Chapter 52
Fifty-Two
Gemma
We need to get out of this house. Knowing what the poisoner is capable of sends my mind into overdrive.
I believe they pushed Aunt Dorette. I believe they’re manipulating all of us, and I believe they’re coming for me, and I don’t just believe they’re out to expose me.
My children are in danger. The word fall underlined in the first letter makes my spine tingle.
I look out of the window. The snow is heavy now so we can’t waste any more time.
I can’t find a holiday letting at such short notice, no one is getting back to me – but there are plenty of hotels in Whitby.
We can grab our bags and leave, but we need to hurry before we’re trapped on Clover Lane.
We might already be trapped for all I know because Tessa’s car was stuck.
Our vehicle is heftier and bigger , I keep telling myself that.
I don’t care if Ethan has to dig us out of here.
‘Mum, I love you.’
‘I love you, too, sweetheart. Let’s pack. Just essentials. Dad can bring us more things tomorrow.’
‘What about Dad?’ Morgan asks. ‘We only have the pickup. Dad will be stranded here.’
I shrug.
‘We can’t leave him. I know you’re angry with him and what he did was wrong, but it’s too dangerous.’
Morgan’s right. Despite what I think, he’s still her father. He’s a liar but I don’t want to put him in harm’s way. We all have to leave together. ‘Okay, get packing and I’ll go and get Dad.’
‘Can you throw mine and Cora’s things into a bag, too? Just essentials.’
She nods and gets straight to it. I’m so proud of Morgan. As soon as we’re in a warm, cosy room away from Clover Lane, I’m going to tell her exactly how proud I am. I should be her rock but she’s being my rock.
I hurry out of the apartment and as soon as I reach the top of the stairs, I feel an icy breeze travelling from the broken stained-glass window.
It sounds like the missing birds chirping.
I imagine my own baby birds going missing and it sends a huge chill through me.
A hint of light from the moon catches the mirror on the landing, but that’s not what’s grabbing my attention.
Small pockets of light dapple everywhere because the glass has been smashed.
I point my phone at it then I hear a sound coming from the balcony room.
It’s the damn door banging. Ethan has left it open again and the storm is whipping up.
Phone in hand lighting the way ahead, I hurry downstairs, angry because I couldn’t trust Ethan to do the one simple thing I really needed him to do, lock that door. He keeps on letting me down.
I hurry past the main entrance and enter the living space.
All of it is in eerie silence with only the light bleed again coming from Aunt Dorette’s snug.
My chest tightens as I approach. First I think of my necklace, the one I found under the floorboard, and I’m back to that day in the woods when I was fourteen.
The smoke dispersed and Jasmine stood up from the log, holding her dog bag as she mocked me and Quinn for that kiss.
I’d been wearing that necklace, that was until Jasmine snatched it from around my neck.
Ethan found Jasmine’s bag, the bit of caught blue plastic that I know was from Jasmine’s raincoat and then there was the note in the den. JASMINE WOZ ’ERE.
We have to get out of here before the weather traps us. ‘Ethan,’ I call out.
A grunt comes from behind the door followed by a crash.
I burst through to find my husband on his knees pulling floorboards up.
We stare at the rolled-up rug. Ethan is letting it spin open, and I scream as bones and the rest of Jasmine’s blue raincoat are revealed.
Ethan gives the rug one last shake and several bones clatter to the floor – Jasmine’s bones.
I retch and step back. My heart thumps so I place a hand over it.
Ethan stares wide-eyed at the scene before us.
We’ve found Jasmine. I let out a cry and step out of the room. Ethan holds me and I let him.
‘We need to get the kids ready to leave and call the police,’ he whispers as if he senses someone is listening.
Cora screams from above – loud, blood curdling screams. I run to the bottom of the stairs and the front door crashes on its hinges. We’re not alone. I dart up the stairs with Ethan right behind me. The door to the apartment is open. In a rush I left it unlocked. The lights have gone out.
‘Morgan.’
Cora shrieks, but this time more playfully. I freeze. Her shrieks come from the balcony room.