Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Juliette had been surprised when Richard shouted her over the next morning and mentioned that Sarah would like to join her for coffee. She was busy with clients but arranged a quick lunch for the two of them.
She made a salad bowl, boiled some new potatoes and put out a tray of cheese and hams to choose from. Fresh bread had been in the cupboard already.
She was looking forward to having some company if truth be told. She’d found it particularly hard to be by herself this week.
‘It’s lovely to see you,’ Juliette said as she sat in her garden with Sarah. ‘I start talking to myself from the middle of the week.’
‘So it’s lonely without Danny?’
‘Well.’ She sniggered. ‘Sometimes it’s much more peaceful than if he was here.’
‘You seem to be fitting into village life from what I can see.’
‘Yes, the book club was fun and I love nipping to the coffee shop with my laptop. What do you do during the day?’
Juliette had dropped it in so subtly, but she’d been dying to ask. Perhaps now Sarah would come forward about being the nanny.
‘I paint too,’ Sarah replied. ‘Landscapes mostly. Richard will take them to sell when he does craft shows. They’re not much but I get pocket money for them. Saves me from being totally reliant on him.’
‘I suppose.’ She paused. ‘What did you do before you came here?’
‘I worked in a factory. When I met Richard, he didn’t want me to work and I was happy to leave that place behind.’
‘I expect you miss the camaraderie? Some of the places I’ve worked in we ended up being like family.’
‘I wasn’t really close to anyone.’
A silence dropped between them and for some reason, Juliette sensed the conversation was over. She decided to jump in with what she wanted to ask her.
‘Did Richard tell you about the child I thought I saw in your garden?’
Sarah took a sip from her drink before replying. ‘He did mention it. No one has visited us for quite some time now.’
‘I know. I’m sorry. I really thought I saw a little girl. And then last night, I thought I heard crying. I was out in the garden and well, the noise travels as it’s so quiet, doesn’t it? I think I’m going mad at times.’ Juliette couldn’t bring herself to mention the disappearing photograph.
‘Maybe it’s the foxes, or a cat?’ Sarah offered.
‘Maybe.’ It was good of her to try and make her feel better, but it wasn’t an animal she’d heard.
‘It will take a long time to get over your daughter’s death, if you ever do,’ Sarah added.
There was another pause as Juliette waited for her to speak again. It was a good opportunity for her to say she missed Richard’s daughter.
But Sarah didn’t say anything. Instead she looked at her watch.
‘Would you like a drop of wine?’ Juliette asked, not wanting her to leave just yet.
‘Oh, no, I—’
‘I insist.’
Juliette went to fetch a bottle and came out moments later to find Richard standing next to Sarah.
‘Oh, hi. Would you like to join us for a sneaky afternoon drink?’ She pressed her index finger and thumb together. ‘Just a little one.’
‘No, thanks.’ His smile was saccharine. ‘Work to do, you know. Which is what I came to remind Sarah about. I have some errands to run this afternoon.’
‘She’ll be fine here with me,’ Juliette said as she poured a glass of wine. ‘I’ll look after her.’ She was about to add the wine to another glass when Richard put his hand across it.
‘I don’t like to leave an empty house,’ he said.
Juliette sniggered. ‘I’m sure it’s capable of looking after itself.’
Sarah wiped at her mouth with her napkin and pushed out her chair. ‘I’d best get back,’ she said, standing up. ‘Richard is right. I do have a lot of work to do.’
Sarah wouldn’t meet her eye. Juliette had seen the glances passing between them and decided it wouldn’t be wise to interfere.
‘We’ll only be another half an hour or so, Richard,’ she went on regardless. ‘I’m sure that’s okay with you, isn’t it?’
Richard glared at her, then nodded.
‘Of course.’ He looked at Sarah. ‘Please don’t be late.’
Once they were alone again, Juliette poured wine into the empty glass. ‘A little won’t hurt, while he doesn’t know about it,’ she said, winking at Sarah. ‘Cheers.’
As they settled back into small talk, Juliette kept glancing at Sarah. There was something not right about the control Richard exerted on her, but who was she to get involved? If that was how they chose to live, then so be it.
Yet it did make her wonder why he’d suggested Sarah came round for coffee. He really blew hot and cold, as if he couldn’t figure out whether he should let Sarah out of his sight or not. She’d hate to be in a relationship like that.
So if she could give the woman a little reprieve from his oppression, then surely that couldn’t be a bad thing.