Page 121 of The Jealous Girl

Janine shrugged as she turned to face him. ‘Well, we all know she’s not capable of doing that.’ She turned back to me. ‘You’re just lucky you have us to support you.’

I lowered my gaze to the floor. She was right. It’s not as though driving all the way down to Dorset was something they would have wanted to do. But they had, because of me.

‘Though, I was surprised when Charlotte told us Ryan had broken up with you. Your dad and I didn’t even know you two had got back together.’

‘Why didn’t you tell us, love?’ Dad asked.

‘It only happened recently,’ I said feebly, as though that was the reason.

‘Well, it all made sense once we knew it was him, didn’t it?’ she asked, giving Dad a nudge.

‘Hmm,’ he murmured noncommittally.

‘You’ve always been a little bit infatuated with him.’

‘I wasn’t infatuated.’

‘It happens to the best of us,’ Janine said, waving her hand. ‘First loves always send us a bit crazy.’

‘Kirsty’s not crazy, she’s—’ Ben began.

‘It was really kind of Charlotte to call and let us know what was going on in your life,’ Janine said, cutting him off. ‘Especially after you completely terrified the poor girl, Kirsty.’

‘I did what?’

‘She said you’d been interfering in her relationship, trying to turn her boyfriend against her, stalking her⁠—’

‘Wait, what?’ Ben stared at me. ‘You stalked her?’

‘On social media,’ I said quickly.

It wasn’t a lie. But the words stuck in my throat anyway. It wasn’t the full truth.

I saw Ben’s expression shift. Apprehension lingering beneath the surface.

Had he realised that I was holding back?

‘And now that lovely girl is dead.’ Janine shook her head. ‘It’s so tragic.’

I didn’t say anything. To me, it wasn’t tragic. It was a reprieve.

‘What happened to her?’ Dad asked.

‘She had a riding accident.’

‘An accident?’ Janine repeated doubtfully.

‘Yes,’ I replied firmly.

‘Then why are you at a police station? Why are we?’

‘They’re just piecing together her movements that day.’

‘Movements that include you?’

‘I saw her, yes.’

‘Just saw her?’