Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Juliette froze. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Her name is Daisy.’
‘What?’
‘She’s Richard’s child from his previous marriage. He goes out most nights and he locks me in the room with her.’
‘I don’t believe he’d—whatever for?’
‘He controls everything I do.’ Sarah glanced down the drive as if she was terrified that he would return any minute. ‘I’ve thought of telling you lots of times, but I didn’t know if you’d believe me.’
‘So instead you make me think I’m seeing and hearing things? That’s pretty low.’
‘I’m sorry. I have no choice but to go along with him. Richard – he scares me. He can be really cruel. I had to take a chance now he’s gone out, to talk to you. I wasn’t going to mention anything but I-I can’t go on living like this. Under his control. It’s not right. Yet I don’t know what to do.’
‘Why do you stay?’ Juliette wanted to know.
‘Because I’m frightened of what he’ll do to me if I leave – and Daisy. I stayed with him after his wife left because he wanted me to look after his daughter.’
‘Do you know why she went?’
Sarah shook her head, but Juliette sensed she was lying.
‘Don’t you think it’s strange she hasn’t been in contact for over a year, not even to see how Daisy is doing?’ Sarah added. ‘Who would leave their child like that? I certainly wouldn’t and I don’t think Louisa would either.’
‘Wait a minute, are you saying you think something has happened to her?’
Sarah looked down for a moment. ‘He says if I tell anyone of my suspicions then he’ll hurt her.’
‘Is Daisy here with you now?’
‘Yes, we keep her hidden.’
‘What?’ Juliette’s eyes widened.
Sarah gulped. ‘Richard doesn’t want her to be seen in case people start asking questions about Louisa.’
Juliette thought back to talking to Linda and hearing that Richard’s wife and daughter had left. Was it possible he had harmed Louisa and then hadn’t known what to do about Daisy? If Daisy was still around, there would be questions asked and explanations needed.
She looked at Sarah, who was still in tears. ‘You know more, don’t you?’
Sarah paused but then shook her head.
‘What did he say about her leaving?’
‘He said she’d gone suddenly, and that I was to look after Daisy while he thought about what to do next.’
A sensation of falling came over her. Juliette put her hand out to rebalance herself and luckily the motion subsided. But the feeling of nausea stayed with her. What was happening here?
‘You have to go to the police,’ she said. ‘You can’t keep—’
‘No,’ Sarah cried. ‘It’s too dangerous. But you could help me. We could find Louisa and if we can’t, then we involve the police. We have to have proof.’
‘Of what, exactly?’
‘I-I don’t know but I think Louisa is missing and I don’t want anything to happen to Daisy, or me.’
Juliette shook her head in disbelief. ‘So Richard keeps you against your will?’
‘He says I can leave any time I want but that I’ll never see Daisy again.’
‘Well, I suppose as she isn’t your child, you won’t get custody.’
‘I can’t leave her with him,’ Sarah cried.
‘You think he’d harm her too?’
‘I’m not sure. But I can’t chance finding out. So I stay. I won’t have that on my conscience.’
‘Are you okay though?’ Juliette couldn’t begin to imagine how scared Sarah would be feeling. ‘You’re not in immediate danger?’
‘I don’t think so. Richard can be volatile, but you’ve seen me, I play along so he thinks it’s all under control.’
‘You’ve been doing that for a year?’
Sarah nodded. ‘Please don’t think ill of me. You don’t know what he’s capable of.’
Juliette paused, thinking what to do next. ‘Do you know where he’s gone today? What time he’ll be back?’
‘He’s out to collect some supplies for the business. He’s usually away for a few hours, once a fortnight.’
Despite not getting her head around what was happening, she had to ask. ‘I need you to do something for me while I think what we can do next. I want to see Daisy.’
‘You can’t.’ Sarah shook her head fervently. ‘What happens if he comes home early?’
‘You can keep a lookout. If we leave the kitchen door open, I can run out that way and get back into my own garden somehow. I promise I’ll only be a few minutes at the most, but I have to see her. I need to believe she exists. I’ve been told for the past few weeks that I was imagining things.’
Sarah had the decency to blush. She lowered her eyes momentarily, but then she looked at Juliette again, fear visible this time.
‘What if Daisy says something to Richard?’ she said quietly.
But Juliette was determined. ‘I’m coming round.’
‘No! Forget I said anything.’
‘But—’
‘Please!’
‘I have to see her. Don’t you see? To make sure she is real – for me.’
Juliette stood her ground until Sarah relented.
‘Okay.’ She nodded. ‘But you must be quick.’
Juliette raced round next door and followed Sarah upstairs. Sarah went into the front bedroom first, glancing through the window to check the driveway was still empty and then with one final look at Juliette, she opened the door to a room at the back of the house.
‘Daisy, say hello to the lady.’
Juliette stepped into the room. The walls were covered in unicorns, on the bedding and curtains too. The sash window let in a little light. As it only overlooked the rear garden, venetian blinds ensured privacy while still letting in light.
The little girl was sitting at a child’s desk, a colouring book open at a page that was half coloured in. She had the biggest, bluest eyes, and pigtails. Her clothes were clean and the room was spotless.
‘Hello, lady,’ Daisy said.
Juliette couldn’t find her voice at first. Then she gave a little wave. ‘Hi, Daisy. What are you colouring in?’
‘It’s a picture of a unicorn.’ Daisy held it up for her to see.
‘That’s very pretty.’ Juliette admired the riot of colours underneath the drawing. ‘You’re very clever to do that.’
Daisy smiled. ‘Would you like it? I can do another one?’
‘Oh, I—’
‘Are you hungry?’ Sarah interrupted. ‘I’m going to make lunch soon.’
‘It’s fish fingers day!’ Daisy clapped her hands, the picture forgotten in her excitement.
‘It is.’ Sarah smiled and then moved to the door. ‘I won’t be a moment. Say goodbye to the lady.’
‘Bye.’ Daisy turned back to her colouring.
Once downstairs, with no sight of Richard, Juliette turned to Sarah.
‘Are you sure you’re both safe? I’m worried about you and I think you should leave.’
‘I can’t. Richard will smooth talk anyone who interferes and then I get punished for it,’ she said.
‘I have to get the evidence.’ Sarah looked up at her.
‘I want to go, but I can’t leave Daisy. Besides, I’d have to flee the country so he couldn’t find me and he’s taken my passport.
And Daisy isn’t my daughter so I don’t have one for her. ’
Juliette had to admit that the child seemed content and in no particular danger. She didn’t appear to be coming to any harm, so for now she would bide her time.
She would give Sarah a fortnight, until Richard went out for the day again, to search out the information she needed to find Louisa and then she could decide when to go to the police.
And until then she wasn’t telling a soul, not even Danny.