‘Is she all right?’
‘Yes. She’s fine. But if anything happens to me, will you take care of her?’
‘Why? What’s happened?’
‘Max is not going to be around anymore.’
‘Oh no, Kate. Did you break up?’
She sounds genuinely sorry for me, even though she couldn’t stand him.
‘I can’t tell you anything right now. But do you promise me that she can live with you if anything happens to me? Just until she’s eighteen and can get set up on her own?’
‘My God, Kate, you’re scaring me!’
‘Please promise me, Jen.’
‘Of course. Yes. But won’t Max?—’
‘He won’t. Can I count on you?’
‘But I don’t understand. What would happen to you?’
‘I just need you to promise me.’
‘But you’re not?—’
‘Going to do anything stupid? No. It’s nothing like that.’
‘I promise,’ she says finally. ‘If anything happens to you, I will take care of Holly. I promise.’
After we end the call, I call Max’s mobile and leave a message that I am really concerned now, and I’ve done everything I can to manage his work, I’ve bought him time, but if I don’t hear from him tonight, I will report him missing.
I go downstairs to the garage and put aside all the tins and boxes from the top of the freezer. Then I reach for my gloves, put them on and grab the key from the shelf.
I stare at the freezer for a moment, steeling myself, before removing the lock.
Then I take a deep breath…and lift the lid.
39
The next morning, I call Holly’s school and let them know that she is sick. Holly isn’t sick, but we have agreed that she will go to Teri’s house to delete the video – and frankly, we don’t have much time.
We’ve also decided to put on a little performance for Teri’s benefit, so she’ll be even more welcoming to Holly when she knocks on her front door.
I leave for work, as normal, but just before closing the door, I say, very loudly, ‘No! Holly! You cannot go to Teri’s house! If you’re not feeling well, you have to stay at home! That’s how it works!’
‘I hate you!’ Holly shouts from the front step, with a little too much conviction if I’m being honest. But then I remind myself that she does drama, and she’s very good.
‘I forbid it!’ I shout.
‘You’re not my mother!’ she cries, before slamming the door.
I catch movement in my peripheral vision. Like a curtain moving at Teri’s house.
Perfect.
In the car, I text Holly,If anything goes wrong, call me immediately.
