by Mary Grand
‘It was to me. I tried to imagine what you’d have said if I’d told you. Maybe you’d have tried to understand, but I was so frightened that I’d lose your friendship. It’s not something you’d have ever done.’ Kathleen started to pick at an imaginary thread on her wrap. ‘I thought if I kept quiet, tried not to think about it, it would be like it never happened. That was stupid, wasn’t it? The truth doesn’t go away. It sits there patiently, waiting for someone to stumble across it. Unluckily for me, that’s what happened.’
‘I still can’t believe you did anything that bad.’
‘That’s because you don’t know me, not all of me. If I’d been a better person, I’d have owned up to what I’d done. I know that a sin is a sin and all that, but this so-called friend has done far worse things than me. I’ve just been so frightened of losing everyone’s respect, my friends, my family, my life here.’
‘Can’t you at least try to tell me what you’ve done?’
‘I don’t know what to do. The other day I actually told this person that I was tired of it all, the lies, covering up, but you know what they did?’
Beth shook her head.
‘They laughed at me. I saw in their eyes, utter contempt, loathing. They told me I was pathetic, useless; like one of the millions of grubby grey pebbles on the beach that people trample on. They said if I was to so much as whisper what they’d done they would pick me up and flick me into the sea. I would disappear. Nobody would know. Nobody would care.’
Beth saw tears shining in Kathleen’s eyes. ‘Who said this? Please, tell me.’
‘I want to, but I’m so scared. Anyway, I don’t want to drag you into this mess. This person, this wolf, may turn on you then. You know that thing about fear making the wolf bigger? Well, I tell you, Beth, I have found out my wolf is far greater than my fear; its teeth are sharper, it is cruel, wicked.’
Kathleen pulled her feet up on to the seat, cuddled her knees into her chest and enveloped herself in her wrap.
Beth put her arm around Kathleen’s shoulders. ‘You need to tell me everything. I’m so sorry you’ve had to battle this on your own. You can’t be manipulated like this. I understand how you are feeling more than you know. Whatever you’ve done, I’m always on your side. I will fight for you.’
Kathleen reached out slowly, placed her hand on top of Beth’s. ‘If you really mean that, then maybe I will. I can’t go on like this.’
Beth removed her arm from around Kathleen’s shoulder and placed it on top of her hand as if making a pact. ‘I promise, but you have to tell me everything.’
Patrick’s voice from the patio disturbed them, ‘What are you two cooking up?’
Kathleen snatched back her hand and stood up. Patrick, Sami, and the others started walking towards them.
‘You two have been down here for ages. What have you been talking about?’ asked Patrick again.
The others reached them quickly. Sami slipped his arm around Beth’s shoulders. He wasn’t much taller than her, he was losing his hair, he desperately needed to update his glasses, and she loved him very much. Moving closer to him, she felt like a sea bird sheltering in the nook of the cliff.
‘You all right?’ he asked. His accent was a warm mix of Iraqi and her own Swansea Welsh.
‘I think so.’
‘It’s beautiful down here in the mornings, isn’t it, Kathleen?’ said Patrick. He turned to the others. ‘She’s down here every day at about quarter to seven for her mindfulness if you want to join her.’
There was a muffled laugh, but no one spoke. As they walked back to the house Beth glanced at Kathleen. She was sure she saw a slight fixed smile as Kathleen walked stiffly next to Patrick, who had his arm firmly around her shoulders. Her friend seemed unable to move away.
Inside the house, Patrick grinned at Beth. ‘So, you approve of the new house? I can’t wait to get all my London friends here. They think the Isle of Wight is some sleepy backwater. Wait till they see this: make them think twice about their million pound one bedroom flats up there.’
Beth smiled warmly at him. Patrick probably cared too much about trying to look younger and trendier than he was, but she liked him, and he adored Kathleen. ‘They’ll be very jealous.’
‘I’m coming over to the Castleford house this evening.’ Patrick turned to Sami. ‘Could I cadge a lift back with you? My car is in the garage until tomorrow.’
‘I thought you’d sold the old house—’
‘Not quite, complete tomorrow. I want to give it one last clean. I’ve left an old mattress and a sleeping bag there.’
‘You’re welcome to a lift, but we were going to leave soon. The kids have school tomorrow.’
‘That’s fine. Things are wrapping up.’ He looked at Kathleen, a slight nervousness in his voice. ‘You’ll be all right here on your own?’
‘Of course. I must get used to it. You’ll be off again soon.’
‘Not so much now.’ Patrick turned again to Sami. ‘I’ve requested more work in the UK. I’ve done my stint of work abroad. No, me and Kathleen are going to make the most of our new home now.’
Beth didn’t want to leave without speaking to Kathleen again, or at least arranging to meet, but Kathleen had closed off. She didn’t seem to want to look at Beth.
It wasn’t until they were outside the front door that Beth finally caught Kathleen’s gaze. Kathleen put her hand on Beth’s and said, ‘You’ll keep your promise?’
Beth squeezed her hand. ‘Of course.’ She smiled, looking for one in return, but all she saw in Kathleen’s face was fear and dread. She resolved to speak to her soon and to find out what on earth was going on.
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About the Author
Mary Grand is the author of five novels and writes gripping, page-turning suspense, with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight.
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Visit Mary’s website: https://marygrand.net/
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About Boldwood Books
Boldwood Books is a fiction publishing company seeking out the best stories from around the world.
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First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Boldwood Books Ltd.
Copyright © Mary Grand, 2021
Cover Design: Head Design
Cover Photography: Shutterstock
The moral right of Mary Grand to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologise for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-80048-182-4
Large Print ISBN 978-1-80048-181-7
Hardback ISBN 978-1-80162-973-7
Ebook ISBN 978-1-80048-183-1
Kindle ISBN 978-1-80048-184-8
Audio CD ISBN 978-1-80048-176-3
MP3 CD ISBN 978-1-80048-177-0
Digital audio download ISBN 978-1-80048-178-7
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