Page 35 of The Last One to See Him

Kate stands outside Maddy’s apartment, anger and determination strengthening her resolve to put a stop to Harper. She rings the doorbell and scans the road, just in case Harper is watching her.

At the school this morning, Kate had walked right past Harper when she’d dropped Thomas off. Their eyes had locked, neither of them looking away until they’d walked past each other. Harper will never let this go – it will be a fight to the end. Graham White’s face forces its way into her head. Ultimately, he lost, and Harper will too. Kate will do whatever is necessary.

Maddy answers the door, wearing a trouser suit and dark purple blouse. ‘I can’t be long,’ she says. ‘I’m due at work in just over an hour.’

‘This won’t take long,’ Kate says, though the truth is she has no idea how long it will take to convince Maddy.

Inside, Maddy’s flat is clean and bright, with a long corridor leading to the kitchen. Kate follows her into it, trying to picture Ellis here.

‘I know why you’re here,’ Maddy says, flicking on the kettle. ‘And I should have saved you the bother. I’m not changing my mind about Ellis. What makes it even worse is that he obviously went straight to you and told you I’d left him. That alone shows me I’ve done the right thing.’ She blinks away tears.

‘It wasn’t me who called you, Maddy. I swear to you.’

‘What are you talking about? I thought you were just saying that in your text to get me to see you.’

‘No – it’s the truth. I did not call you.’

Maddy stares at her, frowning.

‘But I think I know who did. What number did the call come from?’

Maddy takes her phone from the kitchen worktop and scrolls through it. ‘It was a landline. Local number. Here.’ She shows the phone to Kate.’

‘Can I call it?’

‘Why? What the hell’s going on, Kate?’

‘Just humour me.’

‘Fine.’ Maddy hands Kate the phone.

Dialling the number, Kate puts it on speaker. It rings three time before someone answers.

‘Good morning, Lucio’s. How can I help you?’

‘Sorry, wrong number.’ Kate hangs up and turns to Maddy. ‘That’s the coffee shop near Thomas’s school.’

‘I don’t get it.’

‘Do you remember that woman who was at my house when you dropped off Thomas’s homework book the other day?’

Maddy nods. ‘Yeah. What about her?’

‘She’s been…doing some stuff. Stalking me is the best way I can describe it. She’s trying to mess with my life.’

‘But why would she do that? Your sons are friends.’

‘She’s disturbed, Maddy. That’s all I know. But she must have called you and pretended to be me so she could mess with your head. She wanted you to leave Ellis.’

‘But why would she do that? My relationship with Ellis doesn’t affect you now.’

‘No, but maybe she wanted to turn Ellis against me. And she was right – he wasn’t happy when he confronted me about it. I’ve never seen him that angry.’

‘I’m surprised,’ Maddy says, folding her arms. ‘You’re the one he really wants to be with – not me.’

‘That’s not true,’ Kate says.

‘Isn’t it? I think you know the truth, Kate.’

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