Chapter 27
LIZZIE
‘I know you’ve only got my best interests at heart, Alison, but I really want to see the children, so please bring them after school tomorrow, Lizzie. Just for a little time,’ Mum says.
‘I will,’ I promise. I don’t look at Alison. I can’t. My mind is in turmoil. It sounded an innocent enough remark, but the way Alison said it, her eyes piercing into mine… it sounded like a threat. And it’s not the first time she’s mentioned ‘something happening to Mum’, I recall.
When I do look up, Sheila and Alison are walking back to the house together, deep in conversation.
Mum is sipping her drink slowly and the colour starts to return to her face. ‘Ah, this is just what I needed. And to see you,’ she says happily.
‘I’m glad to see you too.’ I put my arm around her shoulder. ‘Are you sure you’re all right, Mum? You look a bit troubled. You know you can tell me anything.’
She sighs and rests her head against me. ‘Oh Lizzie, I’m in a bit of a tizz because everything’s gone wrong since the wedding. We should have gone to Prague for a honeymoon, and instead I’m stuck in here, feeling helpless. I can’t even go upstairs to bed.’
A sob catches in her throat, and my heart goes out to her. Is it all a coincidence that everything has gone wrong since Alison arrived? And it all started with Mum having that dizzy spell.
‘Can you remember much about your fall, Mum? How long did you feel dizzy?’ I ask as I move out of the hug to give Mum space to finish her drink.
‘It was so sudden. I’d been feeling a bit tired all evening, probably the excitement of the wedding.
Alison made me a hot drink, and I went to bed.
I shouldn’t have gone up the stairs really, my head was swimming.
I tried to hang on to the rail to stop myself falling but it was too late, I hit the floor.
I must have passed out. I don’t know anything else until I woke up in hospital.
George said Alison called an ambulance, dealt with everything.
I don’t know what we’d have done if Alison wasn’t here.
Thank goodness she didn’t go back to stay with Kenny as she planned. ’
Lucky or planned? Alison makes Mum a warm drink. A few hours later Mum is dizzy, falls and fractures her ankle. Is that simply a coincidence?
Stop it, Lizzie, you’re being paranoid.
The door opens and Alison comes out again. ‘Oh, you’re looking a lot perkier, Mum. I think a chat with Lizzie has done you good.’
‘It certainly has.’ Mum pats my hand. ‘It’s lovely to have so many people drop by to see how I am.’
I’m so pleased that she’s perked up. It worries me to see Mum weak and upset. She’s always been so positive and strong. I wish I could stay longer but I have to go and pick Isaac and Grace up now. ‘I’ll message you later, Mum,’ I promise.
‘I look forward to it. And seeing you tomorrow.’ Mum’s eyes meet mine. I feel like she’s holding something back. That she wants to talk to me but can’t because of Alison and Sheila.
Is she suspicious of Alison like I am? After all, everything was fine until she turned up. And it feels like Alison was warning – or threatening – me when she said ‘we don’t want anything to happen to your mum.’
Was my earlier thought that she might be out for revenge correct or am I being paranoid?
I’m sure Nick would say I am. Maybe I am.
But I’m going to keep a close eye on my mum, and I’m going to get my key back so that I can go and see her whenever I want, not when Alison allows me to.
If she does remember me and is planning a twisted revenge, then I need to be on alert.
I wonder if it would be best if I told Mum, and Nick?
That would stop Alison if she is planning anything.
I don’t want anyone to know what part I played in that awful tragedy, though.
It was an accident, and I was so young. I would do anything to go back in time and prevent it.
But if I have to tell everyone to keep my mum safe, then I will.
I hope I don’t have to, though. I can’t bear to see Mum’s face when she learns what I did. And what about Nick, will he be angry and upset that I’ve kept it a secret all these years? Especially as he knows Alison and they are old friends.
Or maybe more than friends.