“That’s one interpretation,” Edwin says eventually.
“A hollow threat,” I say.
“Yeah, using Dad’s accident to try to frighten her,” Edwin says.
“Because we know it was an accident,” I say. “Don’t we?”
Danny turns his stew over and over with his fork. The air in the dining room seems to squeeze inward and then recede, as if Winterbourne itself is listening, considering.
“Of course,” Danny says. “We know that.”
Edwin sits back.
“Well then,” I say. “All this tells us is Laura knows something about Summerbourne, and someone wants to stop her talking about it.”
Edwin groans. “But not necessarily anything to do with us. Who knows what happened that year—it might be something to do with a friend, a boyfriend—nothing to do with our family, just something that happened while she was living in our house.”
“So why mention Dad then?” Danny asks.
“Exactly,” I say. “She knows something about us.”
Edwin gives me a sharp look. “No. If you won’t go to the police, then you have to drop this, Seraphine. I mean it. You mustn’t approach Laura again.”
I grind my teeth, and glance at Danny for backup, but Danny looks just as concerned as Edwin.
“I agree,” Danny says. “She told you herself to stay away from her. You’ve got to drop it, sis. Promise.”
I close my eyes and think about my father.Dominic Mayes is dead. And my mother.Your mother said you were the most beautiful baby she had ever seen.
When I blink them open, both my brothers are watching me with a familiar wariness. I sigh.
“I won’t approach Laura again—I promise.” I stand and grab my plate. “I’m shattered. Thanks for dinner. And Danny”—I scrunch up my face—“I’m sorry about spoiling your plans with Brooke. I’m going to bed.”
I scrape my uneaten stew into the waste disposal sink and slide my plate into the dishwasher before making my way up to the bedroom I always use at Winterbourne. Something continues to niggle at me. The stolen scrap of paper with Laura’s work address; the threatening letter sent to Laura’s work address—is the same person responsible for both?
The weight of the bedspread on my body comforts me despite the heat of the evening, and my breathing deepens and slows as I gaze at the faint cracks in the ceiling, familiar frommy childhood stays here. I promised my brothers I wouldn’t approach Laura again. A moth batters at the bedside lamp, and I reach out for the switch. But my fingers rest on my phone, and before I turn out the light, I do a quick Internet search to find out how long it will take me to drive up to Leeds tomorrow. I promised my brothers I wouldn’t approach Laura again, but I didn’t say anything about Alex Kaimal.
10
Laura
September/October 1991
ITWASN’TMYfault.I tidied toys and washed dishes while Ruth got Edwin ready for bed that evening. Each time I heard a noise that might have been Dominic’s car approaching along the lane, my stomach lurched.It wasn’t our fault.But if I hadn’t let Edwin run ahead out of sight, if I hadn’t been so wrapped up in Alex’s company...
It was an accident. Dominic would understand that. I checked my watch again, and a familiar gravel crunch reached my ears.
“Daddy!” Edwin bounded down the stairs in his pajamas, launching himself into Dominic’s arms. From the kitchen doorway, I could barely make out the crust of blood that edged the plaster strips.
“What’s all this?”
“I cut it on the gate, Daddy. I got a lollipop.”
Ruth leaned against the wall a few steps up from the bottom, her arms crossed.
“Laura will tell you,” she said.
Dominic looked from her to me.
