Chapter 62
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
The next evening, after a nap, Juliette came downstairs just before seven. In the kitchen, Danny was looking at two bottles of wine, deciding which one to take next door.
‘Oh, you’re ready on time!’ he exclaimed with a snarky grin.
Juliette slapped his arm playfully. ‘Don’t be cheeky. It’s usually me who’s waiting for you when we go out.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘A bit better.’ She’d been nauseous for most of the afternoon, but she couldn’t tell him why. Even now she was trying not to show how nervous she felt.
‘You seem a bit peaky.’
‘I didn’t have much of a rest, that was for sure.’ She yawned.
‘We don’t have to stay long, do we?’
‘I’ll let you know if my head droops in the dessert.’ Juliette smiled. She followed him out, her hand in his as they walked round to their neighbours’ home.
Richard was at the side gate before they had reached the back door.
‘Welcome,’ he cried. ‘Come on through. Aren’t we lucky that the weather is good again?’
Danny handed the bottle of wine to Richard and he took it from him.
‘Thanks, not my usual tipple but it will do.’
Danny threw a look at Juliette, but she ushered him inside.
They noticed the atmosphere as soon as they entered the kitchen. Sarah was at the oven. She turned around as soon as she heard them, her cheeks flushed.
‘Hi!’ Her voice was too high, her smile too wide. ‘Do help yourself to nibbles while I finish off here.’
Juliette took the chair that Richard had pulled out at the table for her and sat down opposite Danny. He gave her the glare, the one that said, have we walked into an argument? She shrugged a shoulder discreetly in response.
‘How are your last few days at work going?’ Richard sat next to Danny, handing him a bottle of lager. ‘Is it next week you’re moving here for good?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Danny nodded. ‘I can’t wait, to be honest. Everything is tied up in London now.’
‘Here’s to new beginnings.’ Richard held out his bottle for Danny to clink.
While the men chatted, Juliette helped Sarah with the food.
‘Everything good?’ she whispered.
Sarah nodded slightly. ‘I can manage here, thanks. You sit yourself down again. I’m dishing out now.’
‘If you’re sure.’ At the table, Juliette took a sip of the orange juice she’d been given.
Sarah popped plates in front of them and sat down too.
‘Enjoy,’ she said.
The small talk dried up halfway through the main meal. It was excruciating sitting there. Sarah was timid, almost to the point of not contributing to any conversation, which made matters worse.
‘That was delicious,’ Juliette remarked, putting down her knife and fork.
‘I thought so too.’ Danny wiped his mouth with a napkin. ‘Was it your own recipe, Sarah?’
‘Of course not.’ Richard shook his head. ‘She’s not that talented.’
Richard had moved on to the wine and as he reached for the bottle to top up his glass, Juliette could already hear a slur in his voice. He’d been knocking it back quickly, the rest of them refusing top-ups.
She glanced at Sarah, but she wouldn’t catch her eye. When she looked again, Richard was leering at her.
‘You think you’re so smart, don’t you?’ he sneered.
Juliette froze, hoping not to show any guilt. ‘Sorry?’
‘Anyone for pudding?’ Sarah shot to her feet and reached for Juliette’s plate.
‘Sit down!’ Richard roared.
Sarah did as she was told.
‘Steady on, mate,’ Danny said. ‘Is something wrong? You’ve been a bit off since we got here.’
‘Why don’t you ask your wife?’ Richard replied. ‘She’s been snooping, asking people lots of questions about me.’
Both men stared at her. Juliette dropped her eyes.
‘That’s not very neighbourly of you,’ Richard added.
‘Oh, I—’
‘You could have asked if there was anything you wanted to know. I haven’t heard from Louisa in a good while but I spoke to her a few months ago. She put Daisy on the phone to me and it was good to hear her voice.’
‘Who’s Louisa?’ Danny asked.
‘My ex-wife.’
‘That’s great,’ Juliette said, not giving Danny the chance to reply. ‘Are you meeting up with them soon?’
‘I don’t think so.’ Richard looked at Danny and rolled his eyes. ‘The reason we split up was because Louisa was having an affair. Daisy was a result of it. She isn’t my daughter.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Juliette said.
‘So whatever crap Sarah has been feeding you with’ – Richard switched his gaze back to Juliette – ‘it’s all lies.’
Juliette sat still. Had he found out that she’d been to see anyone? Had Sarah told him, and if so, had he hurt her to get the information?
‘I suggest from now on you keep your nose out of my business,’ Richard went on.
Juliette held Richard’s stare. She wasn’t standing for that, no matter how much danger Sarah might be in if she spoke out.
‘I’ve seen her,’ she said.
‘Not this again,’ Danny sighed loudly.
‘I’ve seen her!’ Juliette repeated.
Richard’s eyes narrowed. He reached across the table, grabbing Sarah’s arm.
‘What have you been up to?’ he demanded.
‘Hey, now,’ Danny started but Richard held up a hand for him to stop. ‘What’s going on?’
But Richard kept staring at Sarah. Then he laughed.
‘You don’t really think we keep Daisy locked up in a room, do you?’ He clicked his fingers at Sarah. ‘You, come with me now.’
‘Where are you going?’ Juliette glanced at Sarah, seeing the look of panic on her face.
‘We’ll be back in a minute,’ Richard said.
As she followed Richard out of the room, Danny rounded on Juliette.
‘What the hell is going on?’