‘Come to think of it, neither can Scarlett,’ I say.
‘I’m really sorry,’ Scarlett whispers.
Teri turns to me and lowers her voice. ‘Okay. If that’s the case, maybe we shouldn’t get the police involved.’
My heart skips a beat. ‘The police?’
Holly makes a sound behind me, like a wounded animal.
Suddenly, I can’t breathe. I didn’t think of that, but yes, the police would get involved. There was an accident. That’s how these things work, isn’t it?
‘Kate, please…’ Holly pleads.
And all I can think is,can we be talking to the police right now? Would that be a really big coincidence if I reported Max missing later? Would they think it odd I hadn’t mentioned it in this first interaction?
I have no idea. I can’t think straight.
‘Please don’t…’ Holly mouths.
‘So…no one called the police?’ I ask.
‘That’s right,’ Teri says. ‘Because no one died. Can we please get on now?’
My chest hurts. My head is swimming. I’m going to be sick.
Finally, I say, ‘Maybe we can call them later.’
‘Exactly,’ Teri says. ‘Can we go, please? I’m dying to put this foot up.’
I look at Scarlett’s car. ‘Scarlett, are your parents home?’
She shakes her head. ‘They went out for the day. They won’t be home until later.’
‘Okay.’ I close my eyes, my hand over my forehead. I’m feeling a major headache coming on. ‘Okay. Scarlett, you’ll come home with us. Get in the front with me. Holly, you get in the back with Teri. She’ll have to prop her leg on your lap, okay?’
‘What about my car?’ Scarlett asks.
‘Once everyone is settled and feeling better, I’ll drive you back here and take you home in your car. Then I’ll walk back to my own. You’re only around the corner.’ And I tell myself that, at least, is true. They only drove around the corner, onto a quiet street.
Barely any distance, but a lot of trouble I do not need.
13
I just about push the girls into the car and drive home. Scarlett is crying silently, her face set. Holly is outright sobbing, while Teri chats to her about playing the piano, like everything is perfectly normal. I glance in the mirror. Holly’s face is scrunched up. She gives one-word answers in between shuddering sobs. It’s bordering on surreal.
I don’t say a word. I just bite my bottom lip trying to figure out the best way forward. Occasionally, I glance at Scarlett, trying to gauge if she’s okay because it has occurred to me that I haven’t had a chance to take a proper look at her. But neither of the girls look like they sustained any serious physical injuries.
Back home, I settle Teri on the sofa and prop her leg up with cushions. ‘Can you get me some ice, Holly? And wrap it in a tea towel?’
Both girls attend to the task. Scarlett brings the tea towel, and I press it against Teri’s ankle. She winces.
‘How does it feel?’ I ask.
‘Fine.’
‘You don’t look fine.’
‘I just need a minute.’
