Page 156 of Her Last Walk Home

‘Such a manipulative clique.’

She almost laughed at the irony. Charlie was so caught up in recounting her own genius, was she even aware of all she was revealing? Probably, and she didn’t care. That scared Lottie.

‘When did you realise Aneta was in Ireland?’

‘When I saw her at Cuan that day. I knew who she was instantly, and she knew me. It was like staring in a mirror. I couldn’t let her be free. I enjoyed beating her down, but she became a burden. She had to be replaced. It was ingenious on my part to take Laura from Diana. But that idiot Thomas lost the run of himself and killed her.’

‘What did John Morgan ever do to you?’

‘He started asking the wrong questions. Gordon couldn’t keep his mouth shut, asking him about Aneta when John was in Cuan. When Laura died, one thing led to another and John accused me of being involved. He went down like a ton of bricks.’

‘And you had the perfect alibi. Us finding the body while you were present.’

‘Worked like a dream. For a while.’

Lottie could see Charlie was itching to ask how they’d eventually found her, but she wasn’t going to reveal it. The little boy, Rex, who’d once lived in the rectory, had to be kept safe, and she had no idea where Charlie would end up. Hopefully she’d be in prison for a long, long time. But who knew what manipulation and coercion the woman could wield from behind bars. And that terrified Lottie more than the dark demon eyes staring across the table at her.

110

A FEW WEEKS LATER

It was Valentine’s night and Lottie had her family all under the same roof, for one evening at least. Dinner had been a success, with no arguments between Katie and Chloe. They appeared not to be talking to each other anyhow. Sean had agreed that Sergio could sleep on a fold-out bed in his room. Won’t be much sleep there, Lottie thought, but at least the noise-cancelling headphones were doing the trick.

She had stripped her bed again, because she thought it smelled of smoke even weeks later, and stuffed the linen in a pillowcase for the launderette. No way had she the energy for washing, drying and ironing. She missed Rose for all that. The old Rose. They used to fight and argue, but Lottie discovered that she missed her. Was the real Rose in there any more? She looked at her knitting at the kitchen table. Her head bowed, concentrating on each laborious stitch. Gone were the days when her fingers would fly with mesmerising speed of wool and needles, while she simultaneously read the newspaper. It was all so sad.

As she climbed the stairs, a set of fresh sheets and pillowcases under her arm, she regretted not having cherishedher mother more. With each step she resolved to make more time for her going forward.

Katie followed her up. ‘Need help?’

‘Sure.’

As they tucked the sheet under the mattress, Katie said, ‘I’m sorry, Mam, for being so bitchy.’

‘I just worry about you. I hope Greg is now banished from the scene.’

‘Uhm, not really. I’m meeting him for dinner next weekend.’

Lottie paused, pillowcase in hand, trying not to let her jaw drop. ‘Is that wise? You know he is being investigated by our vice unit.’

‘Probably not wise, but I like him. He’s been shattered by Cathy’s duplicity and he’s abandoning the dating and escort side of his business. Wants to concentrate solely on his photography. So he says.’

‘So he says?’ Lottie raised an eyebrow.

‘Yeah, I know, but he’s kind of cute and he likes Louis.’

‘He met Louis once, that I know of.’

‘That you know of.’ Katie winked.

Trying not to show her exasperation, Lottie plumped up the pillow with extra force. ‘He’s a lot older than you too. And don’t forget he dated women using a false name.’

‘Not everyone is perfect.’

‘You’re right there.’ She’d have to relent. ‘Promise me you’ll be careful.’

‘Promise. Favour? Can you talk to Chloe for me? She thinks it’s a bad idea.’

‘Why don’tyoutalk to her?’

---