34 Days: A gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist

by Anita Waller

  She would not cry. She would not allow Ray, in any form, to destroy any more of her. She dabbed at her eyes, but the tears didn’t stop.

  And that was how she was when Mark and the children returned home, smelling of chlorine and excited by the morning they had had.

  Mark frowned. ‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’

  ‘Nothing, I’m absolutely fine. Just a moment, that’s all. I’ll make us a cup of tea.’

  Mark sent the children to put their wet swimming clothes and towels in the utility room and put his arms around his wife. ‘Would a hug help?’

  ‘Oh, it would, it would,’ she said, and laid her head against him.

  ‘What’s caused the tears? Thinking about Dad?’ Mark still felt very raw about the brutality of Ray’s death.

  Jenny nodded. Better he thought that than continue to question her. He hugged her a little tighter and then led her to the kitchen table.

  ‘I’ll make us a drink. Is everything ready for Mum coming tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes, all done. And it looks lovely.’

  ‘What time is she coming?’

  ‘She said about 10ish.’

  ‘Then I’ll wait and see her before going into work. I just need to see she’s doing okay. It would be good to have closure on this bloody case for all our sakes, but it’s just not happening, is it?’

  ‘We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes,’ she said. ‘Really, Gainsborough tells us nothing, other than the bare minimum. He could have a suspect in mind right now, but we wouldn’t find out until he’d arrested him.’

  ‘You’re right. Fingers crossed he gets him soon.’

  He reached across and squeezed her fingers. ‘Feeling better?’

  She nodded. ‘Yes. It was just a blip. Don’t worry about me.’

  They sat without speaking for a while, and then she stood to go and sort out the wet swimming clothes. As she went through the door to the utility room, Jenny turned to Mark. ‘Have you ever considered Anna might meet someone else?’

  ‘What? Mum? No, I hadn’t. It’s too early, surely.’

  ‘You’re right,’ she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘I meant in the future.’

  ‘Well, I can’t see it, not really. She didn’t have a particularly good life with Dad, he was a proper control freak; surely she wouldn’t want to be tied down again. In fact, I think she would be quite scared of having another relationship. He might have been Dad, but I could see his faults.’

  Not all of his faults...

  ‘She might not see it as being tied down. She might fall in love.’

  ‘Maybe. Don’t know how I would feel though.’

  She looked at him for a few seconds, and then turned and went in to sort the laundry.

  Why was it only she had seen the obvious connection between the man and Anna at that damned football match?

  ******

  Tim and Steve waited at the airport for the flight to Heathrow. They had opted to combine the trip back to the UK with business, and were spending the first four days in London before heading up to Sheffield. There they would stay until the New Year, spending Christmas with Anna and the rest of the family.

  They wanted to use the element of surprise, and so decided to leave telling Anna until Wednesday morning, the day of their arrival in the northern city.

  They filled the long flight with work. A meeting scheduled for two days ahead meant careful planning and reports to be finalised, and the flight hours passed quickly. They occasionally chatted about their proposed stay in Sheffield, in turn feeling anxious and apprehensive; they hoped Anna wouldn’t see through their plan. They just needed to know she was safe. In the end, they had both agreed there was a connection between Anna and the man at the football match, and it needed to be monitored, dealt with.

  *****

  Michael took it upon himself to make breakfast for the four of them, and the atmosphere was easy going, friendly and warm

  Anna felt a sense of relief she had now told Charlie and Dan about her marriage; at least she had somebody she could be open and honest with. Except for the fact she was an accessory to murder.

  Once again, the image of her tiny safe holding the letters flashed into her mind. She was dreading going across to Lindum Lodge the following day, because she knew Jenny would be expecting her to bring the letters with her. That definitely wasn’t going to happen. Not in a million years.

  Jenny might feel more secure for having the letters in her possession, but Anna felt safer for having them with her.

  The four of them went to a pub for lunch, and then Charlie and Dan headed back home to Doncaster. All four agreed it had been a good weekend, and they made tentative arrangements to spend New Year’s Eve at the Armitage home in Doncaster.

  ‘Coffee?’ Michael asked, after hanging both their coats in the cloakroom.

  Anna nodded. ‘Yes, please. Then can we talk, because I don’t know what to do.’

  ‘Of course.’ He looked at her carefully. He had been aware of her disturbed sleep during the night and could guess what was on her mind.

  Anna wandered into the lounge and curled up on the sofa. She smiled at him as he pulled a small table towards her and placed her mug on it.

  He chose not to sit next to her and faced her by sitting in the armchair.

  ‘What’s on your mind?’

  ‘I want to come clean.’

  ‘About us?’

  She felt uncomfortable for a second. ‘Yes. About us.’

  ‘Are you sure? Once said it can never be taken back. It’s only a couple of weeks since you said we had to wait two years before telling anybody.’

  ‘I know, but seeing the way Dan and Charlie have taken it... it gives me hope maybe our children will be the same. How do you think Erin will react?’

  ‘My beautiful, laid back daughter? She’ll ask me if I’m happy, and when I say ecstatic, that will be enough for her. She has never been the problem. It’s Mark, Tim, and Caroline who worry me. For a start, do we tell the boys I’m their real father? If we’re going to confess to our marriage, they will want to know when and where we met. We can’t start out with a lie, so we have to tell them around thirty-six years ago. Then, they’ll look more closely at me, and they’re all going to see what’s obvious. Does Charlie know?’

  Anna nodded. ‘Yes, she saw the photo of you and Pat, with Erin, who was about three. That one there.’ She pointed to the display stand. ‘She knew as soon as she saw that.’

  ‘So, it’s really not just about telling them we’re married, and that it’s a secret, and we’re very sorry we didn’t invite them to the ceremony, is it? There’s so much more we have to consider. I will say this, we can talk forever and a day, but ultimately, the decision about what we do is yours. Erin will be pleased she no longer has to worry about me; you stand to lose everything, except me, if they don’t react how you want them to react.’

  She looked at him. ‘I couldn’t bear it, if I lost you.’

  He laughed. ‘Not an earthly chance of that. I’ve waited all my life for you. But, you’ve so much to think about. Do we come clean about my being their father, or do we wait until somebody sees the resemblance? I don’t think we really have a choice. For what it’s worth, I think we have to make it clear from the start. This has to have an effect on your relationship with all three of them, because even Caro will have an opinion on it – you’ve said in the past she was very much for her father.’

  ‘To be brutally honest, Michael, I have absolutely no idea how any of them will respond. But, you’re right. We have to tell them everything, because it’s been a hard three months since our wedding. It feels like we’re hiding, and I don’t want that. The only decision now is, do we wait until after Christmas or risk spoiling Christmas for everybody? If we wait, it means we don’t get to spend our first Christmas together, and if we don’t wait, we run the risk of totally spending it together without anyone else.’

  Michael moved across to the sofa to sit wit
h her. Placing an arm around her, he pulled her close. ‘Shall I just leave you to think about it? Whatever you decide, I’m with you.’

  He was leaning across to kiss her when they heard the front door open. Anna looked at him questioningly.

  He began to stand as Erin walked through the lounge door. She crossed to her father and kissed him.

  ‘Hi, Dad. I’m back.’

  ‘Hello, beautiful daughter.’ He smiled. ‘You’re not due back till next Friday.’

  ‘Change of plan. I’m going to Holland next Friday now.’ She turned and approached Anna, holding out her hand.

  ‘Hi, I’m Erin.’

  Anna laughed. ‘I know. The last time I saw you was 1979, just coming up to your third birthday.’

  ‘Really?’ Erin turned to her father, and he smiled.

  ‘Really. Anna used to clean for us when your mum was first starting to be ill. She left when Mum was officially diagnosed, and we had carers and a team of specialist cleaners brought in. I don’t imagine for one minute you can remember that far back.’

  ‘Sorry, Anna. Did he say Anna?’

  She stood. ‘Yes, I’m Anna, and it’s lovely to finally meet you. Your dad is immensely proud of you, and I guess I know a lot more about you than you know about me.’

  She grinned. ‘So you two an item, then?’

  ‘You would be okay with that, would you?’

  ‘Anna, if Dad is happy, I’m okay with that.’

  ‘Then, yes, we are an item, as you so delicately put it.’ Anna laughed.

  ‘Sit down, you two. I’ll get us a drink. You staying the night, Erin?’

  ‘If that’s okay.’

  ‘It’s fine. Alcoholic drink it is.’

  He disappeared into the kitchen and returned with three champagne flutes and a bottle of champagne.

  Erin’s eyes widened. ‘Well! This can’t be because the prodigal daughter’s returned home. What’s going on?’

  ‘It’s because I didn’t introduce you properly to Anna. Erin, I’d like you to meet Anna Groves, who was Anna Carbrook until September 18th.’

  There was a moment of silence, and then Erin turned to Anna. She raised her glass and said, ‘Congratulations, Step-mum and Dad. Are you happy?’

  ‘Very.’ They spoke in unison.

  ‘Then, that’s good enough for me.’

  Erin fired questions at them, and they laughed their way through the answers, relieved to have got one part of the problem out of the way, but knowing decisions had now been taken out of their hands.

  Erin was asked to keep quiet about it for a week, giving them chance to tell all the Carbrook family.

  It was only as Michael said the words, ‘Carbrook family,’ that a look of puzzlement crossed Erin’s face.

  ‘Why do I know that name?’

  Anna visibly flinched. ‘My husband died in March. I had already left him, so our marriage was non-existent, but he was still legally my husband. He was murdered. I was at a very low point, and I contacted your dad for the first time in thirty-six years. I don’t know why. I just needed to talk to someone who wasn’t involved with me. He never hesitated, and he’s been my rock ever since. We decided to marry, because we don’t know how much life we have left to us. We want to live it together.’

  ‘Ray Carbrook. That’s the name. I’m so sorry, Anna. I didn’t intend bringing it all back for you. Have they caught anyone yet? Wasn’t it a multiple murder case?’

  ‘Yes, three people all killed by the same person, but as far as I know, they haven’t got him yet.’

  ‘They will,’ Erin said with confidence. ‘They always do.’

  They chatted and drank champagne for a while, with Anna filling Erin in on their home in Sheffield they would normally have been in, and then Erin went out to her car to bring in her luggage. An hour later, she said goodnight; she needed sleep, and disappeared upstairs to her room.

  Michael and Anna decided she would make arrangements to go the following weekend to Lindum Lodge, accompanied by him. She wouldn’t break the news of a companion to Jenny and Mark until Friday, so it didn’t initiate questions when she was on her own. She knew Jenny would wear her down.

  They went to bed feeling scared and excited about finally being able to live openly at last; Anna slept much better than she had the previous night.

  Chapter 50

  Monday, 14 December 2015

  All three of them left together the next morning; Michael headed off back to Sheffield and Eric, Erin went home to her own place across the other side of the city, and Anna headed for Lindum Lodge.

  She pulled on to the parking area and noticed the company van was there. She was pleased because it probably meant Mark had waited to see her.

  And he had. ‘Morning, Mum,’ he said, and bent to kiss her cheek. ‘You okay?’

  ‘I’m fine. Are the children expecting me to pick them up from school?’

  ‘Try getting out of it,’ he laughed. ‘Last words this morning were, “Tell Nan we’ll see her at the gates.”’

  ‘Good. I love getting them. It’s been a long time since I did school runs.’

  They enjoyed tea and biscuits, sitting comfortably together around the kitchen table before Mark had to leave for work.

  Following his departure, Anna went to her own flat and laughed aloud at the plaque the children had bought for her door.

  Jenny heard her laughter and smiled. ‘Do you like it?’ she called.

  ‘It’s wonderful. Did they choose it?’

  ‘Yes, They’ve bought you some other touristy bits as well, all chosen by them, so just pretend they’re awesome when you get them,’ she said, walking towards Anna.

  ‘I won’t have to pretend.’

  ‘Oh, you will. If I said articulated wooden alligators and stuffed Mickey and Minnie Mouses... mice... you might very easily have to pretend.’

  She took Anna’s small suitcase from her, bringing it into the flat.

  ‘I’ll leave you to unpack and then do you fancy a run into Newark for a change? We could have some lunch, a walk around the shops, and come back in time for you to do your duty by the children.’

  ‘That would be lovely. I’ll change my shoes, then, if I’m going walking.’

  Jenny left her to get ready and headed back to the kitchen.

  Anna was puzzled. She had half-expected Jenny to be waiting with hands outstretched for the letters, but she was being really chatty and welcoming. She found out her flat red shoes, picked up her bag, and within minutes, they were on their way to Newark.

  Anna had always liked the town, not least because of the good memories it held for her. These memories had now increased; she and Michael had spent many hours in ‘their’ cafe. She just hoped Jenny wasn’t taking her to the same place.

  She drove them to a pub, one she said they had found one evening when she didn’t fancy cooking.

  It was good. They both ordered a ploughman’s lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. They chatted as if there were no murders, animosity, or letters between them.

  They walked around Newark for a couple of hours, fitting in yet another coffee before returning to the car. And still, Jenny said nothing.

  It was almost with relief Anna eventually escaped from Lindum Lodge to collect Adam and Grace from their respective schools.

  Jenny made a huge meat and potato pie for their evening meal, and afterwards, they played a game of Uno. Mark never enjoyed losing, and the children shrieked with laughter when he was the first one to be disqualified.

  Anna went to her flat later, and still Jenny hadn’t brought up the subject of the letters. She went to bed around 10.00pm, after sending Michael several texts and telling him she would see him the following evening. He confirmed Eric was fine and looking forward to his mummy coming home.

  Chapter 51

  Tuesday, 15 December 2015

  Anna was up and about early on Tuesday, and took Adam and Grace to school. On her return, she went to the kitchen where Jenny handed her a cup of c
offee. They chatted and decided to go into Lincoln; Jenny had a couple of Christmas presents to collect and hide before the children came home from school.

  Anna went to her flat to change into her boots; it was cold outside. She was pulling them on when her door opened.

  ‘While you’re in here,’ Jenny said, ‘you can pass me my letters, if you don’t mind, Anna.’

  ‘I haven’t brought them.’

  ‘Pardon?’ Jenny’s tone was hard.

  ‘I said I haven’t brought them. They’re locked safely away in my safe. I think it’s the best place for them.’

  ‘I said I want them back.’

  ‘Well, Jenny, you can’t have them back. It’s as simple as that.’

  Anna could feel the tension in the air rising. She felt sick.

  ‘I need them.’ Jenny’s voice was cold as ice.

  ‘Why? I don’t trust you, Jenny. If you destroy them, there is nothing keeping anyone else in this family safe. I said I’m keeping them, and I mean it. After five years, I’ll hand them over, but they stay in that safe for now.’

  Jenny reached across and picked up the vase of flowers, then hurled it at her mother-in-law. Anna ducked but not fast enough.

  The vase hit her on the side of her head, and she cried out in pain. She twisted around and lunged towards Jenny.

  ‘You bitch,’ she screamed, and tried to pull on Jenny’s hair. She was hurting and could tell that blood was pulsing down her face. ‘Are you going to add me to the list now? Four murders? You still got the bags and plant ties, have you, Jenny? And the knife?’

  ‘Anna, you’re a liar and a fucking hindrance. Who’s the man at the football match? I know it’s Mark’s father, so tell me his name!’ Jenny was screaming in frustration. The row had escalated beyond all comprehension, and neither of them heard the front door opening.

  ‘Okay, so he is Mark’s father. But, what that’s got to do with you, I don’t know. You want to add him to the list as well?’