Page 21 of The Last One to See Him

Unsure how to respond, Kate ignores her comment. ‘It’s very safe,’ Kate says. ‘In case you’re worried. All the kids on the road play out there, and the parents can watch from their windows.’

‘I’m fine with them going out there,’ Harper says, but the way her eyes flit to the window every few seconds tells a different story.

They both watch the boys for a moment, and Kate notices that Dex hangs back, unsure of what he’s doing, barely managing to kick the ball in the right direction. Harper was definitely lying.

For the next hour, Harper doesn’t mention Jamie or Ellis, or anything else that puts Kate on edge, and she begins to wonder if Rowan is right and she’s being paranoid, if guilt has skewed her view of what’s going on.No. It’s not paranoia. There is definitely something off about this woman. How she’s fixated on me so quickly.

Harper talks about growing up in Cornwall, and how being by the sea is her happy place, and Kate hangs on to every detail, hoping for something she can use to catch her out in a lie.

Despite the way their conversation flows, Kate’s relieved when Harper finally says it’s time she got Dexter home.

At the door, they call across to the boys, who are deep in conversation, sitting on makeshift swings one of the neighbours erected for the neighbourhood kids, their football game abandoned.

‘How lovely to see that,’ Harper says, lightly placing her hand on Kate’s arm. ‘What a blessing.’

Once again, Kate has no idea how to respond. She’s in the dark about what Harper is doing, and only knows she needs to put an end to it.

‘Thank you so much for having us,’ Harper says, wrapping her thin arms around Kate.

Kate’s smiles, but doesn’t suggest they do it again.

A red Renault Clio pulls up outside, stopping right in front of the house. ‘Expecting anyone?’ Harper says, turning back to Kate.

‘No,’ Kate says as she watches Maddy climb out of the car. She glances at Harper. ‘That’s the woman Ellis cheated on me with. They got together properly a couple of months ago.’ Kate recalls the first time she saw Maddy– at Ellis’s work Christmas party two years ago. That night, she hadn’t taken any notice of Maddy, hadn’t spotted a single sign that something might happen between her and Ellis.

‘Oh,’ Harper says, staring at Maddy as she makes her way towards them.

‘Hi,’ Maddy says, briefly glancing at Harper before focusing back on Kate. Sorry, am I interrupting?’

‘Not at all,’ Harper says. ‘I was just leaving. The boys have just had a playdate.’

‘Sorry,’ Maddy says again, turning to Harper. ‘Do we know each other? You look very familiar.’

Harper frowns. ‘I don’t think so. I’m sure I’d remember – I’m quite good with faces.’

Maddy inclines her head. ‘Oh, okay. Sorry. I’m just sure I recognise you.’ Maddy continues to stare at Harper.

Before Harper can respond, the boys walk back to the house, Dexter hanging back when he realises there’s someone he doesn’t know there.

‘This is Maddy,’ Thomas says. ‘My dad’s girlfriend.’

Maddy’s cheeks redden. ‘Hi, Thomas,’ Maddy says, smiling.

‘Is something wrong? Is Dad okay?’

‘He’s fine,’ Maddy assures him. ‘I was just dropping off this. Thought you might need it.’ She hands Thomas a plastic bag. ‘It’s your school library book. You left it at your dad’s.’

‘Oh, thanks.’ Thomas takes the bag.

Harper takes Dexter’s arm. ‘Come on, time to go. Thanks again, Kate. See you soon.’

Maddy turns to watch as Harper gets into her car. ‘I’ve definitely seen her before.’

‘She didn’t seem to remember that.’ Kate says.

‘I know shesaidthat, but I definitely know her. I’m sure of it. I don’t forget faces, Kate. I just can’t think where I remember her from.’ She sighs. ‘Oh, well. It will come to me.’

Maddy glances back as she drives off, and her words ring in Kate’s ears. As much as Kate wants it to be a coincidence that Maddy recognised Harper, she knows it can’t be.

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