Claire caught up with Jason, hoping she might be able to slow him down, get the two men to fall into step. ‘Didn’t Rain fancy a walk?’ she heard him ask Maggie, who was walking alongside. He threw a piece of driftwood and Russ lolloped along the sand to retrieve it. Amy chased after the dog, dragging the seaweed behind her. ‘Or Callum or Mum for that matter?’ he said, turning to Claire.
‘Mum had some errands to run. You’ll have to throw that stick a hundred times now, you realise,’ Claire said with a laugh, avoiding answering about Callum. She stared up at the expanse of blue sky, trying to put the earlier house viewing behind her. She’d cleaned up her cut and patched it with a plaster, hoping it didn’t look too unsightly. Finally unwinding, she planned on changing into her new dress before Nick arrived later.
‘Anyway, I think Rain’s more interested in getting to know that son of yours,’ Maggie said, linking arms with Claire.
Claire checked behind to see if Patrick was any closer to them. He wasn’t. He was stooping down to pick up a razor clam shell, showing it to Amy. ‘Don’t worry, Callum’s back at the house. I doubt they’ll get up to anything they shouldn’t.’
‘Apologies in advance if my daughter corrupts your son,’ Maggie said with a laugh. ‘Rain’s a good girl really.’
Claire squeezed Maggie’s arm. ‘Marcus is pretty inexperienced when it comes to girls. Having her around might do him some good.’
Jason waited for Greta, who was also struggling to keep up, but when he saw she was talking to his father, he veered off, picking out more driftwood from the tideline to throw for Russ. Claire knew he’d only agreed to come to Cornwall for her and their mother’s sake.
‘Does Rain see her dad often?’ Claire asked.
‘Rarely. He has his own family. They don’t know about her.’
‘That’s tough for Rain.’
Maggie hesitated, kicking at the sand. ‘The more I try to give her a stable life, the more I mess up. She needs a father figure but all I’ve managed is a string of disastrous relationships.’ Maggie let out a sigh. ‘Her biological father pays her school fees and she keeps pretty much everything she owns there. School’s her real home.’ She gripped Claire’s arm tighter. ‘I feel such a failure.’
‘Oh, Maggie, I’m sure you’re a great mum. Rain’s a lovely girl.’
‘She knows I was Peter’s bit on the side,’ Maggie whispered, pulling closer. ‘It’s all hush-hush because of who he is. It’s hard for a teenager to accept half of her existence has to be kept quiet.’
‘Oh, Maggie…’
‘It’s ironic. Pete was the only man I’ve ever truly loved. He was also the only man who wasn’t prepared to leave his wife for me.’
Claire knew Maggie had always been unlucky with men and wondered if it was because she’d lacked a stable father figure herself. Growing up, the village lads had taken advantage of her vulnerability, earning Maggie a bit of reputation when all she wanted was love. ‘That sounds hard. But at least you and Rain have each other.’
‘It’s harder now she’s older,’ Maggie replied. ‘I always believed that having Rain would somehow make Peter want me, but it actually pushed him away. Initially, he didn’t believe she was his daughter, so we did a paternity test. He’s scared I’ll tell his wife.’ She hesitated, taking a deep breath of sea air. ‘He’s a well-known politician, Claire, and has four kids of his own, one of them younger than Rain. It didn’t end well between us.’
‘In what way?’
‘While I’d never truly wanted to break up their happy family, I did want to get what Rain deserved. I had to secure a good future for her and it turned out Peter didn’t… well, let’s just say I had to persuade him.’
‘Persuade?’
‘I’m not blackmailing him, if that’s what you think. It was more a case of strongly suggesting he pay for Rain’s education. Office temping doesn’t quite cover the fees.’
A large wave came rolling up the beach, making them sidestep quickly as Claire mulled over what Maggie had just told her. She glanced back. Patrick and Greta were walking arm in arm. ‘Dad, your trousers are soaked!’ She slowed again so they could catch up.
Patrick waved and grinned. As he approached, he squinted along the beach, shielding his eyes from the sun, watching Jason and Russ way up ahead. She wished she knew what she could do or say to make things better between them.
Chapter Twenty-One
The Lighthouse had been just that when they were kids – fully functioning, with a doleful foghorn wailing through the night on dank winter nights. It rose out of the headland like a giant cigarette with its red painted tip, white trunk and tan-coloured base. These days there was an unmanned beacon on the rocks further out to sea and the old building had become a ruin over the years. Three years ago, though, it had been sold off and turned into a bistro and coffee shop, popular with the locals and tourists. With its views of the rugged coastline it was the perfect place to sit and while away a couple of hours.
‘This is a fabulous place,’ Greta said, breathless, when they were seated, as if every movement was an effort. They’d chosen a table outside. It was breezy but warm, and they all agreed that lunch with a view of the beach where they used to play as kids would be perfect. Claire hoped it might stimulate some memories for Patrick, though she couldn’t help noticing how Jason made sure he sat at the opposite end of the table to their father.
‘Lenni fell off a ledge and broke her arm down there,’ Jason said to Greta, pointing down to a slate shelf halfway along the cliff. Amy gasped, wriggling into the seat beside him.
‘God, I remember that,’ Claire said. ‘Mum went on the warpath because you said that kid pushed her.’ She broke apart a freshly baked bread roll. ‘She marched straight round to his parents’ house. Do you remember that, Dad?’ Claire hoped her father would pick up the conversation with Jason.
‘Anyone seen my glasses?’ was his reply as he patted his pockets.
Claire sighed, looking around for them.
‘You’ll never believe it, Amy,’ Jason continued, despite his father’s snub. ‘But I told a bit of a white lie. Your Aunty Lenni just slipped and fell. She was always pretending to be something or someone and it was a mountain goat that day. I didn’t want Mum to stop her coming down to the rocks with us. Lenni loved it at the beach.’
Amy gasped. ‘Mummy, Uncle Jason tells fibs!’ She giggled, picking an olive from the terracotta dish, nibbling the flesh to see if she liked it. She pulled a face.
‘Don’t worry, Amy. I don’t tell any lies now.’
Claire tensed, her eyes widening as she felt the burn of Jason’s stare on her cheeks. She focused on buttering her bread roll. ‘Mum’s invited us all for a meal at the farm tonight,’ she said. ‘I hope you’ll come too,’ she said to Jason quietly.
‘I thought Nick was cooking for us at your place?’
‘He will at some point.’ Claire felt her cheeks flush. ‘Shall I tell Mum you’ll be there?’ She paused. ‘Please, Jase?’
Jason put on his sunglasses, and before he could reply, Patrick excused himself, scraping his chair loudly as he stood up. He’d been chatting to a friend from the village at the next table, but suddenly headed for the toilets. Claire watched him walk away, taking hold of the backs of chairs for support as he went.
‘It would help Dad no end,’ she said, when he was out of earshot. ‘He’s gone downhill these last couple of months and—’
‘I haven’t noticed much of a difference.’
‘I’m with Claire on this one,’ Maggie said. ‘Life’s too short, Jase.’ Claire appreciated her support, but sensed Jason was bristling.
‘Especially when he’s about to be a granddad again,’ Greta added softly.
‘Stuff happened a long time ago, love,’ Jason replied. ‘Things like that don’t just melt away over a family dinner.’
‘They were only trying to help, Jase,’ Claire said, feeling responsible for the tension.
‘I needed Dad’s help ba
ck then and you know it,’ he said just to Claire, drawing down the first inch of his pint. He stared out to sea.
‘In that case, come tonight. Even if you don’t say a word to him all evening, just be there. Please?’ Claire glanced towards the toilets. ‘It will help more than you know.’
There was a moment of silence – just long enough for a huge wave to crash on the nearby rocks and a gull to swoop overhead, crying as it circled the lighthouse.
‘Help what, Claire?’ Jason said quietly, laying his hands flat on the table. ‘Your guilt?’ He turned to stare out to sea again.
* * *
It was nearly three o’clock when they ambled up the drive to Claire’s house – laughing, windswept, sandy and salty. Any earlier tension between Claire and Jason had dissolved over lunch and a couple of drinks. But Patrick and Jason still hadn’t spoken.
Conversation had skipped between describing life in eighties Cornwall to Greta and comparing it to her childhood in Amsterdam, as well as excited chatter about the twins and their imminent arrival. Amy had sat patiently with her little hands spread on Greta’s tummy waiting for the babies to kick, and the rest of the time sitting on her granddad’s knee listening to his made-up stories about pirates.
The chatter continued as they ambled up the drive, with Claire failing to notice the extra vehicle tucked behind Maggie’s camper. Shona came out to greet them before taking Patrick back down to the farmhouse for his medication.
‘Russ, no, get out!’ Claire shooed him away from the door before he did his usual trick of shaking and spraying the walls with whatever had stuck to his coat during their walk. She glanced at her watch as they went inside. She still just had time to change. ‘Right, who’s for a cup of—’
She froze in the kitchen doorway.
Callum was sitting at the old pine table with a mug clamped between his hands. But Claire’s eyes were drawn to the person sitting opposite him – someone she recognised, yet someone who looked so completely different to the last time she’d seen him. The smattering of stubble, his hair slightly longer, a distinct tan, the check shirt and jeans…
‘Nick…’ It was almost an accusation as she croaked out his name. Let down by her voice, Claire was also aware that the rest of her was a let-down too.
‘Claire, hi…’ In contrast, Nick’s voice resonated deeply. He stood, grinning, and came over, holding out his arms for a tentative hug. ‘It’s so good to see you. You look really well.’
‘You too,’ she said, glimpsing Callum over Nick’s shoulder as they embraced. She closed her eyes for a second, feeling as if she were in the eye of a storm – a safe and calm place. But then she pulled away, self-consciously fiddling with her hair, smoothing down her top. ‘We’ve just been to the old lighthouse. It’s a café now.’
But before Nick could reply, the kitchen was filled with noise and chatter as everyone came inside. Russ had found his way in and careered around the kitchen, his claws clicking on the flagstones as he greeted Nick.
‘Maggie, Jason, how fantastic to see you both.’ Nick hugged them, and Jason introduced Nick to Greta. Claire couldn’t help noticing how he stared at her pregnant body a moment too long.
‘It’s twins, if you’re wondering why I’m so massive,’ she joked, shaking hands.
Claire busied herself by filling the kettle and setting out a load of mugs. ‘Where’s Marcus?’ she asked Callum. He’d not said a word since they got back.
‘Out with Rain visiting his mates in the village. They’re plotting something for tonight. A house party in Newquay, I think.’
Claire rolled her eyes. She wanted everyone at her parents’ place later and wasn’t keen on ferrying teenagers to and from town at all hours.
‘Isn’t he a bit early?’ Callum whispered, eyeing Nick. He slipped his arm around Claire’s waist. ‘It would have been rude to leave him here alone, but you know I had important things to do today.’
‘I thought he was arriving later,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m sorry. What was so urgent anyway?’
But she never got a reply because Callum pulled away, easing between the group of friends who were all chatting and laughing. She watched as he left by the back door, staring out of the kitchen window as he crunched across the gravel, got into his car and sped off up the drive.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rain thought Marcus’s friends were as lame as he was, but a night out was a night out. And besides, she’d promised Katie and the girls that by the end of the week she’d have some gossip to report.
‘What was up with your mate Alex just now?’ Rain asked Marcus, as they walked away from the village back to the Old Stables. ‘He was acting really stupid. And what’s that disgusting smell?’
‘Alex is OK. He was just being awkward,’ Marcus said, laughing. ‘He’s not had much experience around girls.’
Rain choked on her Coke, nearly spitting it down her top. He’d been a complete idiot. But she also kind of understood, though would never say. ‘I don’t suppose he’s had much chance living here.’ She gestured around, spreading her arms wide. ‘I mean, look at it.’
To their right, the fields dipped down towards the coast. Further along they could see the white blocks of a caravan park where Rain imagined old people with little dogs went for their holidays. ‘There’s fuck all here.’
‘You’re very opinionated, aren’t you?’
Rain stopped. ‘What?’ She forced an indignant laugh, even though his comment cut deep.
‘All you’ve done is criticise where I live and moan about my mates.’
‘I can’t believe I agreed to come on this stupid holiday.’
‘My mum went to a lot of trouble to make this week nice for everyone. Show a bit of respect.’ Marcus pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. ‘Want one?’
Rain’s eyes lit up. It was the first decent thing he’d done. She decided to take it as a kind of peace offering. She was stuck with him for a few days, after all. ‘Does Mummy know you smoke?’ She couldn’t help it. Boys like him needed teaching a lesson. ‘No weed?’
Marcus stared at her, narrowing his eyes. ‘I could get some,’ he said, swallowing hard and lighting their cigarettes.
‘So, what’s all this shit with the oldies getting together about anyway?’ Rain asked, as they started off again. She felt comforted by the first draw of smoke. The lane wound between the fields as if it was never going to end.
‘Granddad’s not well. He’s got Alzheimer’s.’ Marcus drew on the cigarette, trying to stifle a cough. ‘Mum wanted to get everyone together, to make it feel like the old days. Apparently, it might help him remember stuff.’
‘Don’t see how it would.’
‘Granddad was like a second father to her friends when they were kids. She thinks it’ll help.’ He flicked his ash. ‘Didn’t your dad want to come with you?’
Rain tensed. He might as well have hit her, and her instinct was to hit him back. She clenched her teeth, blinked the tears from her eyes. ‘It’s the smoke,’ she said, running her finger beneath her lashes. ‘I don’t see my dad much,’ she added, hoping it would shut him up.
‘Anyway, turns out Nan’s going to sell the farm and Mum’s all weirded out because they’ve been there, like, forever.’
Rain hoped the stupid place would burn down with everyone in it. She was so angry, her chest felt as though it had a strap around it. ‘Didn’t some kid get murdered there?’ Maggie had once mentioned something about it. ‘Surely that’s the real reason they’re all here, to find out which one of them did it?’
‘That kid,’ Marcus said, kicking the ground, ‘was Mum’s little sister. And she wasn’t murdered. She went missing.’
Rain gave a little smile, pleased she’d got to him. ‘Was it, like, a really big deal and stuff?’
‘Of course it was a big deal. It would be like Amy going missing.’
Rain had barely met his younger sister and wouldn’t particularly care if she did disappear, but it made her think.
‘That’s creepy. Did they find a body and a weapon, you know, like on CSI and stuff?’
‘It’s not some fucking TV show, for God’s sake. It was real life. My mum’s life. And no, they never found her body. No one knows what happened to her.’
‘But you didn’t know the dead kid, right?’
‘Of course not. It happened way before I was born. But Mum’s told me all about her. She was only thirteen but would be in her thirties now. And they don’t really know if she’s dead.’
Rain felt herself getting excited as she drew a last lungful of smoke, tossing her butt into the hedge. ‘That’s so cool,’ she said. ‘A real-life mystery.’
‘For fuck’s sake, Rain, just shut up, will you? And don’t mention it in front of my mum, right?’ Marcus muttered something under his breath, also chucking his cigarette butt into the hedge.
‘Do you think it was your mum’s fault, then?’ she said, pausing. ‘That’s what my mum said. Or worse, maybe your mum did it. Was she jealous of her kid sister?’
Marcus clenched his fists down the side of his legs. ‘Don’t be stupid. Mum was on the beach with her friends, looking after Lenni. She let her go off to buy an ice cream, but she never came back. Clear now?’
Rain cocked her head slightly. ‘So it really was your mum’s fault? She must feel terrible.’ Rain raised her eyebrows. ‘Or be a really good liar.’ For a second she wondered if she’d gone too far. ‘Going to get an ice cream aged thirteen isn’t exactly hardcore, is it? I roamed free around London when I was ten.’
Marcus was silent.
‘Grown-ups are pretty stupid though. They think that wallowing in self-pity for long enough makes everything better. They never consider actually getting stuff right in the first place.’
‘Lenni wasn’t like normal kids, apparently,’ Marcus went on, not sounding quite so angry.
The Reunion: An utterly gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist Page 9