Page 29 of The Last One to See Him

Just as the head teacher Mrs Finnigan pulls out her keys, Kate sees Harper and Dex rushing towards the gates – Harper in Adidas leggings and trainers, her long hair tied back in a ponytail that swings as she runs. At the gate, she stops and says something to the head, then watches Dex as he races in.

When Harper turns and walks towards the park, Kate is confident that she must be going home via the shortcut through the park. Kate follows.

Harper walks fast, never once looking behind, and when she reaches her front door and pulls her keys from her bag, Kate calls out to her. ‘Wait!’

Harper turns around and there’s a flicker of shock in her eyes before she smiles. ‘Kate! This is a surprise. What are you doing here?’

‘Can we talk?’

Harper’s brief hesitation is barely perceptible, but Kate is tuned in to every detail. ‘Of course. Come in. I’m sorry the house is a bit of a mess. We both overslept this morning so Dex was late for school. Thankfully Mrs Finnigan was very kind about it. She knows how hard things are for Dexter right now.’ Harper sighs. ‘For both of us.’

Taking a deep breath, Kate follows her inside, forcing away panic when Harper closes the door. Kate has no idea who this woman is, or what she’s capable of, but clearly that photo, the dead flowers, and that calendar entry were all sent as a warning.

‘Can I take your coat?’ Harper offers, hanging her own on a coat hook.

‘I’ll leave it on. I won’t be staying long.’

Harper’s eyes widen. ‘Okay. Come through – I’m gasping for a coffee. Would you like one?’

‘When’s Jamie’s birthday?’

Harper stares at her. ‘What? Why are you asking me that?’

‘When is it?’

‘It was actually yesterday. Or it should have been. Why do you want to know? Has something happened?’

Kate follows Harper into the kitchen.

‘Sorry, Kate, but you just seem a bit…I don’t know. Off? Have I done something? You haven’t replied to any of my messages.’

Kate reaches into her bag and pulls out the envelope, a flash of heat exploding in her body. ‘I found this in Thomas’s school bag yesterday.’ She hands it to Harper.

Harper’s fingers barely grasp it as Kate pushes it into her hand. ‘What is it?’

‘Open it.’

Harper frowns, staring at the envelope. ‘This is for Thomas. What is this about, Kate? I don’t understand. And I have to be honest, you’re starting to freak me out.’

‘Just open it,’ Kate repeats, trying to remain calm.

Finally, Harper pulls out the picture of Jamie. Kate watches her face, unreadable as always. Harper stares at it for a moment, then tuns to Kate. ‘Why have you got this picture?’

‘Someone put it in Thomas’s bag, addressed to him. Was it you?’

Her mouth hangs open. ‘Why would I do that? This is a picture of my dead husband!’

‘I know that.’

Something passes across Harper’s face. ‘Then I’ll repeat my question. Why would I put that in your son’s bag?’

‘You tell me!’

‘I don’t know anything about this. It’s absurd! Why on earth would I do this? And why are you asking about Jamie’s birthday?’ Harper stares at the picture again, then clutches it to her chest. ‘My Jamie.’ But not a single tear falls from her eyes. ‘Is this why you’ve been ignoring my calls and messages?’

‘There’s no one else it could be,’ Kate says, but she’s wavering, less certain now. Harper looks so distraught – what if Kate’s got this wrong? ‘And you sent me dead flowers. Lilies, like the ones in your living room. You’ve been in my house too. Writing on my calendar – I know it was you. There’s no one else it could have been!’ Her eyes narrow. ‘I won’t let this lie, Harper.’

Harper shakes her head. ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I think you should go.’

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