“Whoa!” Jake stepped backwards and raised his elbow to ward me off.
“Maggie!” Rachel said, stepping in between us. “Calm down.”
“Rachel, don’t you see what he’s trying to do?”
Jake held his hands up and shrugged at Rachel, as though to say, ‘What the hell have I done?’
“Please, take a seat, Detective.” Rachel indicated the chair opposite and then pulled me down beside her on the sofa.
I snatched my arm from her grip and turned to glare at Jake. “This is pointless. You may as well just go, Jake. We have nothing to report – it was a false alarm.”
Jake curled his top lip. “So, there’s no dead dog?”
“Just go!”
“Maggie!” Rachel hissed. “Yes. There’s a dead dog. He’s in a box under the stairs.”
“And who do you suspect has done it? Let me guess. Me, by any chance?” Jake said.
Confused, Rachel turned to me and back to Jake. “Of course we don’t think it was you.”
“You may not, sweetheart, but your little mate does – don’t you, Mags?”
I wanted to tear his laughing eyes out of his smirking fucking face. If he didn’t go soon, there was no telling what I’d do to him. “Just go, Jake. I don’t want to speak to you.” I turned to Rachel. “This is why I didn’t want you to call the police. I knew he’d come. What better way to get away with murder than to investigate it yourself.”
Rachel gasped, blinking uncontrollably.
Jake laughed. “Oh, this is classic. Hasn’t Maggie told you what she thinks?”
Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Tell her,” he said to me. “Nope? Okay, I’ll tell her myself. It seems your crazy little friend thinks I’m responsible for the deaths of four people and assault of Claudia, and now, I suspect, the death of the yappy mutt.”
Rachel turned to look at me, clearly waiting for me to deny it, but I raised one eyebrow instead and continued to stare at him defiantly.
“Hang on. You mean, you really think he’s responsible?”
“It’s no more unbelievable than me being responsible.”
Jake blew a raspberry. “Oh, I think it is, young lady. I’m a respectable member of the community, unlike you. Daddy Killer.”
Rachel cried out and jumped to her feet. “I think you should go, Detective.”
Jake’s face creased in a smirk, making my blood boil.
“You heard her,” I spat. “Get out, and don’t come back.”
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “What about the dog? Don’t you want me to take some notes?”
“I want you to get out of this house right now. I mean it. Go!”
He shrugged and then left.
When I heard the door close behind him, I began to shake.
“Oh, Maggie. Come here.” Rachel pulled me into her arms. “Oh my god, you’re terrified.”
“Do you see why I didn’t want to call the police? I knew he’d come. He has it in for me, Rach.”
Her expression altered for a second.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Just tell me. What are you thinking?”
She sighed. “I see he’s a dick, but do you really think he’s responsible for everything else?”
“I dunno. I can’t think of anyone else who’d want to harm people connected to me. Can you?”
“Not really. But I don’t think it could be him, either. Couldn’t it just be a string of coincidences?”
“So, you think Sandy just tripped and fell on a knife? Picked himself up and fell again and again, and then dragged his mutilated body onto the step for maximum effect?”
“Don’t be stupid. Of course I don’t. But the other deaths could be coincidental.”
“So you keep saying.” I stormed through to the kitchen where I bolted the back door and filled the kettle.
“I’m so sorry,” Rachel said, appearing behind me.
I took a deep breath and exhaled noisily. “I know how crazy it sounds, which is why I didn’t tell you earlier. I just hope Claudia can recall what happened when she wakes up.”
The sound of banging through the wall startled me.
“Is somebody living there now?”
“I s’pose so. Matt organised an agency to rent it out. The last I heard was that a couple wanted it, but couldn’t move in right away. They paid six months in advance to hold it.”
“Why would anybody do that? You’d just wait until you were ready to move, wouldn’t you?”
“That’s what I thought, but Matt didn’t think it was strange. Apparently, it’s difficult to find a house to rent in the village.”
“Interesting. I’ll tell my mum. She’s been wondering what to do with Nan’s bungalow. She doesn’t want to sell it in the hope Nan gets better.”
“What are the chances of that?” I asked.
“Zero. But there’s no convincing Mum of that. Maybe if she rents it out first, it may give her enough distance to finally let it go.”
“It couldn’t hurt. Matt used the agency on Stockport Road. I wonder who’s living next door. It seems weird to have strangers living there.”
“Did you manage to clear it all out?”
“It’s being rented furnished. I got out my stuff and also the things of my mum’s I wanted to keep. Matt arranged for the rest to be removed.” I sighed.
“You miss him, don’t you?”
I nodded. “I didn’t know him that well, I guess. But he was really good to me. Which reminds me, I’d better call Agnes and Fred tomorrow – she was devastated when I told her he’d been killed.”
Rachel rubbed my arm and smiled sadly.
Feeling my bottom lip quiver again, I braced myself and nodded at the kettle. “Fancy a hot drink?”
“I’d rather have a vodka.”
I burst out laughing. “Good luck with that. Claudia’s teetotal.”
Rachel rolled her eyes dramatically. “Do you have any drinking chocolate, then?”
I opened the cupboard above the kettle and forced my emotions away. “Horlicks? Will that do?”
“Perfect. Do you fancy a slice of cheesecake to go with it?”
My stomach lurched, but I couldn’t ruin it for her. “Yeah, why not?”
We took our cups and plates through to the lounge and slumped on the sofa. I tried to act normal, but all I really wanted to do was cry. I didn’t want Rachel to see that side of me – I kept thinking about her walking away when I needed her the most.
28
“You awake, Maggie?” Rachel said, standing over my bed.
I groaned. “What time is it?”
“Just after nine. I’ve brought you a cuppa.”
I forced myself to a sitting position and took the mug. “Thanks.”
“Did you get much sleep? I heard you up in the night.”
“I haven’t a clue, but it feels as though I’ve only just closed my eyes – I’m shattered.”
“I didn’t know if you planned to go to the hospital, but I called my mum and got the details of the pet crematorium. They’ll send somebody over this afternoon to pick Sandy up.”
“Oh, thanks, Rach. I hadn’t planned on going to the hospital. I’ll just call them and see if there is any change. Do you have plans?”
She shook her head. “I thought I’d just hang around here again today. We could watch a movie this afternoon, if you like?”
“Are you sure? Please don’t feel as though you’ve got to stay.”
She shook her head. “I don’t. I told my parents I’d be here for the weekend. If that’s all right with you?”
“Of course, it is. I’ll just drink this and have a quick shower, in case they arrive early.”
While I was in the bathroom, I could hear a female voice singing in the bathroom next door. My stomach flipped. I didn’t think it would bother me to have strangers living in my ex-family home, but I hadn’t planned to be living right next door
when I initially made the decision to rent it out.
I tidied myself up and met Rachel in the kitchen.
“There isn’t much in the fridge that’s edible,” she said, closing the fridge door.
“I haven’t really been eating at home. We could go and grab some goodies when Sandy has been collected, if you like?”
“Sounds fab. I might just have a slice of cheesecake while we wait. I’m starving.”
I laughed. “Cheesecake? For breakfast?”
“Yeah! What’s wrong with that?”
I shook my head. “Nothing at all. Go for it.” I could have barfed in the sink at the thought of eating cheesecake. It had been hard enough to stomach the night before. “I’ll make another cuppa, I think, and maybe a slice of toast.”
“You have toast, I’ll have yummy cheesecake. Deal?”
“Deal.”
The doorbell rang.
“Shall I get it?” Rachel asked, heading to the door.
I braced myself and nodded.
As I buttered a slice of toast, Rachel came back in. I turned and noticed a dark-haired man hovering uncomfortably in the hallway.
“He’s here for Sandy, Maggie.”
I put the knife down and wiped my hands on a tea towel. “Hi. He’s in here.” I shuddered as I opened the cupboard door and pointed at the box.
“I need to get some details first,” the man said.
“Oh, of course. Come on through.” I led him into the lounge.
When we’d filled out the forms, he picked up the box containing Sandy and with a heavy heart, I watched him load the little fella into his van.
Back inside, Rachel held her arms open and drew me into them. “You okay?” she whispered.
I nodded, swallowing back a huge lump in my throat. Knowing if I began to sob, she would run for the hills. I felt guilty for thinking this way, but it was what she’d done to me when I needed her once before and I naturally had my guard up.
“So, what do you wanna do for the rest of the day?” she asked.
“I need to call the hospital and probably Agnes, too, and then, I’m free to do anything you like.”
“I know you’re not in the mood to go traipsing around the Arndale Centre, so how about we go to the supermarket and grab some more goodies and come back here? We could have a pamper day.”
“That sounds great. Are you sure you don’t mind staying in? I know you love mooching around the shops on a Saturday, but I feel like a real wet blanket at the moment.”
“Only for something to do. But I’m more than happy to hang out here.”
I sighed. “Oh, good.”
“You’ve had so much to handle lately. Plus, I’m desperately in need of a facial.”
“You’re not kidding!” I shoved her arm playfully.
“I’ll go and tidy the bedroom while you make those calls, if you like?”
“Cheers. Five minutes and I’m all yours.”
The ward sister told me there was nothing to report on Claudia, but promised me she’d call if anything changed. I hung up and dialled the Bowdons’ number. Caroline answered.
“Hi, matey. How’s it going?”
“Maggie, hi! I’ve been thinking about you for days. Fred told me about Matt. Are you okay?”
“Oh, you know – coping, I guess. I don’t know when I’m gonna make it back.”
“We’ll be over there on Thursday – did Agnes tell you?”
“No. What for?”
“The funeral. I think we’re staying in a hotel.”
“There’s no need. We have plenty of room here.”
“What about Claudia?”
“It’s unlikely she’ll be home, there’s still no change. But even if she is, Agnes and Fred can have my room and we can doss down on the sofa.”
“Okay. I’ll tell them when they come home. They’re in town at the moment. I can’t wait to visit you, I’ve missed your ugly mug.”
“Charming. I’ve missed your ugly mug more.”
We laughed, and she filled me in on everything that had been happening in school, before hanging up.
“I’m ready when you are, Rach!” I called up the stairs.
Rachel came trudging downstairs. “Oh, I meant to tell you, I saw the mystery neighbour earlier.”
“Did you? Who is it?”
“Some woman. She seemed friendly enough. She said hi.”
“Oh, good. I should call in later and introduce myself, I guess.”
I watched as she laughed and squealed with that girl as though she didn’t have a care in the world. I’d soon put a stop to that.
The bitch had ruined my plans – taken what was rightfully mine, and I intended to make her pay.
Rachel and I spent the rest of the day pampering ourselves. Using what we found in the bathroom cupboard, we gave each other a facial, followed by a manicure and a pedicure. Rachel painted her nails fluorescent purple and mine ruby red.
It felt good to do something mindless and girly for a change, although the ache of sadness was never far away. By the time we hurried arm in arm to the chip shop, Rachel and I were back to how we used to be.
The phone was ringing as we arrived home so I hurried inside, certain it would be the hospital with news of Claudia. The sound of Agnes’ soft voice brought tears to my eyes.
“Hi, Maggie. Caroline said you’d called earlier.”
“Yeah. I just wanted to see how you were.”
“I’m fine. Sorry to go all loopy on you the other day, but the news of Matt floored me.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that.”
“There was no other way to do it.”
“Caroline mentioned you were coming to the funeral. Did she tell you I said you can stay here?”
“She did, but I’d rather not, if that’s all right. Fred gets tetchy staying at someone else’s house. We’ll be better in a hotel.”
“Are you sure? Caroline is welcome to stay here with me. In fact, I’d love it.”
“I’m sure she’d love that too. The funeral is at eleven on Thursday morning, so we’ll arrive in Manchester on Wednesday. I’ll get Caroline to text you with a time.”
“Aw, I’m excited. And I’m so looking forward to seeing you all, though I wish it could be for a different reason.”
“I know, love, me too. Now, tell me, how’s Claudia?”
“Still no change. I’m beginning to think she’ll never come around.”
“She will. The human body is miraculous. All the time she’s lying there, she will be healing.”
“I know you’re right. Anyway, I’ll let you go. See you Wednesday, Agnes.”
“Can’t wait.”
I found Rachel in the kitchen plating up the fish and chips.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said, already stuffing chips in her mouth. “I’m starving.”
“Of course I don’t mind – dive in. It was just Agnes, returning my call.”
“What’s she like?”
“Ah, she’s lovely. Although I wasn’t with them long, I really feel as though we’re close. Caroline too. It was as though I finally had a sister.”
She handed me a plate. “Aren’t we like sisters?”
“Yum, thanks. Yeah, but it’s different to live with someone. Caroline was a pain in the backside – we would get on each other’s nerves and bicker, but it was good to spend time with her.”
We took our plates and the ketchup bottle through to the lounge, and both sat on the sofa.
“I couldn’t imagine having to go and live with another family. You’re so brave.”
“Hardly brave – more a case of having to, than wanting to.” I tucked into my fish ravenously.
“Yeah. But you are brave. I could never have done what you did.”
I stopped eating and wiped my mouth. “I think you would’ve, if pushed.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I felt my chest tighten as my mind drifted back to that night. “I’d rat
her not.”
“Was it really that bad?”
“What do you think? I killed the evil bastard, didn’t I?” I shoved my plate onto the coffee table, no longer hungry.
“Aw, I’m sorry, Maggie. I wasn’t trying to upset you. It’s such a massive thing to have to deal with alone, and I just want you to know I’m here for you, if you want to talk about it.”
I nodded. “I know that, and I do appreciate it, but it’s all just too raw at the moment.”
After dinner, we settled down on the sofa to watch some Saturday night TV. Doreen popped in during the evening to say none of the neighbours had seen anybody hanging about the night before. This came as no real surprise.
29
Rachel’s dad tooted his car horn on Sunday afternoon.
“Come home with me,” Rachel said. “Mum will have made a yummy roast, and Dad can always drop you back again later.”
I’d never really gotten along with her parents. They made me feel like scum, the way they looked me up and down. They were never nasty to my face, but Rachel had let it slip that they would prefer her to be friends with Samey Amy, a snooty kid who lived just up the road from Rachel, whose parents were obviously loaded.
“No, it’s fine. Thanks anyway, but I need to visit Claudia, and you’ll need to get ready for school.”
“Do you want me to come back later? I could go to school from here.”
I laughed, as I picked up one of her bags. “I can imagine your mum’s reaction if you told her that.”
“I’m seventeen, not seven,” she snapped.
“All right, keep your hair on!”
“Sorry.” She giggled, crossing her legs as though she wanted to pee. “But so long as I go to school, what difference will it make? I just don’t want to leave you alone after everything that’s been happening.”
“I’ll be fine, honestly. I’ll be at the hospital most of the day, and I’ll probably have an early night – I hardly slept with you hogging the duvet the past two nights.” I opened the door and stepped out onto the street.
“Cheeky bitch!” she hissed, swatting at my arm.
Stifling a grin, I wiggled my eyebrows, desperate to make her believe I wasn’t actually petrified of spending the night alone without even Sandy for company.
Maggie: a gripping psychological thriller Page 12