It was her mobile phone. She’d been talking to Darren.
My heart sank. Ofcourseshe had. Why hadn’t I thoughtof that? Darren knew I’d persuaded her to leave him, so he’d have been puttingpressure on her to return.
‘Rachel? Can I have a quick word?’
She nodded, looking puzzled, and I indicated for her tofollow me into the living room.
I jumped straight in. ‘Is Darren trying to persuade you togo back?’
‘What?’ She adopted an innocent look. ‘Why would you thinkthat?’
‘Because you’ve been talking to him.’ I nodded at her pocket.
She swallowed and looked down. ‘I... justturned on my phone to talk to Mum. That was all. I never meant to speak toDarren. But he’d left so many voice messages, I was shocked. So I listened tothem, expecting him to be really furious that we’d left, but he wasn’t.’ Shelooked up at me, pleading with me to understand. ‘Every single message wasabout how he understood why I left and that he needed to get help for hisanger. He was begging my forgiveness for what he did. Begging me to give himanother chance.’
I sigh. ‘Yes, but Rachel, love, hasn’t he said that so manytimes before? Do you honestly believe that if you went back to Darren, it wouldbe different this time? He was supposed to be getting counselling for hisanger, but that never happened, did it?’
‘Well, no. But this time, he’s really serious. He told methe counsellor’s name and he even asked me if I would go with him to hissessions.’
I gazed at the hope on her face, not knowing what to say. Ididn’t believe a word of Darren’s promises. He was using his easy lies and persuasivecharm to get what he wanted.
And it looked as if Rachel was falling for his lies all overagain.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
After breakfast, Rachel said she was going up to herroom to have a lie-down.
I watched her go, knowing she’d be on the phone to Darren.
I sank down on the sofa, exhausted. I had a nasty feeling we’dbe going back to Torminster today. If I tried to force Rachel’s hand, I’d onlyalienate her. I was terrified for her and Poppy, but it had to be her decisionto leave Darren. Hers and hers alone.
Poppy wandered into the living room and sat down beside mewith a sigh.
‘How are you, poppet?’
She hugged Jemima tightly. ‘Mummy wants to go back home.’
‘But you don’t?’
She shook her head. ‘I want to live with you, Auntie Enzie.Can I come and live with you?’
‘Oh, Poppy. Why is life so complicated?’ I put my arm aroundher and pulled her into a hug.
‘What’s compli-tated?’
I smiled. ‘It’s when life doesn’t go the way you wish itwould.’
‘Auntie Enzie?’
‘Yes, love?’
‘Why doesn’t Uncle Darren like me?’
I swallowed hard. ‘Oh, love.’ I kissed the top of her head.She was frowning as if she was trying so hard to work it out. What on earthcould I say?
‘It’s not that he doesn’t like you, my darling. Uncle Darren...well, he’s just the sort of person who doesn’t seem to like anyone very much.’
She stared up at me with those wide, trusting brown eyes.‘Sometimes he doesn’t like Mummy, either.’
