Chapter 49
Forty-Nine
Gemma
‘Ethan, let me go. You’re stressing the baby.’ As we leave Clover House, he finally stops gripping my wrist and he’s walking away from me like he’s on a mission.
He glances back. ‘Come on, Gemma. Keep up. You want the truth, you’re going to get the truth. Let’s start with Quinn.’
I hurry to the end of the drive and he’s walking so much faster than I can.
He’s forcing me to face Quinn, which is unforgivable, but regardless, I can’t turn back.
I’m hungry for a huge dose of truth and I want it straight from their mouths.
I’m more cautious than Ethan with my tiny steps across the lane.
Zoe must have passed Ethan on Quinn’s drive because she’s once again on the path with her cleaning supplies, ignoring me again as she charges past.
I flinch as I catch sight of Ray staring at me. He shakes his head slowly. ‘Go home, Gemma.’
‘Ethan,’ I call as I ignore Ray and continue down Quinn’s drive. My legs are like jelly because all I can hear is Ethan pounding at her front door, shouting over and over again.
‘Open up, you lying bitch.’ He kicks her door, and Diggerty barks.
I don’t need this. ‘Ethan, stop it. You have to calm down.’
‘I don’t have to do anything. You’re leaving me, remember?
I owe you the truth, I know that.’ His pupils are dilated.
I don’t know why he couldn’t have told me the truth back at Clover House.
I feel sick at what Ethan has done but I feel sicker from seeing the scrap of Jasmine’s bag.
What the hell was the bag Jasmine was wearing on the day she vanished doing behind my aunt’s fake wall?
I’m lightheaded as my head fills with thoughts.
The girls – I need to get them out of here.
I’m hoping that Morgan and Cora are snuggled up watching TV, oblivious to what’s going on out here. Ethan sways a little and leans on the door. He’s a mess. This place has ruined us and I don’t think we can go back. I miss past Ethan and I don’t recognise the version of him in front of me.
Ethan almost topples onto Harry as Harry opens the door. Diggerty runs out. ‘Er, hello.’ Harry scrunches his brow.
I grab Ethan’s arm and draw him towards me.
Thankfully, Ethan doesn’t fight me doing this.
‘I’m so sorry, Harry. We should leave.’ This quest to show me the truth that Ethan has dragged me on isn’t worth upsetting poor Harry over.
The best thing I can do is leave. The snow falls heavier now which worries me.
I don’t know how long I have to safely leave Clover Lane.
Diggerty jumps and barks before eating snow.
‘Harry, where’s your mum, please?’ His tone has softened. It’s as if Ethan realises he’s talking to a child. That’s past Ethan, the one I love or loved.
He scratches his head. ‘She’s in her studio. She won’t come out and I’m worried about her. I’ve been calling her and she’s not answering. Her door’s locked.’ His eyes start to tear up. ‘I’m scared she’s hurt herself. The last thing she said was, “It’s over”.’
I step into Quinn’s house. However angry I am, I don’t want Quinn to be hurt.
I glance back at Ethan. He’s done enough damage.
‘Quinn.’ I call her name as I hurry down the corridor towards her studio.
Ethan is on my tail, and he seems to have sobered at speed as he overtakes me.
He tries the handle and bangs on the door.
There’s no answer.
‘Do something. You have to help her.’ Harry’s hands are gripping the hair on the sides of his head.
Ethan steps back and bashes his body against the door.
It won’t budge. He tries again and it creaks.
One more time and the door breaks open. He falls through and almost stumbles to the floor.
Quinn is lying in the middle of the dark room, lit up only by her computer screen.
All around her are illustrations of her new character.
An empty bottle of vodka has slipped from her hands.
Ethan’s mouth is wide open, and Harry has started to cry.
I hurry over and kneel beside Quinn. That’s when I spot the note with a pen on top of it.
It’s written in familiar black ink capital letters.
IT’S OVER.