seen it; she put it down to they were there to see the football, she was there to see the fans.

  Jenny moved closer to the screen and took several pictures on her phone before closing down the television. She sat on the sofa, zombie-like. She tried to remember the conversation she had had with Anna when Anna was confessing to the affair she had had when the twins were conceived; what name had she said?

  Jenny felt sure she had only said a first name, but she couldn’t bring it to mind. It clearly began with M – had she said Mark? Had she dared to call one of the twin boys after the man who had fathered them?

  She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift to the scene. They had been sitting in Anna’s lounge in her first apartment, sitting on camping chairs because she had no furniture. And she had made Anna talk. It had been a reluctant conversation at first, but then Anna had really opened up, telling her that Michael...!

  Michael! That was the name Anna had given her. But, Anna had said he was dead. He didn’t look very dead in his Wednesday scarf; in fact, he looked very much alive. Anna obviously hadn’t trusted her enough to be honest about everything; she didn’t want Jenny to know Michael was still alive and contactable. Michael and Anna were reunited, and if Anna loved him as much as she had said she did, then might she just tell him secrets he really shouldn’t know?

  Her worries had now increased tenfold.

  Chapter 48

  Michael placed the cup of tea on her bedside table and then sat by her side. He leaned across and kissed her.

  ‘What shall we do today?’

  ‘Well...’

  He looked at her, his head to one side. ‘Well what?’

  ‘Shall we test the waters?’

  He looked puzzled, not sure how to respond. ‘What waters?’

  ‘Well...’

  ‘Well waters? At Buxton? I assume they’re tested all the time.’

  ‘Now you’re being pedantic, Michael Groves.’

  ‘I am?’

  ‘Yes. I know someone who might not throw up their hands in horror at the idea of us being together.’

  ‘We’re not just together. We’re married.’

  ‘I know. You’re being pedantic again.’

  ‘Okay. Perhaps you can be more explicit?’ He smiled at her.

  ‘Don’t patronise me, Mr. Groves. I have powers you know nothing about.’

  ‘You have powers I know a lot about,’ he whispered and leaned over to kiss her again. ‘Shall I get back in bed for us to test out these powers?’

  ‘No. You’re out of favour now. Now listen to me.’ He looked dejected, and she tried not to laugh. ‘I want to go to Doncaster.’

  ‘To the market? The races? The retail outlet?’

  ‘No. I want to see Charlie and Dan. With you.’

  ‘With me?’

  ‘Yes. With you.’

  ‘Okay...’ The word was long and drawn out. ‘Today?’

  She nodded. ‘If they’re in, yes. I’ll have to ring first.’

  ‘And what does she know?’

  ‘Nothing at all. I’ll sort of play it by ear as to how much I can tell her, but I’d like her to know you. We’re unconditional friends. Always have been. Can we go?’

  ‘We can do anything. Are you going to get out of that bed, woman? If you laze around, we won’t be going anywhere.’

  She looked at her bedside clock. ‘It’s seven o’clock.’

  ‘I know, but today could be a good day. I don’t want to waste a minute of it. I actually thought the first people to know would be Lissy and Jon, because that would make life so much easier, but, heyho! What do I know?’

  ‘We’ll practice our confession on Charlie and Dan, and then perfect it on Lissy and Jon.’

  ‘And our kids?’

  ‘Not yet. It’s not time for that yet. That’s why I’m testing the waters. Charlie’s sensible; she’ll say all the right things.’

  He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Are you absolutely sure? Once you talk to Charlie, it may change your relationship.’

  ‘It won’t. She was so pleased when I walked away from Ray...’

  ‘Yes, but it doesn’t mean she’ll be pleased you walked straight towards me. She might even think you left Ray for me, that we were having an affair before you walked out.’

  ‘If she thinks that, then I’ll put her straight.’

  She swung her legs out of bed and then headed for the bathroom. Michael watched her go, a worried look on his face. He wasn’t convinced this was the right thing to do. He heard the shower start up and went into the kitchen to make breakfast.

  Michael knew he’d never been so happy; he hoped the trip to Doncaster would do nothing to spoil that.

  Charlie confirmed they were in, and she was looking forward to the visit. Anna had simply said, “there are two of us,” so he guessed Charlie’s mind was now in overdrive. They stopped off to pick up some flowers for her, and forty-five minutes later, they were walking up to the front door.

  Anna was bouncing at the idea of seeing her two closest fr
iends; Michael felt sick.

  Charlie and Dan came to the door together, both smiling. Anna introduced them to Michael, simply by acknowledging he was a friend.

  They sat around the kitchen table, getting to know each other, with Charlie throwing in the odd question in an effort to find out who the mystery man was.

  ‘So where did you two meet?’

  ‘In Lincoln,’ was Anna’s simple response. It wasn’t the right time to expand on that yet.

  Charlie refilled their coffee cups and sat back down. Dan and Michael seemed to be getting on really well, and Dan offered to show Michael his shed.

  Michael looked at Anna. ‘Do you mind?’

  Anna laughed. ‘Oh, you’ll be safe enough with Dan. Go and look, but I’m warning you, it’s the scariest shed you’ll ever see.’

  The two men disappeared, and Charlie sat down.

  ‘Okay, that was pre-arranged. Now spill. Who is he? Just don’t tell me he knows you’re a very wealthy widow.’

  ‘Of course he knows I’m a wealthy widow. He’s a considerably wealthier widower.’

  Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Well, that’s that out of the way. I like him. Do you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘We’re good together. But, the kids don’t know about him, just you. Even Lissy and Jon don’t know, and they live next door.’

  ‘Then, I’m honoured. I’m just a bit concerned it’s too soon, and after such an abusive relationship...’

  ‘I met Michael thirty-six years ago.’ Anna spoke quietly. ‘I haven’t seen him for the last thirty-five years or so, but I’ve never forgotten him. Do you like him?’

  ‘Anna, I don’t know him, but if you like him, that’s okay with me. He seems to be getting on very well with Dan. Thirty-six years ago? Were you and him...?’ She made a sort of half wave in the air, and Anna laughed.

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘And I assume you and him are...’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘What’s with this “maybe” lark? Have you found a new love, or not? And did you find this new love before Ray was bumped off, or after?’