‘Did you manage to get everything I asked? Did I ask for too much?’ Teri says when I walk in. I study her face. Is this the face of someone who has found a dead body in the garage? I don’t think so.
‘Not at all,’ I say.
She peers inside the shopping bags. I shove the right one in her direction, and the one with the drill under the table.
‘Perfect,’ she says. ‘Now let me pour you and me a glass of wine, because you look like you need it, and I know I do, and later I’ll cook for you the best meal you’ve ever tasted.’
I carry the bag with the lock and the drill into the garage. Then Holly gets home, looking sad and tired. I spend a bit of time with her upstairs, assuring her that everything will be all right and that she just has to be patient.
But then later, over a glass of wine, Teri says, ‘I think I will get an X-ray after all.’
‘Really? Why?’
She grimaces. ‘I’m still in a lot of pain. I think Holly did more damage than I’d realised.’
I was holding my glass halfway to my lips, and I stop, mid-air.
Teri looks down at her foot. ‘It’s not her fault, of course.’
I just stare at her. I mean, it is Holly’s fault. There’s no doubt about that. But I wish she wouldn’t bring it up like that. I wish she’d make up her mind.Is it Holly’s fault or yours?
But I don’t say that. And I must have been quiet for a while because she looks up, frowning, and her face falls. ‘Oh, no. I’ve upset you.’
I shake my head. ‘It’s fine.’
‘I’m so sorry. I just feel really stupid about everything, and being here, and I can’t walk properly…’ She grimaces. ‘Do you think I could…?’
My chest tightens. ‘What, Teri?’
‘Stay here for another day or two? It’s just that my place…’
I can feel myself breathing hard. ‘It’s not really practical.’
‘I know. God, I know!’ She reaches for my hand. ‘But think about it. Max is away, you’re really busy and tired – no, don’t argue. Anyone can see that. I can cook for you both. I love cooking. That will be one thing you won’t have to worry about. Please, Kate?’
I rub my hand over my forehead. ‘It’s really not very practical. I’m sorry.’
‘I won’t tell them,’ she says.
‘Tell who?’
‘The people at the hospital. I won’t tell them what Holly did, I promise. Cross my heart.’
I am so confused. Why does she feel the need to repeat this? ‘I know,’ I say finally. ‘You’ve said that before.’
‘Exactly. So is it all right if I stay?’ She tilts her head and looks at me with those puppy eyes. ‘Just a couple of more days? I’ll be all right by then. And like I said, no one needs to know. Not the hospital, not the police, and certainly not Max.’
My chest heaves. Why is she doing this? Is it some kind of veiled threat? I can’t even tell anymore. I’m losing my mind. If I say no, will she be upset? Will she get an X-ray and tell them what happened? Will the police show up on my doorstep and interview Holly? Will they interview Scarlett? Scarlett’s parents? Will someone ask, ‘Where’s Holly’s father?’
She waits for me to say something. Well, at least I got a lock for the freezer. ‘Fine,’ I say, trying to sound like a good hostess and probably failing. ‘Stay a couple of days.’
‘Thank you,’ she says, breathing out.
I knock back my glass of wine. ‘Do you want me to grab your toothbrush from next door? And whatever else you might need? Change of underwear?’
‘No, no need. I already did.’
I raise an eyebrow. ‘Enough for two days?’
