Page 47 of The Psychopath Next Door

‘What’s the problem?’

‘Rose told me she saw a man die in the park on Friday. Anaphylactic shock.’

Fiona let that sink in. So Rose hadn’t kept the whole secret. But was thatallshe’d said? Should she expect the flash of blue lights next, the wail of sirens? Was she going to have to make a quick getaway? Would Ethan try to stop her? Her eyes flicked towards the block of knives on the counter.

‘Is it true?’ Ethan was asking.

She cleared her throat. ‘Ah. Yes. In Brockwell Park.’ Time to bring out the actress. Act concerned. Use the soft voice. Bematernal, not sexy. She pulled the robe tighter around her upper half. ‘How is she doing?’

‘She seems fine. But the thing is, I only know about it because I found her re-enacting it with her Barbies. Why didn’t you tell me or Emma?’

‘I was going to talk to you tomorrow when I picked Rose up.’

‘You didn’t think it was important enough to inform us straight away?’

This was interesting. He wasn’t flirting with her now. His only concern seemed to be his daughter’s well-being. ‘I had to visit an old friend in Shropshire. Anyway, I assumed Rose would tell you, and that if you had any questions you’d come round, like you are now, or phone me. What exactly did Rose say?’

He spelled it out and Fiona inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. There was no hint that she’d revealed where the cookies had come from.

‘I looked it up online,’ Ethan said. ‘It was in the south London papers. It says police are looking for witnesses. Did you speak to them already?’

She considered saying yes but wasn’t sure what follow-up questions he might have. But what if he contacted the police himself, volunteering his daughter as a witness? She really didn’t want that to happen.

‘No. I didn’t realise they needed witnesses because it was obviously an unfortunate accident. I’ll call them tomorrow. Do you ... want me to mention Rose? It might be quite distressing for her, having to talk to the police about it.’

Now he seemed unsure. ‘I don’t know. Can you tell me what happened from your point of view?’

She parroted what he’d said back to him. Rose’s version of the story. No mention of Rose giving Max the cookies. Being careful not to use Max’s name or give away that she knew him.

‘How did you know he died of anaphylactic shock? How did you recognise it?’

‘I told you I’m allergic myself, didn’t I? I’ve imagined it happening, watched loads of videos about it. I recognise it when I see it.’

‘And you couldn’t have helped him? With your own EpiPen, I mean?’

‘I left it at home. I know, I know: stupid. I’m terrible at remembering it. But I won’t forget it again, that’s for sure.’

‘Hmm.’ Ethan rubbed his face, a little confused. ‘Okay. Well, thankfully, Rose seems fine. At the moment, anyway. But if anything upsetting or serious happens again, will you please tell us right away?’

‘Of course. But I’m sure there won’t be a next time. Tomorrow we’ll just stay here and play chess. Zero drama guaranteed.’

She smiled at him, turning on her full beams, and she saw all the annoyance drop away. Once again, he was a rabbit caught in her headlights, blinking at her, confused and guilty.

‘Is everything all right otherwise?’ she asked, moving a little closer. ‘With you, I mean? You and Emma?’

‘I ...’ He was flustered. ‘Fiona, you won’t tell Emma I mentioned why we moved house, will you?’

‘Her affair?’

‘Emotional affair.’

‘Sorry, that’s what I meant. Of course not. My lips are sealed.’ She reached out and laid her hand on his arm. ‘But if you ever need to talk, you know where I am.’

‘Yes. Thank you.’

When she closed the front door behind him, the fake smile slipped from her lips. She headed back up to the bathroom for her shower.

Thank goodness Rose hadn’t told her parents the full story. Fiona hoped she hadn’t told her brother either.

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