Page 39 of The Last One to See Him

For nearly an hour she sits there, thinking about her baby. And then, when fatigue weighs her down, she stands and heads back to the station.

‘What the hell are you doing?’

Harper freezes. She doesn’t need to turn around to know that it’s Jamie.

There’s no point answering him – they both know she shouldn’t be here. She continues walking.

‘Don’t ignore me. Why are you following me? You shouldn’t be here, Harper. You should never have come here. You’ve messed everything up! What the fuck have you done?’

Harper doesn’t stop. His words don’t make sense and questions swarm around her head. Questions she doesn’t want to know the answer to.

And as she walks away amid Jamie’s shouts, she takes her phone from her pocket, dialling the number before she can change her mind.

EIGHTEEN

THURSDAY 30 JANUARY

The tiny cameras Kate ordered arrive in the morning so things are nearly set. Ellis will need to get Harper’s Wi-Fi password, and with no other choice, Kate is putting her faith in a man who has already let her down before.

At around lunchtime she walks to Aleena’s house. She knows that Aleena works from home on Thursdays, and she’s worried that she hasn’t heard from her friend since Tuesday, despite Kate’s persistent messages.

There’s no answer when she knocks, but Aleena’s silver Kia is in the drive. Kate tries her phone, but it rings until her voicemail kicks in. She tries again and presses her ear to the door –she can hear Aleena’s mobile ringing inside. She peers through the window just as a figure disappears from view.

At least she knows her friend is okay. Aleena avoiding her is better than the alternative. Kate bangs on the door. ‘Aleena! I’m worried about you. I’m calling the police!’

Within seconds, the door opens a fraction and Aleena peers out. She doesn’t say anything but stares at Kate as if she doesn’t recognise her.

‘What’s going on?’ Kate asks.

‘I’m working. I can’t talk now.’ Aleena tries to shut the door, but Kate thrusts out her arm to stop her.

‘Hey!’

‘We need to talk, Aleena. Please. Can I come in?’

‘I told you – I’m working. This really isn’t a good time, Kate.’

‘Please can I just come in for a minute. We need to talk. Why are you being like this?’

Aleena sighs. ‘You’ve lied to me, Kate. All these years.’

Kate’s legs weaken beneath her. ‘What do you mean? What have I lied about?’

‘Just stop!’ Aleena shouts. ‘I know all about Graham White!’

Aleena’s words seem to echo through the street, and Kate stares at her, wondering how this has come out now. It feels like long minutes pass before she can bring herself to say anything. ‘Please let me come in – I can explain everything.’

‘No. I don’t want to know anything. I thought we were friends, Kate, but you’ve kept something so…so huge from me. I’ve shared everything with you – things I’ve never told my own husband! All you’ve done is prove that our friendship meant nothing to you.’

‘Please, Aleena. Just let me explain. Two minutes. Can I just have my say?’

Aleena sighs, then without a word, holds the door open and heads into the living room.

Kate shuts the door and follows her, preparing herself to relive the nightmare of Graham White all over again.

‘Aleena, I—’ Kate stops short.

Sitting on the sofa watching her is Harper Nolan.

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