I Dare You (ARC)

  and kids experiment. It’s just what you did was more, well . . .

  adult than most. Blame him – the abuse he inflicted on you.’

  Lizzie had turned from her sleeping husband and slowly slid

  open the bottom drawer of the dresser, retrieving the piece of

  cloth – the one she’d found in the doll’s head. She’d sat silently, turning the bloodstained strip of material over in her hands.

  She’d studied it. The material was from her dress – she recog-

  nised the now-faded yellow flowers from a photograph of Eliza

  wearing it. One of the few photos she’d seen of herself from

  childhood. Instinct had told her to take it when she’d been inside Anna’s shed.

  It must’ve been her father who’d placed a strip of her clothing inside the doll’s head. But why? Lizzie had been working on the

  understanding that Billy was trying to show he was innocent of

  Jonie Hayes’ abduction and murder. And maybe show who he

  thought was really responsible. But Lizzie couldn’t understand

  what relevance bloodstained clothing of hers had to any of it.

  For a split second, a horrifying thought had crossed her mind.

  Had she been there? Had she been present when Jonie Hayes had been killed?

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  She’d shaken her head, taken deep breaths. No, of course she hadn’t. She’d already been taken into care by that time. The red

  stain could be her own blood, or dye. Nothing to do with Jonie.

  Hearing Rob’s story and holding the piece of her clothing had

  unsettled her and her mind was jumping. She had to keep

  emotion out of it, think logically.

  Now, in the cold light of day, having only had small snatches

  of sleep, Lizzie opened her laptop. Dom had woken early and

  had showered and gone for a walk around the gardens of the

  B&B to ‘take in the country air’. She’d avoided getting into a conversation with him. Her mind was too full – she needed

  peace to get her head together. Lizzie started reading through

  the notes in the files she’d made on each person of interest.

  Somewhere in there could be a link to the missing piece of the

  puzzle. The photographs on the wall in Rob’s house were also

  on her mind. May Day. Tina Hayes watching as Jonie danced

  around the maypole. Billy Cawley standing beside her, shoulder-

  to-shoulder.

  If she could bear to see Rob again, it would be good to take

  a closer look at the photos, and to ask Nell if she had any

  more from that time. By searching the old photos she might

  gain the truth, find out what the villagers of Mapledon were

  hiding. Lizzie picked up her mobile to compose a text to Rob.

  A stream of pings sounded. She frowned. That was an awful

  lot of notifications since last checking it. The signal came

  and went, though, so it was likely a load of messages had

  suddenly filtered through all together. She scrolled through

  them to see if there was anything pressing to deal with. All

  seemed non-urgent – one from the editor who’d commis-

  sioned the Billy Cawley piece needed answering, but the others

  could wait.

  Then one caught her attention. Anna had texted her

  Wednesday afternoon. There really was a delay in getting the

  notifications if it had taken that long to come through.

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  Hi Lizzie,

  Just to keep you updated – we got the leg as expected. Note

  inside: SOMEONE KNOWS WHERE SHE IS. Have spoken to Pat

  Vern about it, but Mother still adamant we shouldn’t bother

  the police. I want to go and see Nell and Rob – thought it

  would make sense if we went together. Could you make

  tomorrow afternoon?

  Anna.

  Lizzie was surprisingly nonplussed about the leg and note

  – as Anna said in the text, it was expected. But she was discon-certed about her suggestion they go to see Nell and Rob together.

  After last night’s revelation, Lizzie would rather go back alone.

  She didn’t relish the thought of it all coming up in front of

  Anna. She took a few moments to consider it before texting

  back.

  Sorry, just received your text this morning. I can come over

  after 2pm if that’s OK?

  She’d have to put what had happened to the back of her mind

  – she was good at doing that. She’d had a lifetime’s practice,

  after all.

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  Chapter Seventy-Five

  1989

  Inside Billy’s truck

  Friday 2nd June – 47 days before

  He’d tried for the longest time, he really had. And still all he’d gained was grief, not acceptance. That bitch of a woman, Muriel

  Fisher, her husband – all the husbands in fact – horrible people

  the lot of them. What were they so afraid of? Just because his

  wife had died, it didn’t mean he was after theirs. God, who’d

  be interested in those fake women anyway?

  Billy’s eyes were staring forwards. He watched her intently

  from the safety of his truck, the engine idling. She was prettier than the others. Not just physically – she was prettier on the

  inside too. Or she was when she wasn’t with them. If he could get her on her own, be alone with her for a while, he might be

  able to release some of the pent-up anger. If the pressure was

  released from inside him, from inside his head, he’d be better

  able to cope with Rosie’s death – with the knowledge he now

  had to bring Eliza up all on his own.

  ‘Can we go to the shop and buy sweets, Daddy?’ Eliza asked.

  She brought his thoughts back to the here and now. She’d been

  sitting quietly beside him while his attention was elsewhere.

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  ‘Not from there, no. We’ll drive into town.’ He shifted the truck into gear and sped off. Away from her. He’d have to watch

  her more, find out her routine. Figure out a good time to

  approach her.

  ‘Ohh, but it’s so far,’ Eliza complained, slapping her hands

  hard onto her lap.

  ‘But there are better sweets in town. You need to be patient,

  Eliza. Good things come to those who wait.’

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  Chapter Seventy-Six

  2019

  Anna

  Thursday 18th July

  Anna rushed to the front door, calling to Muriel over her

  shoulder as soon as she spotted Lizzie’s car turn into the

  road.

  ‘Won’t be long, Mum. Ring if you need me.’

  She didn’t wait for a response. Muriel had appeared slightly

  more reassured once Sandie’s husband had set the video security

  camera up on the wall to the left of the front door – inside the

  alcove so it wasn’t easily visible – its lens trained on the door.

  Anna had tested it prior to Lizzie’s arrival – walking towards

  the house several times and reaching up to the point the doll’s

  parts had been left
. She then made sure it had recorded, checking the quality of the captured images. Though Anna felt happy

  with her purchase, she was annoyed with herself for having

  waited this long to do it.

  ‘You ready for this?’ Anna asked, as she got in the car and

  pulled the seatbelt over her chest.

  ‘As I’ll ever be,’ Lizzie said, her voice monotone. Then she

  added, ‘I’m keen to get some answers, to find out who the

  “someone” is who knows where she is.’

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  ‘Oh, there’s been another since that one,’ Anna said. ‘It was the other arm. The note read, “Someone has to confess. Now!

  Your time is running out.” One more to go?’

  ‘Christ. Well, I hope that is the case. As much as I enjoy

  unearthing my stories, I must admit, this has been too close to

  home. I’d quite like it to be over now.’

  ‘Oh, me too. I’m done with Mapledon.’

  Lizzie gave Anna a weak smile. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

  ‘What for?’

  ‘Believing it’s not me attaching Polly’s limbs to your door.’

  Lizzie’s eyes glistened. But she blinked rapidly and reversed the car sharply, driving back out of Muriel’s road without saying

  more. Anna didn’t respond. She couldn’t very well tell her that

  she still had doubts. She also refrained from mentioning the

  new camera. Trust had to be earned, and she wasn’t sure Lizzie

  had reached that level yet. One more day, or night, and she

  would be sure.

  Lizzie parked in front of Brook Cottage Store and Anna got

  out. Lizzie didn’t move.

  ‘You coming in?’ Anna asked, ducking down to look at her.

  Lizzie blew air from her puffed-up cheeks. ‘Yep. I guess so.’

  ‘What’s the matter? It’s like you don’t want to do this. If you

  want me to go—’

  ‘No, no. I do. I’m just working myself up to it.’

  Anna frowned as Lizzie finally exited the car.

  ‘It’s difficult, Anna – revisiting demons I’d suppressed so

  much that I don’t have a memory of them anymore. It’s like

  opening an old, deep cut.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right. That’s exactly what we’re doing.’

  The two women made their way around the side of the shop,

  to the accommodation behind, and rang the bell. Nothing.

  ‘Could they both be working in the shop?’ Lizzie asked.

  They went back around the front, Anna walking into the shop

  first, Lizzie hanging back reluctantly.

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  ‘Afternoon, Nell,’ Anna said. Nell Andrews was standing at the end of the nearest aisle, pulling items forward to the front

  of the shelf.

  ‘Hello, Bella. I’d heard you were back.’ Nell turned to face

  her. ‘Oops, sorry. Robert did tell me that you prefer Anna now.

  How’s everything, love? Mum okay?’ she said brightly.

  ‘Yes, she’s doing all right, thanks. Are you feeling better?’

  Nell gave her a quizzical glance before answering, ‘Oh, er . . .

  yes. Thank you.’

  ‘That’s good. Is Rob about?’

  ‘In the storeroom. What do you want him for?’ Her tone

  changed immediately.

  Anna was taken aback by her abruptness. ‘Oh, just a quick

  catch-up. But hoping he can help with something too, before I

  head back home.’

  Nell’s brow creased. ‘Well, I guess I could spare him. But I

  can’t sort the delivery on my own, and that’s due any minute,

  so . . .’

  ‘I won’t keep him, Nell.’ Anna forced a smile.

  Nell disappeared into the storeroom, leaving Anna standing

  alone in the aisle. She’d been gone a few minutes and there was

  still no sign of Rob. Anna crept towards the closed door, straining to hear voices. It sounded as though Nell was having a go at

  Rob, her voice harsh, demanding. She couldn’t hear what she

  was saying, though. Footsteps came closer; Anna scuttled back

  from the door.

  ‘Hey, Anna,’ Rob said as he burst through the door, his face

  blotchy-red.

  ‘Rob, hi. Can I tear you away from your work for a bit?’

  He looked furtively around at Nell, who was directly behind

  him. ‘Er . . . yeah, I can spare a few minutes.’

  Anna knew she wanted him for longer than that, but went

  along with it. ‘Good. Lizzie’s here too,’ she said, motioning

  outside.

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  ‘Oh.’ His face fell. Anna wondered what had gone on between the two of them, remembering Lizzie’s reluctance to leave the car.

  ‘Can we go inside? Into your house?’

  ‘Sure.’ He shrugged. He walked out the shop door, greeting

  Lizzie without making eye contact, and strode around the side

  of the shop. Anna and Lizzie followed.

  The musty smell assaulted her nostrils as Rob showed them

  into the first room on the right as they walked in. Anna couldn’t remember having been inside when she was younger – she and

  Rob hadn’t been particularly friendly; they hadn’t hung around

  with the same crowd. She was immediately drawn to the framed

  photographs covering two of the walls, going up close to study

  them. Lizzie came up behind her.

  ‘What do you notice in this one?’ she asked, pointing to one

  depicting Mapledon’s May Day celebrations. Anna let her eyes

  travel over the picture. Her heart gave a jolt.

  ‘Billy Cawley is there, watching the girls dancing.’

  ‘Yes, but look who he’s with.’

  ‘That’s Auntie Tina,’ she said, straightening, unable to keep

  the surprise from her voice. ‘But that doesn’t really mean

  anything – most of the village, if not all of it, would’ve been

  there.’

  ‘But that close? They’re touching, see? They don’t need to be.

  There’s plenty of room around them – it’s not like they’re being

  squashed together in a crowd.’ Lizzie sounded excited now, like

  she’d been drinking energy drinks and they were just beginning

  to kick in.

  But she was right – Tina and Billy looked very comfortable

  standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Anna searched the image for

  Mark, but couldn’t see him – only her mum and dad, Reverend

  Farnley and Nell.

  ‘But to be honest, Lizzie, the fact he’s with Tina Hayes only

  points to a connection between your dad and Jonie. If, as I

  assume you’re suggesting, he and Tina were close – having an

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  affair even – all that proves is he had access to Jonie. It increases the likelihood your dad abducted her, as far as I can tell.’

  ‘No. You’re missing the point, Anna.’

  Anna gave an exasperated sigh. ‘What point are you trying

  to make, then?’

  ‘My dad being in any kind of relationship with Tina doesn’t

  automatically mean he would abduct her daughter! That

  thinking is ludicrous. What I think it proves is that my dad wasn’t the man everyone made him out to be. A
nd Tina saw

  that. She saw something good in him where no one else could

  – or would – even attempt to. He was hounded the entire time

  he lived in this village, and she might’ve been the only person he had on his side. I bet that didn’t go down well with the

  women at the bloody Mapledon Meeting.’ Lizzie jabbed a finger

  at the photograph further along the wall. ‘They’re the ones who

  are key, I think,’ Lizzie said. ‘The ones who know.’

  Anna moved along the wall, her focus following Lizzie’s

  finger.

  ‘What makes you think that?’ Rob had finally found his

  voice, having been silent since he’d shown them in. ‘They’re

  just photos. The village isn’t big; you’re bound to see the

  same faces cropping up again and again. It doesn’t mean

  anything. And neither does that one.’ He nodded his head

  towards the photo Lizzie and Anna were now standing in

  front of.

  ‘That’s the women from the Mapledon Meeting.’ The voice,

  loud and sudden, made Anna start. She turned as Nell entered

  the room.

  ‘Yes, so I see,’ Anna managed.

  ‘Why are you so interested in these?’ Nell closed the door

  behind her.

  ‘I love looking at old photographs – they can tell you so

  much,’ Anna said.

  Nell pursed her lips. ‘They do say a picture can tell a thousand

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  words, but I’m not sure I agree. You can’t tell everything, can you? People hide themselves, even if in plain sight. I mean, you

  can’t see the evil lurking in him, for example, can you? Not from this photo.’ Nell pointed to the May Day one they’d been looking

  at before she came in.

  ‘Maybe because there’s no evil to see.’ Lizzie spoke so quietly

  her voice was barely audible.

  Nell huffed. ‘You would say that.’

  Anna felt the atmosphere shift and butted in quickly before

  things could get heated. She was interested in the women in the

  photo and wanted to find out more.

  ‘This photo,’ she said. ‘It’s dated Thursday, 1st June 1989.

  You must’ve had a million meetings; why was this one taken?’

  Anna noted that the women standing at the forefront of the

  picture – Tina, Muriel, Nell – seemed to be ‘in charge’. It was

  as though they were the most important.

  Nell shrugged. ‘No idea. Probably one of the few meetings