Page 60 of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“Except mealtimes, of course. Agreed?”

They murmur their assent. Tallulah looks triumphant, believing she’s got the magic touch with her father. I know it’s all just more smoke and mirrors. He’ll be freaking out in no time when he sees them zoned out on their electronics for more than an hour. And when he gets the bill from the club filled with ice cream and junk, that will be the end of the freedom ride. But that doesn’t matter, because after Saturday we’ll be gone. Jackson doesn’t know it yet, but he’s just given me an escape hatch.

– 37 –

DAPHNE

Saturday has arrived, and everything is in place. Meredith will be waiting for us outside the school after the play starts. She’s familiar with the layout, having sent her own children to Charterhouse. The play is in the auditorium on the first floor. Down two hallways is a faculty bathroom that has a window right next to the parking lot. The restroom will likely be locked, but Meredith is on the board of the school and has arranged to hide a key under a plant next to the door. It all sounds very cloak-and-dagger and a bit far-fetched, but maybe if I pretend I’m in a spy movie, I won’t be so terrified. I’ll have only a few minutes to convince the girls to leave with me, to make them understand it’s for their own good, and I still haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to say. Meredith is lending us a car that’s registered to her daughter, which should give me enough time to get out of the state and catch a bus. There’ll be plenty of cash in the car and we’ll stay in small motels once we’re far enough from Bishops Harbor to hide out safely. We worked it out over the phone a few nights ago when Jackson had gone out for a while, and I knew I wouldn’t be overheard.

“Are you sure you don’t mind getting involved? If I’m caught, you could get in trouble for helping me.”

“It’s ridiculous. They’re your children,” Meredith says.

“I know, Mer, but right now Jackson has temporary custody. He’s got us on lockdown here, and things are getting bad.”

“Let me call the lawyers and let them know. Maybe they…”

“No. I’m not doing anything to risk leaving the girls here without me. I only have to stay hidden until the hearing challenging the order of temporary custody. That gives me a few weeks to gather everything I need to prove Jackson set me up.”

“But won’t it hurt your chances at the hearing that you’ve violated the order and taken the girls?”

“Not when I explain why I had to do it. Dr. Marshall has offered to fly in and testify on my behalf. Her notes from the past year detailing all his abuse will stand up. I have to try, Mer. I can’t stay there another day. I don’t know what he might do next.”

She exhales a loud breath. “Okay, I’ll make the arrangements. Please be careful.”

“I will.”

—

Jackson is waiting for us in the car even though we don’t have to leave for another ten minutes. Punctual to Jackson means early, and on time means late. I stop by Bella’s room and sigh when I see she’s still not dressed but is lying on the bed immersed inThe Clue of the Broken Locket.Ever since I introduced her to Nancy Drew, she’s become obsessed and reads at least a book a week. It makes me so happy to see her newfound love of reading, especially as she struggled to learn just a few years ago.

“Honey, come on. Dad’s waiting for us.”

She looks up. “It’s time to go already?”

I hold out the jeans she’s thrown on the bed. “Hurry, get dressed. I’ll see you downstairs.”

When I reach the hallway, Tallulah is running out the door and getting into the car. I take a deep breath, checking my watch every few seconds, my impatience growing. Finally, Bella comes down the stairs, gives me a bright smile, and we leave the house together. We pull off at exactly one thirty. My heart is racing as I contemplate my plan. At intermission, I have to get the girls to the ladies’ room but not too soon. I have to make sure there’s a long line so that it canappear as if I’ve just remembered the other bathroom. Then I’ll lead them to it and get them to follow me outside.

When we get to the school, there’s already a crowd gathered. As we’re led into the lobby, I notice the snack bar.

“How about if I get everyone a drink?” I need to make sure that a bathroom break is warranted.

Jackson gives me a look. “Let’s all go over together.” He puts a hand on my back and steers me toward the concession stand. “Waters for everyone?” he asks.

“I want a candy bar,” Bella says. Tallulah is quiet.

Jackson turns to her. “We just had lunch, and I’m taking you out for a special dinner after. I don’t think you need to stuff your face with candy.” He smiles in a vain effort to deflect his harsh words.

She frowns and looks at me. If I didn’t know that we’d soon be free from his grip, I would make a case for her, but I don’t want to rock the boat. “Daddy’s right, sweetie. How about if you save that sweet tooth for dessert tonight?”

Jackson shoots me a look of annoyance, and I pretend not to notice. “Waters for all of us,” I say in a bright voice.

We take our seats, and the play begins. I can hardly pay attention, but I force myself to laugh when I hear others laughing. Jackson leans close to me, and I cringe as his leg makes contact with mine and he exerts gentle pressure. Finally, it’s intermission and the house lights goup.

“Bathroom break, girls?”

Tallulah shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

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