CHAPTER 31
Stalker
You jump into Jude’s Range Rover and draw her into an embrace as though she’s picked you up from the station. Not as though you’ve discovered your husband was paying your ex-boyfriend, and a former inmate, in the hopes of destroying you.
It’s criminal.
There’s no audio in her car so I have to go on gestures alone, and you’re both as expressionless as each other. It’s infuriating.
You’re infuriating! You float around with this attitude of perfection, a look on your face as though whatever caught your eye just curled up and died under your nose. You scowl and judge from your ivory tower. Eyeing everyone from head to toe, assuming we can’t see you.
But we can.
“Did you hear what I said?” His voice is grainy on the other end of my phone. The signal here is as shoddy as anything. There’s a storm coming, the rain feels never-ending.
“Yes, sorry. What?” I say into my phone. He’s testing me today, but, as you’ve figured out, I am not doing this alone. So, here we are.
Do you remember the first time we met, Ella?
It was a cold night, and I had two jumpers on, my fingers and toes aching.
I had just moved back in. The house hadn’t quite filled up yet.
It’s amazing how furniture and trinkets can warm you up.
Father had died six months earlier and I was only just ready to face coming home without him.
I saw you from across the street as you left Jude’s house, and it all seemed to click.
Destiny brought me to you right when I had to let go of Father, to give me some resolution. To give me a chance to destroy you.
“I was saying that I have done some digging but I can’t find any dirt on this Anya lady. Who is she, anyway? Does she know Ella?” His voice just about carries over the commotion in the background.
I rub my temple, my gloved fingers rubbery on my skin.
“No one important. Someone I wanted to send a package to, an old family friend who has suffered a loss.” It’s a lie, but I don’t want him connecting too many dots.
“Oh.” I can hear the disappointment in his voice.
This is your friend’s doing, Jude. I should have expected such tenacity from a journalist, they are dogs with their ever-searching nose. But what I need to know is, how much information can Anya give you?
“Thanks anyway. I need to go, OK?” I hang up without waiting for the answer.
I have to say, Jude is an interesting character.
Her house is big, garish and neatly maintained in a way that screams new money.
It’s not hard to break into, either. There’s something about this little community that offers a false sense of security.
I walked up her cobbled driveway. Ha! There was a large potted plant sat next to the door.
It’s a well-chosen door. One that is lighter coloured than the others around here, with a large black lion knocker which gives it personality.
I finally found the key inside the small hanging fuchsia, the left one, if you’re wondering. The door is surprisingly heavy.
I’ll be quick and tell you what I found.
One side of their bed is unmade, a pair of male pyjamas sits folded atop the neat side. Confusing.
There were still coffee cups that sat in the sink, one stained with a milky residue.
A smattering of cocaine on the edge of the large desk in the second office.
It burned against my gums and sent a tingle along my jaw.
Their books are placed in the study, but most of them seem unread.
I think he is controlling, but I bet you knew that already.
She’s brash, bordering on irrational. She keeps a diary, Ella.
A deep purple leatherbound softback that sits under her pillow.
The messy side of the bed is hers, of course.
You feature heavily in her diary, Ella.
Don’t you think that’s a little odd?
The sound of Jude’s car starting pulls me from my reverie back to the present. As she moves, so do I, trailing her in a car that neither of you notice. Do you ever look back?
We’re out of the village in moments, and we slip onto the dual carriageway with ease.
I’m in a rental car, see? I’m almost invisible.
I don’t need to stay too close, I know where we are going and so I flick on a podcast. My shoulders droop as we pick up speed.
I love driving, especially in weather like this, where the sky feels heavy and the wipers work hard to keep the windscreen clear.
We’re off to see Anya, aren’t we, Ella? Dear old Anya.
I should have bashed her head in when I had the chance, because I know Anya.
She’ll spill her guts at one little rattle but hopefully it’s useless information.
I wonder if you and Jude will be enough to rattle her?
You’re getting dangerously close. But I can’t move yet, the house isn’t ready, and I need to gather a few more things to bring this plan together.
You can’t just die. No, what use would that be?
What lesson would you learn if you faded to black?
Do you know how hard it is to install chains? It’s harder than you’d think. And let’s be fair, Ella. I’m no handyman.
I bet you’re beginning to wonder if I’m even here at all.