Chapter 6
GENIE
Now
I’m sick to the back teeth of Ed Nash. I really do wish that he would crawl back under the rock from which he came.
I know we have history together, but to be honest it’s a history I would like to forget.
I’m also getting quite anxious about what Ed’s going to reveal next if the price is right from the press.
I’ve got to tell Gray absolutely everything about my past, which is something that I really don’t want to do.
I don’t think I can bear him finding out the truth about me.
It will be just like when my parents found out what I was really like.
Grown-up Genie McNamara is going to have to sort out Evie Del Rio’s youthful mess once and for all.
I still haven’t quite worked out when or how I’m going to do it, but I really want my nice, safe, ordinary life back.
I’ll start by calling Maura. She’s always such a positive breath of fresh air.
I could have done with having Maura in my life sooner but she’s with me now and she’s always on my side.
I think I’ll tell her everything and see what she thinks I should do.
I’m hopeful that she won’t judge me too harshly. I reach for my mobile and call her.
Gray’s out tonight, a leaving do for one of his long-serving salesmen so it’s a great excuse for him to enjoy a few drinks.
Cassie’s staying at her friend Mel’s house, so that just leaves Will here, who will be so engrossed in his Xbox he wouldn’t even notice if the roof caved in.
With a near empty house, I’ll tell Maura to pack an overnight bag too, just in case.
The press interest is getting intense now since the Netflix documentary aired as more and more people have watched it and each day another amateur sleuth on TikTok posts another theory as to my identity, so I’m sure it won’t be too long before someone realises that I’m #thegirlinthesong.
Can you believe I’ve even got my very own hashtag?
The children are obsessed with TikToker Amira Malik who day by day seems to come closer to revealing my identity.
Her last TikTok went viral, and she’s been teasing that she has identified a few possibilities who could be Ed’s Evie Del Rio.
It won’t be long before Amira Malik finds me or gets to me via Gray or the children.
Gray’s old mate Jonesy says his villa in Florida is free for most of July and August, so I may be able to persuade Gray to take some time off so we can spend some family time together.
It will be good for the kids to get away from London, especially after Cassie’s GCSEs and to put some distance between us and the UK’s current media obsession of all things #thegirlinthesong
Maura arrives in a taxi in typical “Maura style” - her unruly curly red hair is loosely tied up in a scrunchie. She flashes a big smile at her driver as he dutifully carries her overnight bag all the way to our front door.
‘Thanks a million, Ahmed. You’re a real star.’
‘You are most welcome, Miss Maloney. Have a pleasant evening.’
‘I’m sure I will. Now, don’t you work too hard. I’ll see you again soon.’
I open the front door before Maura has even pressed our Ring doorbell.
‘Thanks so much for coming over. I…’ I start to say but my tears cut me off.
‘You’re fine, my love. You’re fine. I’ve got you.’ says Maura, enveloping me into her enormous bosom. ‘Let’s get ourselves inside and open one of Gray’s expensive bottles of wine.’ She cajoles me with a conspiratorial wink.
Maura knows my house almost as well as she knows her own, and she soon has me sat on the sofa, a large glass of rosé in my hand. She sits beside me, takes a big sip from her glass and waits until I’m ready to talk.
Before I can even say one word, I start to cry, letting out big, loud sobs.
Maura rushes immediately to console me. The tears keep coming but eventually they subside as I take a big breath.
Maura rubs my back, and my breathing starts to go back to normal.
We both sit there in silence as I try to compose myself and that’s when we both hear a loud creak from the stairs.
‘Will? Is that you?’ Maura calls out.
‘Oh, Auntie Maura. I was just getting some snacks.’ Will’s voice replies from midway up the stairs.
‘Come on down and say hello.’ Maura calls out to Will.
Will retreats from the stairs and gives Maura a big hug, his now tall frame making Maura seem even shorter than usual.
‘Have you eaten yet, Will?’ Maura probes.
Will shakes his head.
‘Well in that case, let’s order in, my treat.’
I immediately feel guilty that I haven’t even remembered to feed Will. Thank God Maura is here to help maintain some normality to our lives.
Maura hands him her phone to choose a takeaway. I remain sitting on the sofa, trying to look engrossed on my phone, discreetly wiping the tears away from my face, keen not to worry Will unnecessarily
‘Let’s have Chinese. I know it’s your favourite.’
‘You’re a great, thoughtful lad Will. Now choose plenty. It’s my treat, as long as we get some of that crispy aromatic duck with the plum sauce that your Mum and I like!’ Maura chatters on.
With a few swipes and clicks we were sorted for dinner and Will helpfully suggests getting some plates and cutlery from the kitchen.
As soon as he’s out of earshot Maura continues to calm me down and suggests that we can chat again after dinner if that’s still what I want to do.
As my mind starts to clear, I decide to shelve telling all to Maura for now.
I owe it to Gray to tell him first. There should be no secrets between a husband and his wife.