Chapter 40
SCARLETT
I look up, surprised to see Connor standing at the end of the jetty, holding out my open towel. I try to act nonchalant as I negotiate the remaining steps, even though my body is shaking.
‘Refreshing in there, was it?’ he asks, holding out the towel.
‘Very.’
His smile gives me the creeps, or am I just freaked out by what I’ve just seen in the lake? ‘Dad’s going to be mad at you. He doesn’t allow swimming in the lake. The reeds are too dangerous.’
A voice calls from the start of the jetty. ‘What’s going on?’ Justin is approaching.
My heart hammers in my chest, and that’s not because of the exercise. A murderer is walking towards me.
‘Didn’t I tell you not to go into the lake?’ His face gives nothing away. I can’t tell whether he knows what I’ve just seen. The dread is in my chest now.
‘The water was just too inviting.’ I find my best smile and reach for the towel from Connor, drying my hair in an attempt to hide my shaking hands.
‘My mother always said I was a water baby.’ My voice is steady for someone who has just come face to face with a corpse and is now standing in front of the man who killed her. But I’m unsure I’ve convinced him.
‘I thought you were going to London?’ Connor says to Justin.
‘Change of plan. I’m not going now.’
Connor raises his hands and drops them. ‘I’ve had a wasted journey, then.’
‘Sorry about that. As I said, plans changed,’ Justin replies curtly.
I look at Justin out of the corner of my eye. Why did he call his son to come here when he knew I’d be here?
‘You’re shivering,’ Justin says, his face deadpan. ‘The water isn’t that cold, is it?’
An involuntary exhale. ‘No, it was lovely.’ I need to stay sharp. One step wrong, and I could find myself joining that woman in a bag at the bottom of the lake. ‘Just my reaction to getting out!’
Justin’s eyes find mine and don’t leave. ‘You seemed in a panic there.’
I avoid his gaze and let the shivering hide how much my body is actually shaking.
‘Got a cramp in my calf.’ I bend over and massage my leg.
‘It was painful.’ A drop of water from my hair rolls down my face.
I dare to look at him. ‘It’s better now.
’ I fake a smile. ‘I’ll go and shower before Hattie wakes up. ’
‘Imogen,’ he says.
It’s the first time he’s called me that. And come to think of it, I’ve never told him that’s the longer version of my name. Something colder than the lake runs through me. He knows more than he’s letting on. I’m certain of it.
‘Don’t leave my mother in the house while Beth and I are out.’ He gestures towards the house. ‘She can’t be left alone. It’s too dangerous.’
‘Sure. I won’t do it again.’ I slip on my flip-flops. ‘I did check on her. She was dead to the world.’ I cringe. Not the best choice of words, given what I’ve just seen. ‘I thought you said I could take a break.’ I walk away, wanting to get away from here as soon as I can.
Justin walks on one side of me, Connor the other. Justin hands me my shorts and T-shirt. ‘Here, you left these.’
‘Thanks.’ My voice is squeaky. I’ve got to keep my wits about me here.
They keep pace with me, one each side.
‘Mum has a knack for wandering off. I told you we recently found her in the lane. She needs constant supervision.’ His arm brushes mine. I recoil from his touch. ‘Stay in the house in future, please.’
My nerves steady. Maybe he doesn’t know what I’ve just seen. But I can’t risk it. I need to play it cool.
But as soon as I can escape, I’m out of here.
‘Understood.’
He nods.
I quicken my pace, my wet feet squelching in my flip-flops across the grass.
‘You seem to be in a hurry,’ Connor says.
I shrug. ‘I just want to get in the shower.’ I turn to Justin. ‘Why didn’t you go to London?’
Justin answers matter-of-factly, ‘Beth had a bit of a turn. We had to abort mission.’
‘Poor Beth. Can I do anything?’ I’m trying to act normal, but I’m struggling. All I want to do is go and change into my trainers and run.
‘She’ll be fine now she’s home,’ Justin says.
‘I’ll go and see her,’ Connor suggests. ‘Make sure she’s alright.’
‘You can still go to London if you want to,’ I offer.
‘I don’t think it’s wise for me to go now, do you?’ Justin says.
‘You go. I’ll be fine with them. And Connor is here now,’ I say.
‘I won’t stay if everyone is here,’ Connor says. ‘I have a lot going on.’
‘That’s a shame,’ I say. ‘All that way.’ Part of me wants him to stay. The other doesn’t. I don’t know if I trust him either.
‘It’s fine. It’s only thirty-five minutes on the train. At least I’ll get to see Mum and Grandma while I’m here.’
‘I’ll give you a lift to the station,’ Justin says. I feel his eyes boring into the back of my head. ‘I might go in the morning. If everything’s settled around here.’
I don’t know how, but I make it back to the house. ‘I’ll get showered, then I’ll come and sit with Hattie,’ I say.
Justin nods and disappears towards the kitchen followed closely by his son.