Chapter 44
SCARLETT
‘Say that again, Hattie.’ I have to know if she’s referring to my sister.
‘Say what, dear?’
‘Daisy. You said Daisy. I reminded you of Daisy.’
She looks at me blankly.
I swear under my breath. This is winding me up. ‘Please, think, Hattie. Did you know Daisy? Was she here?’ I say urgently.
‘I’m sorry, dear. I get muddled. Who’s Daisy?’
I force a smile. ‘Daisy Parker. Did she live here? Did she come here like me?’
Her blank expression remains. This is so frustrating. Time is against me. I wonder what Beth would say if I asked her about Daisy. I fold back the covers. ‘Get into bed, Hattie. I need to speak to Beth quickly. I’ll be right back.’
I rush across the landing and stop at Beth and Justin’s bedroom door. I hesitate. What if she’s part of all this? She can’t be. But I can’t be sure. I gently knock at the door. My heart is thumping. ‘Beth. Beth, I need a quick word.’
She doesn’t answer. Perhaps she’s gone back downstairs or is already asleep. There’s a scratching at the door. I slowly open it. Blue escapes through the gap and heads for the stairs. I peek in the room. Beth is asleep.
I return to Hattie. She’s already in bed. ‘You need to clean your teeth,’ I say, but her gentle snoring tells me it’s too late. Damn. I wanted to probe her some more.
I creep downstairs but head to my room instead of the kitchen. I’m shaking more than I thought possible. Once Justin is in bed, I’m out of here.
I get my bag ready, exchange my flip-flops for my trainers, and start tying them nice and tight. Just in case. Nerves have overcome me. I can’t stop shaking. But once I get away, adrenaline will carry me forward. I’m tying the last lace when a knock at the door makes me look up. ‘Hello.’
The door opens. Justin appears. ‘Imogen. Can you come to the kitchen, please?’
‘I was just about to go for a walk,’ I say. ‘Hattie’s in bed, and I thought I’d get some exercise. It’s such a beautiful evening.’ There’s no mistaking the falter in my voice.
‘It’s important.’ He turns and leaves.
I don’t know what to do for the best. Brave my escape now and risk him seeing me and coming after me, or keep him calm until I can slip away unnoticed once he’s gone to bed. It has to be the latter. I head to the kitchen, wondering what he could want.
He sits at the table, his hands steepled, watching me walk towards him.
Blue is in his bed; he stirs when I walk in, but quickly settles when he sees it’s me.
‘You haven’t touched your drink.’ Justin pushes the almost-full glass of lemonade towards me and points towards a chair.
‘Sit. I want to discuss your hours and your role here. I also need your bank account details so I can sort out paying you. We should make things a little more formal before I leave for London.’
I press my lips together. ‘Yes, about pay. I’m wondering if you could give me cash.
You know, save me having to declare anything for tax purposes.
’ We’ve been over this. I’ve told him he needs to pay me cash.
I eye the open door. I could make a run for it now.
But he sits between me and my only means of escape.
‘Sit. Sit,’ he repeats. ‘Let’s discuss.’
Gingerly, I take a seat and sip my drink, trying to steady my breath.
‘Such a good drink, isn’t it?’ he says smoothly and takes a sip from his glass.
I nod. It’s so refreshing, and I’m parched. I’ve not eaten much all day, and I’m going to need the energy for what’s ahead, so I drain the glass.
‘Before we start, Imogen.’ He fishes in the pocket of his shirt.
My gaze snaps to the open door.
‘What have you been doing in my office? And can you tell me the meaning of this?’ He doesn’t speak after this. Just slides the photo of him with my sister across the table.