“There’s plenty of green cars on the road and at first I didn’t think anything of it. But when I saw you checking those photos on your phone, I started to put two and two together.”
“Photos?” I spun to face her.
“Yeah. It looked like Matt had his arm around a woman and that woman wasn’t you. I wouldn’t have been concerned about it, but you looked worried. Then I saw that car again. Is she the other woman? Do I need to get out and hold her down?”
I sighed. “No! There will be no holding anyone down. And she’s not the other woman.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I was checking the photos for clues. You see I had them on the computer last night and you can see it’s a bad photoshop job. Whoever did it is setting Matt up. I just don’t know why.”
“Well, following her would be a good start to finding out.”
“Do you think the driver of that car is the woman in the photos?”
“Don’t you?”
I shrugged as I bit my thumbnail. “I haven’t seen the driver, so I don’t know for sure.”
“How often do you get followed?”
“Never.”
“Then there’s a pretty good chance they are related.”
The driver of the wagon had appeared when I wasn’t looking as the wagon was now presently pulling out of the car park and heading towards the road. My heart missed a beat as I considered what I knew.
“It could just be a coincidence,” I suggested. “There are a lot of green wagons getting around.”
“Well, there’s only one way to find out.”
Grandma was right. I hurriedly reversed out of the park and hightailed it after the wagon. I caught up with it quickly.
“You’d better not tell mum about this,” I warned grandma. “She’ll have a coronary and never let me take you shopping again.”
“Pfft. Take no notice of her. She’s another one that’s too uptight. I suggested yoga to her once. That didn’t work so I put her onto my Mindfulness app. I don’t think she’s doing it right, though as she’s not very Zen.”
The green wagon indicated and turned left at the next set of traffic lights. Keeping a few cars behind it, I followed. I then followed it along Main Road, Parker Street and Elm Street. By the time it turned into Nelson Road I was getting bored and I had an inkling they knew I was tailing her.
“Should we pull them over or something?” I asked.
“They might have a gun!” A light sparked in grandmas’ eyes and I could already imagine the story she was going to tell the girls at bingo.
“I’m sure they don’t have a gun. They’re illegal in Australia.”
“Yeah, it didn’t stop that psycho pulling one on Lizzie and me that time though.”
I shivered at the memory and eased back on the accelerator.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s not worth it,” I explained. “I’m not putting us both in danger just to find out who that is.”
“Oh, I was just joking. I’m one hundred per cent positive they won’t have a gun!”
“You’re that sure?”
She swished her teeth. “Probably more like eighty percent.”
I slowed the car to a stop.
“I can’t say that I’m not disappointed, but it’s for the best. I wouldn’t want you and the baby to be in any danger.”
“Yeah. I’m sure whoever it is will show themselves soon enough.” I really wished they would just disappear and never return, but I wondered what the likelihood of that would be.
“You should tell that really cute policeman about it,” Grandma suggested.
“And tell him what? That a green wagon was seen travelling behind me and then parked at the same shops we were at. I’m not even positive it’s the same car.”
Chapter Twelve
The week went by quickly after that. I kept my eye out for green wagons but didn’t see one again. I was now positive it was just a coincidence and hoped the driver hadn’t called the police telling them how they were being stalked by a black SUV with a pregnant driver and her eighty-five-year-old grandmother.
Tonight, was Friday night and was the regular get together with my siblings. We were going to Danny and Andrew’s which was great as I really needed Andrew to wash my hair. Not because it was dirty or anything, but because he gave the best head massage I’d ever had. In fact, I’d often mentioned to Danny that I thought it was better than sex, but he’d just told me that I mustn’t be doing the sex thing right.
I wanted to be comfortably dressed, so I stepped into my navy polka dot midi dress and coupled it with my mesh topped white Sketchers which I’d picked up this afternoon. They were perfect. Flat, comfortable on my feet, and good to look at. I may have purchased three other pairs in varying colors, but I had months of pregnancy ahead of me, so they were a great investment, right?
Matt would be there tonight too. It would be the first time I’d see him all week as I’d been avoiding him. That was a lot harder than it sounded. But as I still hadn’t figured out how I felt about our relationship I knew it was for the best. I really hoped my heart could let him into the friend’s zone if it came to that, but every time we spoke on the phone and I heard the deep dulcet tones of his voice reverberate in my ear, I doubted I’d ever be able to let him go. Thankfully I’d had the great excuse of us both being too busy to see each other. He was busy tracking down Darryl Lewis and I was busy with work.
Having Lizzie as my assistant was working out extremely well as she’d managed to have me fully booked for the next eight months. She kept my due date clear, but I needed to ask her what was going to happen if the baby came early. I sighed and pushed that conversation into the ‘too hard basket’.
An afternoon storm was raging as I reached the salon, noting Lizzie had beaten me and already had pole position at the basin, Andrew massaging her scalp. She moaned a couple of times and grinned from ear to ear. I sat heavily on the couch in the waiting area, shook the rain from my hair, and sighed.
“I told you that was better than sex,” I mentioned to Danny.
“Girl, have you seen Riley? Andrew is exceptionally good at what he does but there is no way I’m believing it’s better than sex with Thor himself.”
“Riley hates it when you call him that,” called Lizzie.
“It suits him perfectly,” added Danny, ticking off his fingers as he spoke. “He’s tall, blonde, and has muscles only a god would have.”
Lizzie giggled. “You’re right about the sex thing too. This is good, but Riley’s better.”
Danny, Andrew and I all released blissful sighs.
“Where is he tonight?” I asked.
“He was tired, so he decided to put his feet up and watch a movie.”
“We could have gone to your place so he wouldn’t have to come out,” suggested Andrew.
“I know, but he said he’d just be the wet blanket in the room. I was going to stay with him but he insisted I come out.”
“He’s probably sick of seeing you already,” added Danny. “I know I would be.”
“He is not sick of me! I’ve been the perfect girlfriend. I’ve made sure he’s been taking his medication. I’ve propped his pillows and cooked his dinner.”
“Oh my God! You cooked for him?” yelled Danny. “And he’s still alive?”
“I’ll have you know I’m a good cook!” Her eyes filled with tears as she sat up.
“I was joking Lizzie,” Danny added hurriedly. “Sure, you’re not the world’s best cook but you’ve managed this long.” He scurried across the room with the tissue box. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “It’s just too soon for the Riley dying jokes.” Her tears turned to big fat blobs as they spilled down her cheeks.
I stood and rushed towards her as Andrew pulled her in close. “But Riley is okay now poppet. He’s safe. That whole thing is over.”
“I know,” she managed. “We went to Jo
e Wood’s funeral today. My stalker is gone forever, and I know we can move forward. But I was so scared. What if I’d lost Riley forever?”
I gulped as my own tears stung. Lizzie was a strong woman and to see her so vulnerable was heart breaking.
“I’m sorry Lizzie. I’m really sorry,” said Danny, hopping from one foot to the other, his face pale. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It was a really bad joke. I’m so sorry.”
Danny’s timing hadn’t been the best, but we all knew he’d been more upset than any of us when Lizzie and Riley were missing. When we’d sat in the hospital with her waiting for news of whether Riley would make it or not, Danny was the most attentive. He was just a terrible comedian.
Lizzie reached for his hand and held it tight. “I know. I just...I don’t how I would have coped.”
“You don’t have to cope. Riley didn’t die. He’s at home waiting for you,” explained Andrew. “He needs a night alone with the cricket and for you to relax with us. Give him some time and he’ll be back to normal. He’s already doing so well.”
Andrew kissed the top of Lizzie’s head as we surrounded her in a hug. It was that moment when the door jingled, and Matt sauntered into the room. One look at us and he stopped in his tracks.
“Is...everything okay?” he asked.
We all sniffed and offered him a weak smile.
To be honest my knees were just as weak. Rain had dampened his hair and sat on the ends of his lashes. His shirt was wet and sticking to his pecs, outlining their perfection. His eyes were full of concern and that little crease between his brow had deepened. Thoughts of Lizzie and Riley swam through my mind and my chest constricted as I put myself in their position.
My resolve to distance myself until I’d sorted out my feelings dissolved, and I rushed across the room, flinging myself into his arms.
After all, being cousins hardly mattered, right?
He greeted me with warm arms, wrapping them tightly around me as a feeling of belonging pushed the fear away.
“It’s good to see you too,” he whispered.
****
We usually ordered take away on a Friday night, but in lieu of us all being sick and tired of pizza, Andrew heated up the barbeque and cooked the most delicious vegetarian meal I’d ever had.
Sufficiently full, I laid back on the couch, grateful I’d worn a dress with no waistband.
“So Molly, does this mean you’ve made up your mind about us?” Matt smiled at me, hope burning bright in his eyes. He’d been fidgety all evening, something heavy obviously on his mind, and I figured he’d just been worried about us.
“The whole cousin thing? Yeah. Thinking about what happened to Riley, I know I don’t want to lose you.”
“The cousin thing?” Danny asked, leaning over my shoulder.
Ooops.
“What are you talking about?” he pushed.
Matt looked to me, his eyebrows raised questioningly.
I sighed. “I guess you’ll find out sooner or later.”
Danny sensed gossip coming his way, whizzed around the couch and pulled up a chair, telling Andrew and Lizzie to stop talking and start listening.
Once everyone was attentive, I retold the story of Grannie Carol and the baby and how this meant we were all related.
Silence descended once I’d finished. Lizzie opened her mouth to say something a couple of times but then changed her mind. Danny looked shocked, and Andrew folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
“But Grannie Carol is so proper,” said Lizzie.
“How did she have an affair?” Danny wrinkled his nose.
“How did no one know anything about this until now?” asked Andrew.
“Are you sure this is all true?” Lizzie asked.
“Yeah, surely this is a weird dream and I’m going to wake up soon,” said Danny.
“So, you’re part of this family in more ways than one,” finished Andrew, directing his gaze towards Matt.
I found the whole conversation quite overwhelming, and I shrank back against the leather couch. Matt ground his jaw but took charge. Thank goodness.
Only when he’d addressed everyone’s questions and concerns, did I speak up again.
“But to add to that, someone is setting Matt up. Do you remember the photo I showed you in the hospital? Well there’s been more,” I added, without waiting for them to answer.
Hurriedly swiping my phone open I showed everyone the latest instalment.
Danny sucked in a breath. Lizzie looked quizzical and Andrew sighed.
“But it’s fake,” I announced. “I checked it on the computer and you can see it’s been photoshopped. Badly.”
“I told you it wasn’t me.” Matt smiled.
“It is you. The photo was taken with you at the beach. In fact, I found it on Sam’s Instagram feed.” Sam was Matt’s cameraman and best friend. “But the woman wasn’t in the photo. She’s been added.”
“Who is she?” Lizzie asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ve been wondering if she’s the one who’s been following me around in a green wagon.” And I told them about it.
“Why didn’t you stop her and demand to know who she was?” Danny demanded.
“I think you were smart not following her,” said Lizzie. “It’s best to tell Ed about it and leave things alone. Trust me. I know.”
“That was grandma’s advice too,” I acknowledged.
Danny choked on his own breath. “Grandma knows about Carol’s little secret?”
“No. But she knows about the woman in this photo. She was the one who suggested I follow her.”
Danny was on his feet, his arms in the air. “Alright, I need details!”
Lizzie grimaced and slunk back against the cushions.
“I only followed her from a distance and after a few streets I decided calling Ed was a far better idea.”
“So, what did he say?” Lizzie pushed.
“Ummm, well, I haven’t called him yet. Before you go mad at me Danny, I’ll have you know that I’ve been very busy. And I did wonder what exactly I would tell him. After all I don’t know if it is the same woman who’s in this photo. I never got a good look at the driver of the car.”
Matt opened his mouth to say something, but his phone rang. I saw the caller was Sam.
“What are you going to do?” Lizzie asked as Matt stood and stepped away from the group.
“Well, I thought if ever I saw her again, I’d ask her who she is and what she’s doing.”
“I meant about Grannie Carol’s baby news. Are you going to tell dad?”
“Not yet. I’ll give Carol a chance to do that. Even though she was adamant I should get rid of my baby.”
A collective gasp resounded.
“She didn’t…?” yelled Danny.
I nodded as Matt ended his call and walked towards me.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as he rubbed his hand over his face.
“Work calls. There’s been an accident on the highway, and they need me and Sam to cover it. Sorry Molly. I have to go.”
“Oh sure.” I was relieved it was work. With the events that were happening recently the call could have been several things. “Will I see you later tonight?”
“I’ll see how late I am,” he answered, checking his watch. “But I’ll message you.”
“Okay. I hope everyone is alright and there aren’t any casualties.”
“Me too. That’s just a nightmare for everyone involved.” Matt leaned down and dropped a delicate kiss on my lips. His heat seeped into me and I instantly knew I’d made the right choice about our relationship.
Following him to the door, I hoped for an even better kiss, but his mind was already on the job, and he left me with a smile.
I waited until his car was out of sight before turning back to my siblings. As I did a flash of green caught my eye as a vehicle went under a streetlight. I spun just in time to see a green wagon disappear down the street.
“I…I just
saw the car,” I stammered.
“What’s that?” Danny called.
“The green wagon. I just saw it!” My heart raced.
Lizzie was up and at the door in seconds. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It was a green wagon.”
“I meant are you sure it was the same one that you saw earlier?”
I bit my lip. “I think so.”
“How many green wagons are running around Westport?” she asked as Danny joined us at the door.
I shrugged.
“A lot,” said Andrew. “It’s a popular choice.”
“But I’ve never seen one around here before,” stated Danny.
“Well that doesn’t mean anything.”
“What are the chances it’s the same one?” Lizzie asked.
I thought it through as I watched at least ten more cars follow it, three of which were green, but only one of which was a wagon.
“What if whoever is driving it followed me here tonight?” I suggested.
“That’s creepy,” said Danny, rubbing his arms.
“If they followed you then why did they just drive away?”
“Because Matt left.”
“But they’re following you, not Matt,” said Lizzie.
“But what if they’re only following me because of him? He leaves and now they’re following him.”
“Call him and let him know,” she finished.
I spun on my heel and grabbed my bag.
“Hey Siri, call Matt.”
“What you can’t press his number?” Danny said on a sigh.
“This is quicker,” I defended myself. Plus, this way no one would have to see how hard my hand was shaking. The call connected and I got his message bank. Damn.
I rubbed my stomach as a gnawing started to eat through its lining.
“If you’re really worried then we should go out to the highway and tell him,” suggested Danny.
Lizzie and Andrew looked skeptical.
“What?” Danny placed his hands on his hips and jutted his bottom lip out. “This way she can warn him about the car and we can find who’s driving it.”
“You sound confident about that,” I threw in.
Wicked Little Lies- Molly Page 12