by Mary Grand
Beth could see the people coming off the Red Jet, the people waiting starting to board.
‘You keep walking. I’ll go and get it,’ she said.
Ollie entered into the excitement, running next to her as she rushed back to the car, picked up Alex’s phone and ran back.
‘Thank you,’ he said, and Beth watched him disappear down the tunnel.
‘Phew, that was close,’ she said to Ollie. Together they returned to the car.
Beth drove along the coast, parked at Gurnard and went down on the beach with Ollie. It was mainly shingle and Ollie kept away from the sea, preferring to sniff the seaweed and pebbles.
When the children had been young Beth had taken them to the beach a lot, but she realised this was her first time this year. She and Sami had only been a handful of times last year. In fact, now she thought about it, they did a lot less together than they used to. They worked, ran the kids to things, went for a meal with friends, stayed in. As she threw pebbles into the sea, she realised that she and Sami had never been on a proper holiday on their own. It was rather daunting: how would they get on, just the two of them, day after day? Maybe soon they should summon up the courage to find out.
Beth carried on walking, watched a mother with her toddler collecting shells, both totally engrossed in their task. She could remember collecting fossils with Layla and smiled; they were good days.
She breathed out and was starting to feel more relaxed than she had for days when her phone rang.
Beth looked down, expecting to see a call from one of the kids. However, it was a number she didn’t recognise. She answered her phone. It was silent.
‘Hi,’ she said, waiting to see if someone was going to speak… and then they did.
‘Stop obsessing about Kathleen. She had to die. You are like a grubby grey pebble that people trample over. I could throw you into the sea. No one would notice, or care, and you would disappear forever. I know your secret. You are living a lie. I can end your marriage and your life here.’
15
As suddenly as the call started it ended. Beth stared at her phone, the voice echoing in her head: an unnaturally deep man’s voice, dragging out the words. The voice had not been human. Like a clown, the disguise was sinister, and crept under her skin.
Her lips started to tremble; nausea gripped her stomach. As Beth stared at her phone it seemed to have become the enemy. Who was that? Her eyes darted around the beach: were they there, watching her?
Terrified, she called Ollie, staggered up the beach to the low concrete wall, and sat down. Gradually she started to steady herself. Ollie was sniffing the pebbles at her feet; his normality helping to ground her.
That voice, think about it: of course, they must have used one of those voice app things. The kids had shown her them, found them hysterical.
What had they said? From her bag she took a pen and an old appointment card and scribbled down what she’d heard as best as she could remember it.
Stop obsessing about Kathleen. She had to die. I know your secret. I can end your marriage, your life here. You are pathetic, a grubby grey pebble that people trample over. I could throw you in the sea, no one would notice, or care and you would disappear forever.
Beth reread the words: this wasn’t a prank; this was serious.
‘She had to die.’ They said that about Kathleen. Why would they say that?
The bit about knowing her secret scared her. How could they possibly know that? No one did; please God they were bluffing about that. Beth felt the nausea return; she was so hot. Stumbling back down the beach, she dabbled her fingers in the cold water, and then patted her cheeks. Ollie started to bark, waiting for her to throw pebbles in the water. She threw a few mindlessly but, as she did, she suddenly remembered that last line: like a grubby grey pebble people trampled over. Beth clutched a pebble; those were the same words as Kathleen heard. Tentacles of fear wrapped themselves around her, crushed her; she couldn’t breathe. This was no coincidence. Beth tried to remember if she’d told anyone else about this, but no, she didn’t think she had. There was only one explanation: the person who had been threatening Kathleen was now close to her, was using the same words to try to instil fear in her. That meant the caller was someone who’d been at the house party. Oh God, Kathleen had been right, because the people she knew didn’t make calls like that, and so someone really was acting a part, but who?
Beth looked around the beach again. The woman and child had gone, taking innocence with them. Clouds covered the sun, the sky now grey, the air cold. She felt very alone.
Ollie came close to her. He was soaking wet, but she collapsed on to the pebbles and cuddled him, crying. What was she going to do? All this time she had been hoping and fearing that she would turn over a stone and find out something that proved what Kathleen had said was true. But now there was no escape.
Slowly Beth got up and wiped her face. She had to get home.
She put Ollie on the lead and hurried back to the car. When she arrived home, she took Ollie through the back door, and was sitting on the floor trying to dry him when Sami came in.
‘Hi. I came home. I was too tired to work. Have a good walk?’
Beth looked up at him. She was still shaking. She couldn’t speak. Sami rushed over to her. ‘What’s happened? You’re soaking wet.’ He helped her up. Ollie, glad to be released from being dried down, went over to his bowl and noisily drank his water.
‘Let’s get you dry.’ Sami was speaking to her as if she was a child. Beth followed him upstairs, shivering. Sami handed her dry trousers and a top. She changed as he put the wet clothes on top of the washing basket. He handed her a small throw, soft and comforting, and wrapped it around her shoulders.
‘Tell me what happened.’
Beth started to cry. The words came out in small chunks. ‘I had a phone call, anonymous, not a number I knew,’ she sniffed, and Sami handed her a tissue. ‘It was awful, the things they said—’ She started to cry again, and Sami put his arms around her.
‘What did they say? Tell me. It’s only words, Beth.’
‘They told me to stop obsessing about Kathleen; they said she had to die.’ She stopped: she couldn’t tell Sami about the mention of a secret. ‘They said I was pathetic, that they could end my marriage and my life here.’
‘Did you recognise the voice? Was it a man or a woman?’
‘I don’t know. They used a voice thing. It was so scary.’
‘Hang on. Is your phone downstairs?’ Sami ran down and brought it back up. He looked through her calls.
‘Was it the last call?’
‘Yes. That’s it. I don’t know the number.’
‘Did you phone them back?’
‘No. Of course not.’
‘Well, I’m going to.’
Sami tried the number. He let it ring. It went through to voice mail and he left a message. ‘I don’t know who you are but if this call is repeated, I shall refer this number to the police.’
‘I don’t think they will ring again,’ he said.
Beth sat very still and then spoke, ‘Look Sami: there’s more.’ She repeated the lines about the pebble.
‘Seems a bit melodramatic.’
Her mouth was very dry; it seemed like a menacing presence was in the room, but Beth made herself speak. ‘Those were the same words the person who threatened Kathleen used to her, word for word.’
Sami scratched his forehead. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, and I never repeated those words to anyone else. I am certain the person who phoned me is the same person who Kathleen said was threatening her; and she said that it was one of the people there on that Sunday night.’
‘So, you think one of our friends made a threatening, anonymous call to you today?’
‘Yes, it must be. But don’t you see? In the call they revealed so much about themselves. Underneath this disguised voice I could detect the sort of person they really are. This isn’t someone who makes idle threats; this is serious. One of our f
riends is playing us along. They’ve fooled us all. They are wicked, like Kathleen said.’
Sami put his arms around her. ‘Hey, slow down. You’re in shock. That was a very nasty call, but don’t jump to conclusions. If this is seriously someone trying to warn you off, they could have all kinds of reasons. They could be scared you’re going to dig up something embarrassing. It doesn’t even have to be anything major. If you did my job, you’d see people get defensive and feel ashamed about all kind of things we might think are quite trivial.’
‘This isn’t trivial. This person had something major to hide, and I’m convinced more than ever that they were involved in Kathleen’s death. I heard it in their voice: they would do it as easily as throw a grubby grey pebble in the sea.’ Beth watched Sami, waiting for him, hoping in some way, he would say it was all nonsense.
However, his face was grave. ‘This is getting more serious, isn’t it? I don’t think one of our friends would kill, but maybe deep down one of them is disturbed. They would have to be to make this call, wouldn’t they? Of course, they might be able to justify it to themselves, but all I know is I don’t want them anywhere near you. I meant it last night when I said I didn’t want you getting ill again. I don’t care who made this call; this is not acceptable. You must report this to the police.’
Beth panicked. She realised that she had been telling Sami because she thought he would talk her out of action, water down what had happened. ‘I don’t know. Involve the police?’ She pulled the throw around her shoulders in the same way as Kathleen had wrapped her pashmina around herself.
Sami threw his hands up. ’You’ve been saying you’ll track down the person who terrorised Kathleen, and now maybe you have a chance to find them. If the police can trace this call, you might find out who it was.’
Beth could feel her chest pounding. ‘I don’t know. You didn’t hear them: I’m scared. What if the police don’t do anything, don’t catch the person? If I’m right, and they killed Kathleen, I’m not safe, am I?’
‘If the police can trace this person, I am pretty sure you will find out they had nothing to do with Kathleen’s death, and that will be a good thing. Come on. We need to follow this through.’
Beth saw the determination on his face. ‘OK. We can call the police, but I should make the call. But Sami, I am going to tell them everything. Everything Kathleen said to me, about her fear of one of our friends, the affair and the pregnancy. They should know everything now. If I give them everything I have then maybe I could finally let them take over.’
Sami rubbed his mouth with his fingers. ‘Yes, I think you’re right. I hope they will be discreet though. I do worry about Patrick and Conor. But I can’t have you being upset like this. You can tell them to come and talk to me about the pregnancy side of things. I was the one with Kathleen. I can tell them what they need to know.’
‘I could ring that officer, Sue. I’ve got her number in my bag.’
‘Good. Give her a ring in the morning. Now, you and I deserve an afternoon off. How about we go out for lunch somewhere and then have a walk with Ollie?’
‘A walk?’
‘Yes. I ought to get out more with you.’
Beth smiled. ‘I think that would be good. I’ll tell the kids to sort out their own lunch.’
They drove out to a dog friendly pub near the coast, ate a comforting meal of fish and chips, while Ollie munched on his treats under the table. Beth found it reassuring to be among people carrying on their normal lives; the fear that had gripped her started to loosen it’s grasp. When they’d finished eating Sami said. ‘How about we go down Shepherd’s Chine? We’ve not been there for a long time.’
They clambered down on to the beach, using the few steps that had not crumbled away. Beth started, as she always did, to look for fossils.
‘I’ll take this one home to Layla,’ she said. ‘It’s a good specimen. I know she’s grown out of it all now, but she might like to see it. So, what do you think of her and Conor?’
‘I think she’s more interested than him, and I think it will end in tears.’
‘The sooner it ends the better. I feel sorry for him. I know I stood up for him the other night, but I don’t want him and Layla seeing too much of each other.’
‘I agree. Kathleen told me about his temper. She reckoned he got that from his father. I think it might be more to do with frustration and confusion. His dad messed him up. Whatever, I’d rather he did his growing up away from Layla.’
They walked to the end of the beach. Then, as they made their way home Sami said, ‘Can we pop into the Hendersons’? I’ve a few things to do.’
‘Have you got the keys?’
He grinned. ‘I don’t need to go into the bungalow, so we’ll be fine.’
‘It’s ages since I’ve been up there, be good to see it again.’
Sami drove them along the Whitcombe Road until they reached the bungalow, which was surrounded by a variety of scruffy outbuildings.
‘Wow. It’s even more run down than I remembered.’
‘I know. One day, I reckon they will move out to Australia. Their heart isn’t in this place any more, but it’s a fabulous situation, and quite a bit of land.’
‘I could see myself with a smallholding here. Just think, I could keep hens, grow vegetables.’
‘I can’t see you growing vegetables. You never do anything back at ours.’
‘That’s because the garden is yours. Every space is allocated to plants and flowers. I’m not complaining. I have my own little slice of paradise to sit in.’
‘I’m glad you enjoy it,’ Sami said, smiling. ‘Now, let’s get down to work. We’ll go around the back of the house. I’ll come with you to the greenhouse and show you where everything is. I need to get my tools from there.’
Sami quickly found the key for the greenhouse under the watering can. ‘There are keys dotted all over the place here,’ he said, laughing. He gave Beth meticulous instructions and then left her. It was hot and stuffy inside, with that strong smell of tomatoes, but she was quite content watering the plants.
After a while Sami returned. ‘This is so much better with two. Could you hold the steps while I trim the top of the buddleia? It’s leaning onto the greenhouse out there.’
As she held the steps and Sami pruned, Beth looked over at the fields.
‘Not a bad place to run.’
‘I love it. It’s so quiet. I shall miss it when they come back.’
Beth stood soaking in the quiet evening sounds as he clipped away. When Sami came down, he started to gather up the clippings.
As they were leaving Beth looked over at the garage, ‘Didn’t you say the Hendersons bought a new Peugeot before they went away?’
‘Yes,’ he grinned, ‘and it’s the one you’ve been hinting about. Actually, it’s the three door version you fancy. Honestly, it would drive you mad. Look, come and see what I mean. I think the key is under a stone. I’ve not been in there.’
Sami found the key, and opened the garage door.
Beth saw a small black Peugeot. ‘It looks good, doesn’t it? I wouldn’t want it in black, though.’
‘I don’t think they have taken it further than Sainsbury’s. It’s like new. Hang on, you can look inside. They said the key is in the drawer.’
Once Sami had opened the car he said, ‘You can peep inside, but we’re too muddy to get in.’
Beth relished that new leather smell. ‘No dogs have been in here,’ she joked.
‘You see what I mean, though, about the doors. I know neither of our kids are that tall, but it’d be a squash getting in the back. Also, this driver’s door is heavy for you to open and close.’
Beth shrugged. ‘Maybe. I’ll have to test drive one sometime.’
Sami grinned. ‘You’ll agree with me in the end.’
Back home, after tea, feeling refreshed, Beth took out her sewing. Sami was back in the garden. It had been good to get out, but normal life had not resumed. The thought of m
aking the call to the police frightened Beth more than Sami could understand. He didn’t think this person had anything to do with Kathleen’s death, but he hadn’t heard their voice. That voice, those words had found a way to burrow deep inside her. Beth put down her sewing. Her hands were shaking. Should she just do what that person said? Why not leave it alone? What good was she doing? Why not stop stirring things up, keep her friends, stop fighting?
16
Next morning, Beth sat cradling her mug of coffee.
Sami arrived back from his run and on seeing her his face wrinkled with concern. ‘I’m glad this is your day off,’ he said. ‘You must rest today. Do you need to get an appointment with the doctor?’
‘No, really. I’ll be OK.’
‘Why don’t you let me ring the police about this call?’
‘No. I’ll do it later.’ Beth forced a smile. ‘I’ll be all right, you know. Don’t worry.’
‘You must ring me at the pharmacy if you need me.’
After Sami had left, Beth made coffee. She was still completely torn about this call. Sometimes, when she was like this, baking helped, so she went into the kitchen and started to make some Welsh cakes. As she rubbed together the fat and the flour, she imagined herself on the little step stool in her mother’s kitchen. ‘Perfect, good girl,’ her mother was saying. The griddle Beth used had been her mother’s, made for her by the ironmonger, and as Beth placed the cakes on it, she relished the comforting smell as they cooked. She knew exactly when it was the right time to turn them over and then when to place them on the cooling rack.
Beth made another drink, and sat eating the first Welsh cake, smothered in butter. The call was still on her mind and, as she sat sipping her tea, she realised that Sami was right. She had to do it: for her sake, for Kathleen’s.
Wiping the crumbs off her fingers, she picked up her phone and rang Sue’s number. Fortunately, Sue answered straight away. Although Beth had planned what she was going to say, she just blurted out that she had had an anonymous call. Sue seemed to catch the level of anxiety in her voice, and said she’d be round that afternoon.