Page 109 of The Psychopath Next Door

Here, in front of her, was the woman who had – and it didn’t matter if it had been unwitting – taken Maisie away from her forever.

And between them, not moving, playing her role perfectly – even if it was unrehearsed – was the girl who was to Fiona what Fiona had been to Maisie.

Emma stood with the little window behind her. Rain hammered the glass and the wind howled with a kind of madness, shaking the nearby trees. The shock that had frozen her in place since Fiona had grabbed her daughter had now thawed a little, allowing Emma to move.

‘Let her go.’

‘No, Emma. I want you to leave this room. We’ll be right behind you. If you do everything I say, I won’t hurt her. I’ll never hurt her. I promise you, after you’ve gone, she’ll be safe with— Ow!’

She cried out and pulled her arm away, staring in disbelief at her wrist – where Rose had bitten her. Bitten her! Rose darted away from both of them into the furthest corner. Fiona stayed by the door, blocking the exit.

Emma reached out towards her daughter. ‘Rose, come here.’

Rose didn’t move.

‘Rose!’ Emma commanded. ‘Come to me, now. I’ll protect you.’

Still, Rose remained motionless.

Fiona, recovering from the pain and surprise of the bite, said, ‘No, come to me, Rose. I wasn’t going to hurt you. I was just trying to get her to do what I asked.’

‘Rose,’ Emma said again. ‘Come here, to Mummy.’

Fiona laughed. ‘She doesn’twantto go to you, Emma. Like she keeps telling you, she’s not a baby anymore. Certainly not your baby. She’s something different. Something better.’

‘You’re insane.’

Emma tried to move towards Rose, but Fiona stepped forward, the knife held out. ‘Get back. Stay where you are.’

Emma had no choice but to obey.

‘Rose,’ Fiona began. ‘I know I should have explained everything to you before we came here, but I needed you to act natural. I promise, from now on, I’ll tell you everything, okay? We’ll do everything together.’

Emma sneered at her. ‘You’re out of your mind. Ethan’s not really interested inyou.’

‘Oh, he will be. Men are easy, Emma. I’ll help him mend his broken heart. And I’ll make sure to remind him about you and Mike.’

‘You’re deluded. Also, if you think Dylan would ever accept you, you’re not just deluded, you’re stupid.’

‘Well, a second child isn’t a vital part of the plan. Perhaps he needs to have a little accident too.’

Emma took half a step towards Fiona, who pushed forward the knife, compelling her to stop.

‘So that’s the plan?’ Emma said. ‘To take my place? How do you feel about that, Rose?’

They both looked at the girl.

She shrugged, then turned towards Emma. ‘I’m not like you. I’m different.’

‘That isn’t true, sweetheart. You’re going through changes, that’s all. Puberty.’ Emma attempted a laugh. ‘All teenage girls feel different.’

‘No. It’s more than that.’ Rose paused, looking thoughtful. ‘And I think you must have always known it, deep down.’

‘What are you talking about? Rosie ...’

‘Don’t call me that!’

‘Sorry. I—’

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