Page 77 of The Last One to See Him

Kate realises that they’ll never be able to trust each other, but she clings on to the hope that because Harper is a mother, just like her, they have a common bond that might pull them together. The fire has already changed things between them.

‘You need to get out of here,’ Harper continues, gesturing around the room. ‘I don’t trust him.’ She draws in breath. ‘You and Thomas could stay with me. There’s enough space.’

‘No.’ The words instinctively shoot from Kate’s mouth. ‘I have to be here. If I’m here then Ellis won’t hurt me – like you said, it’s what he wants. Plus, I’m still convinced this is something to do with Graham White – it has to be.’ Even though Kate hasn’t found any connection, and neither could Faye before she died.

‘Jamie had no connection to that man,’ Harper says. ‘I’ve been through his things and there’s nothing.’

‘That we know of. But Faye was looking into it – maybe she found something?’

‘We’ll never know now.’ Harper sighs. ‘I liked her. She didn’t deserve to be caught up in any of this. Whatever it is.’ She looks at Kate, her eyes narrowing. ‘Your friend Mona tells a different story about what happened with Graham White.’

‘I’m not explaining or defending myself again,’ Kate says. ‘I had to do it back then and I won’t now. Believe me or don’t. Either is fine with me.’

‘Just keep your son safe,’ Harper says. ‘And yourself. I’ve done this already, but I’m going to check out those three women Jamie was involved with at that gym. I don’t think I’ll find anything. He’d cut ties with them all months ago – I could tell from the messages begging him to contact them or asking about their investments. I’m surprised none of them went to the police. I figured it’s because they were ashamed and embarrassed. Anyway, Jamie had told me before Dex was born that he’d stop what he was doing but I’m not convinced he did until we moved to Wimbledon. I think he really did stop then, around the time I found that photo of you. That’s why I was convinced about your affair. Because he’d finally stopped conning those women, and you were different. Everything pointed to you meaning something different to him.’ Harper lets that thought hang in the air.

‘I’m going to pay Mona a visit. It’s a long time overdue.’

‘Why?’ Harper asks. ‘I know you think this is tied to your past, but there’s nothing to prove that.’

‘Maybe not. But Mona and I have unfinished business. Do you have her address?’

‘She wouldn’t give it to me. We had to meet in public. I’ve got her number, though.’

Kate will have to find another way. ‘No, she won’t speak to me on the phone.’ She walks to the living room door, hoping Harper acknowledges the signal to leave.

Evelyn Shaw stares at Kate as if she’s an apparition. Mona’s mother always had a stern face, but now it’s lined with the deep trenches of age she looks even fiercer. ‘What areyoudoing here?’

‘I need to see Mona.’

‘No. You’ve done enough to my daughter. You’re the reason kids were spreading lies about her at school. Making sure she had to change schools. And you just walked away from it all.’

‘I didn’t do anything to Mona. I never said a word about her.’

‘Well, all those rumours started about her because of you. What you did to that man.’ She spits her words, looking at Kate with disgust and loathing. ‘I’m not giving you her address.’

‘Please, Mrs Shaw. Things have been happening to me and…I think it’s to do with Graham White.’

‘The man you killed.’

Kate forces a deep breath. ‘Please. I just need to talk to Mona. Someone set fire to my house last night while my son and I were sleeping. We could both be dead. He’s ten years old!’

Evelyn’s face softens as she takes in this information. ‘Well…that’s awful. But what’s that got to do with Mona? I hope you’re not trying to suggest?—’

‘No! Course not. I just need to talk to her about what happened. I think it’s related to this. It has to be.’

With a heavy sigh, Evelyn takes her phone from her pocket and taps her passcode into it. She places it on the hall table and steps back. ‘Well, it’s not my fault if you find my phone and scroll through it, is it?’ And then she leaves Kate alone and disappears into the living room.

‘Hello, Mona.’

Mona spins around, her eyes popping as she registers that it’s Kate standing behind her. Kate has turned up at Mona’s house at precisely the moment Mona was putting her key in the door.

‘What the…? Go away, Kate. I’ve got nothing to say to you.’ Mona scrambles with her key, but it jams in the lock, giving Kate time to grab the keys from her.

‘I’ve been trying to call you. I’m sure you got all my messages. We need to talk. It’s a long time overdue.’

Mona tries to grab her keys back, but Kate is too fast. ‘How did you find me?’

‘It doesn’t matter. And believe me, I wouldn’t be here unless I had no choice. Now, let me in. I’m at breaking point, Mona, and who knows what I’ll be capable of.’ She dangles Mona’s keys, and after a moment, Mona grabs them and opens the door.

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