The Optician’s Wife: a compelling new psychological thriller

by Betsy Reavley

‘I burnt the lasagne.’ Dawn hung her head in shame. ‘Daisy wanted me to play with her in the garden and I just forgot it was in the oven. When he came home he discovered the smell of burning and just lost it. He made me put Daisy to bed and when I came downstairs he threw the dish of food at me. Look,’ she said pulling up her sleeve, ‘it burnt my arm.’ The skin was red and blotchy and looked sore. ‘Then he went mad and started to hit me. I tried to hide under the table to get away from him but he pulled it away and started to kick me in the ribs. I begged him to stop but he wouldn’t listen.’ Dawn’s bottom lip quivered. ‘I tried so hard not to make a noise or cry out. I didn’t want Daisy to hear me and get scared.’

  I reached across the table and took hold of my sister’s hand. I, too, was shaking but with anger rather than fear.

  ‘Then he pulled me up by my hair,’ Dawn touched the place on her head, ‘before putting his hands around my throat.’ Carefully she removed the scarf to reveal bruises around her neck. I squeezed her hand, shocked by the extent of the beating she had endured.

  ‘I must have passed out. That’s the last thing I remember before waking up this morning on the floor.’

  ‘He’s really done a number on you this time. Do you think you need a doctor? That eye looks pretty bad.’

  ‘No I think I’m OK. My ribs are the worst.’ She lifted her flimsy jumper to reveal huge bruises all down her right side.

  ‘Jesus,’ I muttered to myself shaking my head and wanting to cry.

  ‘As soon as he left this morning I just grabbed a bag, packed my things and came straight over here with Daisy. I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go.’

  ‘You did the right thing.’

  ‘But he’ll know I came here and come looking for me.’ The fear returned to her eyes. ‘I don’t want to bring trouble to your door.’

  ‘Look, I’ve dealt with worse men that Ian bloody McCarthy in my time,’ Dawn looked perplexed. She had no idea about my other life. ‘And besides, Larry won’t let anything happen. He’ll look after us. He’s out fishing now but I’ll call him on the mobile and tell him to get his bum home.’

  I stood and went to get the house phone from the kitchen wall.

  ‘Maybe I should leave. I could go to Spain with Daisy. I have a friend there. He’d never find us.’

  ‘Rubbish. You’re staying put. No gutless bully is going to frighten my little sister away.’ The fierce protectiveness I’d felt for Dawn when she was younger came flooding back. ‘We’ve got room. You’ll stay here until you get back on your feet.’

  ‘But can I ever really move on when I know he is just on the other side of town?’

  ‘Listen Dawn,’ I held the telephone receiver in one hand and looked her in the eye, ‘I promise you Ian will never hurt you again. Larry knows some people, let’s say, who aren’t very savoury. It only takes one phone call and well,’ I paused not wanting to say too much, ‘he needs to be taught a lesson.’

  ‘He won’t let me go.’ She sounded broken.

  ‘Yes he will,’ I held the phone up to my ear and started to dial Larry’s number, ‘or I’ll kill him.’

  Larry came home a couple of hours later, empty-handed as usual. He was not a very successful fisherman by all accounts.

  I hadn’t explained exactly what had happened on the phone so when he saw the physical state Dawn was in he was shocked.

  ‘Bloody animal.’ He stood in the kitchen in his old jeans and lumberjack shirt sipping a hot cup of coffee.

  ‘She’s going to stay with us for the moment.’ I explained to him as I made sandwiches for lunch. The kids were still upstairs playing.

  ‘Sure. We’ve got room for you and Daisy for as long as you need.’ Larry always put family first and I was glad that included my sister and her child.

  ‘I’ll go and make the spare room up after lunch.’

  ‘No, please, I can do it. I don’t want to be a burden.’

  ‘You’re not a burden Dawn,’ I turned to her, ‘but I want you to listen to me. I think you should go to A&E, get those ribs looked at.’

  ‘I don’t want to make a fuss.’

  ‘It’s not a fuss. You need to take care of yourself. For Daisy’s sake if not for your own.’

  ‘Nah,’ Larry put his coffee down and shook his head. ‘I think Dawn is right. If you go to the hospital they will start asking questions and they might get the police involved. You don’t want them sniffing around.’

  ‘The law might just frighten Ian into keeping away.’ I didn’t really welcome the involvement of the police but something needed to be done. ‘He needs to know he can’t get away with this.’

  ‘Let me deal with Ian. I know how to sort out his type.’

  ‘Larry’s right,’ Dawn pleaded, ‘let’s not involve the police. That will only make things a whole lot worse. And even if my ribs are broken they won’t be able to do anything about it. They need time to mend on their own.’

  ‘They could give you some strong painkillers a least.’ I argued.

  ‘No need.’ Larry cut in. ‘Ice and brandy will do the trick.’

  I frowned at him.

  ‘You’re not your average optician are you, Larry?’ Dawn looked at him fondly. ‘I’d love to have a bath. I didn’t have time for a wash this morning.’ She said turning towards me. Dawn was determined not to go to hospital.

  ‘Fine.’ I pushed a cheese sandwich over to her. ‘Eat this first.’

  It was a bit of a squeeze, all of us around the table but it felt homely. Having the cousins all together was nice. They got on well. Sue-Ann did me proud and helped look after the younger ones.

  When Dawn went upstairs for her bath I sent the children into the garden to play and saw an opportunity to speak to Larry alone.

  ‘Of course she’s going to stay for the moment. But I know Ian will come knocking on our door before too long. I just hope you are at home when he does. He’s a big man, just like that brother of his and I don’t fancy my chances fighting him off.’

  ‘He won’t lay a hand on either of you. I can promise you that.’

  ‘If you aren’t here, there’s nothing you can do to stop him.’

  ‘I’m going round there this afternoon.’ Larry sat back in his chair and folded his arms.

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I’m not going to do anything. I’m just going to have a gentle word.’ There was a small smile at the corner of his mouth. I knew that look.

  ‘Don’t go making trouble.’

  ‘I won’t.’ He picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the table and took a large bite.

  ‘We don’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention. We’ve got our kids to think of.’

  ‘I think it will be nice having Dawn around.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why not? She’s good with the kids. We can get her to babysit sometimes.’

  ‘I suppose.’ I shrugged. It hadn’t occurred to me until then that there would be an attractive woman living under our roof permanently. Suddenly I didn’t like the idea as much as I had. ‘She better not take liberties.’

  Larry looked at me thoughtfully.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing. I just don’t want her stuff all over the place. She needs to be respectful. You don’t know what she was like when she was a teenager. Dawn has always been selfish.’

  ‘If you say so.’ Larry sighed and got up. ‘Stay here with the kids. I’m going to pay Ian a little visit.’

  ‘Be careful.’ I got up and put my arms around his neck. He smelt like warm sunshine. ‘My big bear.’

  ‘It’s not me you need to worry about.’ Larry had a hard look and I backed away from him feeling uneasy.

  ‘Come back in one piece.’ I called out as he left the room.

  Sitting down again I felt my stomach knot.

  January 26th 1998

  ‘They’ve uncovered the body of a child.’ Helen sat stiffly on
the sofa clutching her mobile phone. ‘It was discovered buried in the cellar.’

  ‘How awful.’ I felt numb.

  ‘Larry isn’t saying a word. He’s refusing to comment.’ Helen’s dark bob was neat and shiny and I envied her for it.

  ‘I just can’t believe it. Larry wouldn’t hurt a child. He loves children.’ My voice was shaking.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ She couldn’t look me in the eye. I could feel the disgust coming from her.

  ‘This can’t be happening.’ I stood looking out of the window at the grey world outside.

  ‘They think they will have an ID for the female body at some point today. The DNA you gave will help rule things out.’

  ‘You all think it’s Dawn don’t you?’ I turned to her and forced her to look at me.

  ‘It seems likely but until it’s confirmed…’ her words melted away.

  ‘Then you probably all think the child is Daisy.’ I felt sick just saying her name. Helen didn’t say anything but I knew what she was thinking. I turned back to the window and watched the rain drizzled down the glass. ‘I know what everyone thinks. I’ve seen the news. People are calling it the house of death. But it’s not what they are saying. It’s our home. We’ve got happy memories in that place. It’s the only home my kids have ever known. We were happy there. But no one is ever going to believe that now, are they.’

  ‘Shall I make us some tea?’ Helen got up and moved towards the kitchenette.

  ‘I don’t want any bloody tea. I’m sick of tea. I just want everything to go back to normal. I want to be in my house with my kids. And I want to talk to my husband.’

  ‘I understand how difficult this must be for you.’ The kettle whistled in the background filling the silence between us.

  Owen was in the bedroom playing on his Gameboy. He was oblivious to the whirlwind of chaos that encircled us. For that I was grateful.

  ‘He wouldn’t have hurt Daisy. I just know it.’ A large tear rolled down my cheek as I remembered the last time I had seen the little girl. ‘She was a treasure. The spitting image of her mother when she was young.’

  ‘I’m sure.’ Helen stirred the teabag in her mug and looked solemn. ‘Would you like me to go to Blockbuster and rent you a film? Something to take your mind off what’s going on.’

  ‘I’d rather read, but I doubt I’d be able to concentrate.’

  ‘Oh, you like books? Me too.’ She was trying her best. I couldn’t deny that. ‘What do you like to read? I’m a sucker for a crime novel.’

  ‘Spoken like a true policewoman.’ I mused. ‘I don’t like all that morbid stuff. I’d rather get lost in fantasy or romance. I like reading about travel.’

  ‘I could go to a bookshop for you if you’d like.’

  ‘Thanks, but I think it’s pointless.’ I slumped down on to the sofa, put my legs up on the arm and rested my eyes. ‘If you really want to help you could go and get Owen a different game. If I have to listen to the bloody Tetris music for much longer I am going to kill someone.’ My eyes sprang open and I realised what I’d said but it was too late. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘It’s OK. It’s just a phrase.’ She had a kind smile.

  ‘But it’s not though, is it? Not under the circumstances.’ I sat up and put my head in my hands. ‘Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong? This isn’t fair. It’s like I’m under a microscope. I can’t bloody breathe in this place but I can’t go anywhere. It’s worse than being in prison.’

  ‘This won’t last forever.’ She came over and sat down next to me, clutching her mug in her hands for warmth.

  ‘How do you know? A week ago I had a life. Now there are bodies being dug up in my house. When will it ever stop?’

  Helen remained silent looking into her mug.

  ‘You won’t find any answers in there,’ I told her.

  ‘Mum, I’m hungry.’ Owen appeared in the doorway.

  ‘There are crisps in the cupboard.’ I pointed.

  ‘I’ve not had any breakfast.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. You can have crisps. I don’t feel like cooking.’

  ‘I could make him something,’ Helen sprung up out of her seat and moved towards the fridge. ‘You brought lots of food with you, didn’t you.’

  ‘No.’ I barked. ‘I don’t want you doing it. I’ll make him something. He’s my son.’ Helen held her hands up and retreated from the fridge as I stood in between her and it, blocking her way. ‘What do you want?’ I turned to Owen who was still in his Power Rangers pyjamas.

  ‘Waffles and beans?’ His little eyes lit up eagerly.

  ‘Good idea.’ I ruffled his hair. ‘I’ll have some too.’ I pulled a box of frozen potato waffles from the freezer and looked at Helen who had returned to the sofa. ‘You want some?’ I waved the box at her.

  ‘No thanks. I had a bowl of muesli for breakfast.’

  ‘Suit yourself.’ I shrugged. Stuck up bitch.

  Later that afternoon it was confirmed – the body in cellar belonged to Dawn.

  ‘I am so sorry, Deborah.’ Helen put her hand on my shoulder. I felt numb.

  ‘So what happens now?’

  ‘Larry is being interviewed as we speak.’ She spoke quietly so as not to disturb Owen, who was dozing on the sofa.

  ‘I can’t believe it.’ I shook my head. ‘Why? Why would he want to hurt her?’

  ‘Can you think back to the time when she disappeared. Is there anything that stands out? Something about his behaviour? Anything you remember, no matter how small, might help.’

  ‘I really thought she just left.’ My throat felt dry.

  ‘It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known.’ Helen was doing her best but nothing could stop me from feeling guilty.

  ‘Has he said anything?’

  ‘No. Larry is still not talking. Detective Small is interviewing him. It would be better for him if he confessed.’

  ‘You think he did it.’

  ‘Well, yes.’ She looked at me strangely.

  ‘But what about a motive? I thought you lot worried about things like that.’

  ‘Small is the best police officer I have ever worked with. I’m sure he will get to the bottom of it.’ Is that meant to make me feel better, I wondered. ‘He will want to talk to you Deborah.’

  ‘So on the same day it’s announced my sister is buried in my cellar I’m meant to skip along to the police station and help you convict my husband?’

  ‘They will have some questions.’

  ‘I’ve got questions! But nobody seems to give a damn about that.’ Owen stirred on the sofa and I remembered not to shout. ‘He’s going to be devastated.’ I said looking at my son. ‘All my kids are. They loved Dawn. I don’t want anyone else telling them but me. Do you understand? When they hear it it’s got to come from me. I don’t want a stranger telling them their aunt is dead. This is a family matter.’

  ‘It is also a police matter,’ Helen reminded me gently.

  ‘And don’t I know it.’ I glared at her. ‘Now that they know, when do you think we can go home? I’m sick of being cooped up here. I want to get back to some sort of normality.’

  ‘It won’t be for some time I’m afraid. There might be more,’ the words linger in the air.

  ‘More what?’

  ‘Remains,’ she said seriously.

  ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘I can’t say for certain, Deborah, but the crime scene officers will be conducting a thorough search of the whole property, given what has been discovered so far.’

  ‘Daisy.’ I said her name in a half-whisper. ‘When will we know for sure?’

  ‘The pathologist will be checking medical and dental records and of course there is the DNA sample you gave us that helped to identify Dawn.’

  ‘I’m losing everyone all in one go. First Larry was taken away from me, then my kids left and now I find out Dawn has gone to. What have I done to deserve this?’

  ‘
Nobody deserves to have their life taken away.’

  I stopped for a moment wondering if she was talking about me or the three dead bodies that have been unearthed. ‘No, of course not. I suppose on top of everything else I’ve now got a funeral to plan.’

  ‘We are a long way off that yet.’ Helen looked at me and I could tell that her sympathy was waning.

  ‘Look, no offense but I want to be on my own for a while. Can I leave Owen with you? I’m going to take a bath. This has been a real shock for me. I need time to digest.’

  ‘Of course.’ She nodded. ‘Take as long as you like. I’ll be here.’

  ‘Thank you.’ I said, thinking, that is exactly what the problem is.

  Once in the bathroom I locked the door. I knew no one would come in but I wanted to be sure of having the room to myself. I perched on the edge of the bath and it squeaked under my weight. Letting out a long sigh I felt my shoulders dropping. Helen’s intense scrutiny was beginning to drive me mad. Why did she have to be there all the time? I couldn’t breathe. The pressure of the small dark flat was bearing down on me and I couldn’t think. I opened the narrow frosted glass window to let cold air circle around the room. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted a bath. I just had to get away from her.

  I took my mobile phone out of my back trouser pocket and composed a text to Sue-Ann.

  ‘I want to see you and Robbie. Don’t talk to the police before you’ve spoken to me.’

  I pressed send and waited for a response. Ten minutes later I was still looking at my phone, willing it to vibrate. I accepted she was not going to answer. She always was the difficult one. Ungrateful.

  Still not wanting to return to the living room I closed the window and started to run a bath. I hadn’t got any shampoo or body wash with me. We left home in such a hurry that I hadn’t have time to think. I regretted the oversight as I watched the bath slow fill up. Some nice smelly bubble bath would have been just the ticket. On the side of the sink was a new bar of soap, the kind that old ladies use. That would have to do.

  Moments after sinking into the warm water there was a tap on the door.

  ‘What?’ I didn’t even try to hide my frustration.