Chapter 16 #2
For the rest of the morning, I sit in my studio with my laptop, researching everything I can about Kimmy Gould.
Alicia has already hunted online, but I want to check for myself.
Other than a private Instagram account I can’t get into, with a smiling photo of Kimmy looking over her shoulder, there is no information about her.
Nothing to say she’s gone missing. But it’s only been eight days, so that could just mean no one has noticed yet.
If she was estranged from her family in America, then it’s plausible no one is looking for her.
I only look up from my laptop when the doorbell rings. I click on my phone camera app so that I’m prepared for whoever is there, but it refuses to load.
Preparing myself for a confrontation, I head downstairs to answer, surprised to see Declan standing in my driveway, his hands in his pockets. ‘Um, hi,’ he says. ‘I know you came looking for Mum earlier and Dad gave you the brush-off.’
I’m about to answer, but hold up my hand, gesturing for him to wait a moment. Quickly, I pull out my phone and send him a message.
Can we talk somewhere else? Will explain.
I gesture to Declan’s pocket. ‘Was that your phone I just heard?’
Frowning, he pulls out his phone, his eyebrows raised as he reads my message.
‘Um, anyway, I came to tell you to please leave Mum alone.’ He types while he says this, and I find myself disproportionately relieved that he’s playing along.
‘Georgia can tell me that herself,’ I say, as my phone beeps.
I scan the message.
Thursley Park? One hour – 2 p.m?
I give it a thumbs-up then start to close the door. ‘Just pass on my message to Georgia, please. I won’t stop trying to talk to her.’
Relieved that he’s willing to give me a chance, I watch Declan head home before I close the door.
Grey clouds hover in the sky when I get to Thursley Park. I’m ten minutes early, and there’s no sign of Declan yet. I watch people wandering into the park, envious of their apparently carefree minds.
I’m checking my phone to see if Leo’s replied when there’s a tap on my shoulder. I spin around, ready to admonish Declan for scaring the hell out of me, but it’s not him standing there.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Georgia says. ‘I stood up for you when everyone else was ready to throw you and Leo out of Silverleaf. And all this time you’ve been dragging my son into this . . . this whatever it is you’re doing.’
‘Georgia, I swear to you – I haven’t dragged Declan into anything. I just—’
She shakes her head. ‘D’you know the worst part?
He’s a kind boy. He’ll give anyone a fair chance.
Hear them out even if everything they’re saying is wrong.
And you . . . you’ve manipulated him.’ She shakes her head.
‘He’s only twenty-one, Ria. What’s wrong with you?
And you’re a teacher, too! Just leave my son alone! ’
My body heats up. ‘Declan isn’t a child!’ I shout. ‘He’s an adult who can make up his own mind about things.’
‘I thought you were a friend,’ she says, her eyes filling with tears.
‘Just stay away from my family. We mind our own business and never bother anyone, and now all this is happening. Wasn’t I kind to you, Ria?
I welcomed you into the fold, and now you’re arranging secret meetings with my son. It’s sickening!’
There’s no point responding. Instead, I turn away from her and head in the direction of home.
‘Leave us alone!’ Georgia yells after me. ‘I’ll call the police!’
When I’m away from the park, I sit on a bench at the side of the road and check my phone. There’s a message from Declan.
I’m so sorry about Mum. She saw your message on my phone. She must know my passcode.
Instead of replying, I call him; it will save time, and I know that, at this moment, Georgia isn’t anywhere near him.
‘Hi,’ he says. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘It doesn’t matter. Your mum’s right. I should never have involved you in this. Whatever’s going on.’
‘I’m an adult, Ria – I make my own choices. And I don’t like what they’re doing to you. It’s crossing a line. I mean, it’s one thing caring who moves into the road you live on, but this is something else.’
‘I appreciate that. Listen, I think I know who the woman was.’
There’s a pause. ‘Ria, I—’
‘It’s not just me saying it – someone approached me and told me she’s convinced she knows who it was. We just need to find proof. And I think Xander or Eleanor has something to do with it.’
Declan clears his throat. ‘Look, I know I don’t exactly like the neighbours. Actually, scrap that – I detest them – but accusing people of murder, it’s—’
‘I’m meeting this person tonight. What if you came too so you can hear what she’s got to say? Please, Declan. I could really do with an ally in Silverleaf.’
‘Ria, I’m sorry. I think maybe I should stay out of this. It doesn’t mean I agree with what they’re doing, and I’m still on your side. But . . . my parents will disown me, and I still have to live there until I’ve saved enough to move out.’
‘I understand,’ I say, trying to smother my disappointment. ‘But if you change your mind, we’re meeting at eight at the Rooftop – it’s a bar on Trafalgar Square. I know it’s a bit of a trek.’
‘Sorry, Ria,’ he says. ‘I’d better go. I have an exam tomorrow. Just take care.’
We end the call, and once again a suffocating isolation hovers over me. And the sickening dread that the walls are closing in.