Page 60 of The Last One to See Him

‘She said she had an emergency and I told her I’d be okay. I said you’d be back soon.’

‘Weren’t you scared?’

‘Mum, I’m ten! Nearly in Year 6.’

‘Come here.’ There’s panic in Harper’s voice that Kate’s never heard before – she almost sounds like a different person. ‘Promise me you’ll get someone to call me if anything like this happens again. Not that I’m leaving you again. I’m never leaving you again.’

‘Mum, I’m fine,’ Dexter insists.

Harper walks back into the kitchen, shutting the door. ‘Looking for these?’ she says, reaching into her pocket. She crosses to Kate and slips something into her hand. Two miniature cameras.

Kate stares at them. How is this possible? She grabs them from Harper and shoves them in her pocket. ‘I…I wanted to make sure Thomas is safe when he comes here. I’ll do what I have to, to protect my son. But you need to stop all of this, Harper. Before someone gets hurt.’

‘Like Jamie, you mean? I’ll take my chances. You know, Kate, there are consequences of our actions, and sooner or later we all have to face them.’

‘Is that why Jamie’s dead? Was it a consequence of his actions?’

‘Why don’t you tell me, Kate?’

‘Jamie’s death was nothing to do with me.’

‘But you slept with him.’

Harper knows, there’s no point denying it. ‘So it was you who gave that photo to that podcaster. I had nothing to do with Jamie’s murder. And you weren’t even married. You’ve been lying to everyone.’

‘You’re talking about a little piece of paper that doesn’t mean anything,’ Harper says. ‘Jamie and I were bound by something much more important than a pointless marriage certificate. We have our son.’

‘Jamie was telling me the truth, wasn’t he? When he said you were separated. What about that wedding photo in your living room?’

‘Easy to fake online. Can’t believe anything you see these days.’

Kate is rooted to the spot, unable to find any words in response to Harper’s admission, which confirms what Kate already suspected.

Harper smiles. ‘You really fell for every word, didn’t you? I can assure you that Jamie and I were very much together. What else did he say to get you into his bed?’

‘I’ll find a way to prove that you killed him,’ Kate hisses. ‘Don’t fuck with me.’

‘You do know I’ll never let that happen?’ Harper moves closer to Kate, forcing her to shrink back. ‘Don’t you ever get sick of all the lies you tell?’

Kate pulls herself straighter. ‘Don’tyou? You need help, Harper.’

‘Just doing what it takes to protect my son.’

‘And so am I,’ Kate snarls. ‘You’ll never win this, Harper. I’ve got truth on my side, that’s all that matters.’

Dex barges into the room. ‘Need some water,’ he says.

‘Bye, Kate,’ Harper says. ‘Thanks for stopping by. So thoughtful of you to check up on us.’

‘Can Thomas come over, Mum?’ Dex begs.

Harper raises her chin and glances at Kate. ‘Yes, of course. Any time. I’m sure Kate will ask him when she gets home. We’re free tomorrow after school.’ She doesn’t give Kate a chance to respond. ‘I’ll see you out.’

At the front door, Harper shakes her head. ‘Pull a stunt like this again and I’ll make sure Thomas knows just what kind of mother he’s got. Does he know about your past? Maybe it’s about time he did.’

Driving home, Kate sees Aleena and Theo walking their dog. Screeching to a halt as they turn into their road, she jumps out of the car and rushes over to them. ‘Can we talk?’

Aleena glances at her son then instructs him to go to the house. ‘Dad’s there,’ she says. As soon as he’s out of earshot, Aleena turns on her. ‘What are you doing here?’

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