Chapter 20
Twenty
Gemma
I run to the bathroom, lean over the toilet and retch. There is nothing to bring up. I then sit on the loo to pee and it burns a little. During my other two pregnancies, I had very mild urine infections but this isn’t as bad – yet.
I think of that letter going missing and I don’t know what to do.
If I go rummaging now, Ethan will wonder what I’m up to.
The apartment door slams and the pipes chug a little which means the kitchen tap is running.
I flush and go out into the main living space.
Ethan finishes washing his hands. I swallow nervously, wondering if he’s found the letter.
He turns and smiles. ‘I do believe we’re winning the battle. That whole wall is down and do you want the good news?’
‘More good news?’ Phew, he hasn’t found the letter. He wouldn’t look this happy about its contents or me stealing it from Quinn. As for the good news, it’s not the nursery place; he’s already told me about that.
‘Yep, Robbie and Jake are coming up to help.’
They are regular members of our renovation team.
I can’t help but crack a smile on hearing that.
It means the work will get done a lot quicker.
We’ll be picking out flooring, paint and wallpaper before we know it.
I run over and hug him. He squeezes me back.
I refuse to believe that he slept with Quinn.
He wouldn’t. Now I know about James and the worms, things make sense.
I wonder if James even threw that article in the hamper just for laughs and I’ve been worried all this time.
This chaos is the work of a teen bully acting out and terrorising the neighbours.
I should speak to Tessa, get her to deal with her nephew.
‘That’s the best news. We’ll be out of here before we know it. Have you unearthed anything terrible?’
‘Nope, not yet. No asbestos or Japanese knotweed.’
That’s good, he definitely hasn’t found the letter but I need to find it.
He raises his brows and places his hand on my belly. ‘This will all be a distant memory soon. I don’t think it’s too early to be looking for somewhere to live. At least see what’s on the market.’
I smile and kiss him. Looking for a new house is what I really want to do, but for now, I need to find that letter. ‘I forgot to bring the post up earlier. I’ll be back in five.’
I leave Ethan with Cora and hurry downstairs to what will soon be the huge kitchen-cum-family room.
I rummage under the bills and behind the makeshift pallet table.
Nothing. The letter has gone. There is a gap in the floorboard and I wonder if the letter slipped through it.
There’s a crowbar on the other side of the room.
I run over and grab it before coming back to wrench the floorboard up.
After three attempts, it finally gives up and lifts under the strain.
I rummage around. The letter has vanished and neither Morgan nor my husband has it.
My fingers happen on something flexible and long. It’s a necklace.
A bang comes from upstairs and not the side we live in.
I pop the necklace in my pocket. As my legs begin to tremble, I remain silent and listen.
Whoever’s lurking up there is directly above me.
The single light bulb that hangs is swinging under their weight, casting creepy shadows across the floor.
My heart starts thrumming. My phone – I left it upstairs.
I could run outside for help but whoever is up there might get to my family before I get to the end of the drive.
I have to get to my family before the intruder does.
I creep into the hallway and up the stairs one at a time as I continue to listen.
All I can hear is the pounding of blood coursing through my body.
I need to get to the apartment. We can call the police from there.
As I dart past the broken window, an icy gust catches me.
A huge bang comes from Aunt Dorette’s old office.
The intruder is in there and there’s no way out of that room.
It’s too high to jump. I imagine they’re desperate and their desperation scares me.
Instinctively, I place my hand on my stomach.
I know Beanie is tiny and has a long way to go but I don’t want him or her hurt or shocked in any way, so I hurry to the apartment and fumble with my key.
I can’t get it in the lock. My hands are shaking too much so I hammer on the door over and over again.
The door to Aunt Dorette’s office slams. They’re coming.
‘Open the door,’ I shout. Twilight has fallen but I can still see my terrified reflection in the mirror on the other side of the landing.
As Ethan opens the door, I almost fall through it. I slam it and fall into his arms. ‘Call the police, there’s someone in the house.’