Page 54 of Perfect Wives
Another smirk. ‘Maybe you should ask him.’ Then she laughs. ‘Relax,’ she says. ‘He just asked how Rowan was settling in. I said she was making friends. Planning a pirate party. Apparently, pirates are all the rage at lunch break.’
‘You said something more,’ I push. ‘He looked upset.’
‘Oh,’ she says, waving a hand in the air like it’s nothing. ‘I said I thought I recognised him from somewhere. We were trying to work it out.’ She shrugs, tucking a wisp of jet-black hair behind her ear before she continues. ‘God, you mums are intense. I’m not after your husbands.’
‘That’s not what I’m worried about,’ I reply.
‘You’re worried I’m going to tell him about your drunken chat about your neighbour,’ she says, dropping her voice into a faux whisper like this is all a joke to her.
Anger burns through me. ‘And the rest,’ I say through gritted teeth, thinking of her voice note and what she asked us to do yesterday. ‘Come on, Keira. This is too much now. You need to stop,’ I say, fighting to keep my voice even and my expression schooled into something normal. The last thing I want is everyone staring. ‘This isn’t a joke. You’re playing with people’s lives.’
Something in her eyes hardens. It’s like a mask has slipped and I’m seeing the monster underneath. When she speaks, her voice is low and menacing. ‘Just so we’re clear, Georgie,’ she says, her Irish accent sounding stronger as my name rolls off her lips, ‘I don’t give a shit about your little school-mum kingdom. I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about me, and I don’t need to stop doing anything I don’t want to do.’ She points a finger at me. ‘Remember that.’
She makes to leave, stepping back, turning, but before I can stop myself, I’m reaching out, grabbing her arm, my grip tight as I step close. ‘Stay away from me. Stay away from my friends. Stay away from our husbands.’
Her gaze drops to where I’m touching her, then her eyes lift to meet mine. ‘Or what?’ she asks, her smile fierce. ‘You planning another murder, Georgie?’
Her words hit square in the chest, knocking the air from my lungs. My grip loosens, and I drop my hand, suddenly aware of how exposed we are and how many eyes might be watching.
She’s asking me if I’m planning to kill her ex. Reminding me what happens now I haven’t.
My heart drums a frantic beat against my ribs.
Keira checks her watch with maddening nonchalance. ‘Run along now,’ she says. She waggles her fingers and turns, hips swaying, weaving through the crowd like she owns it. I stare after her.
Keira’s planning something. I saw it in the flash of menace behind her smile. The question isn’t whether she’ll strike again. It’s how soon. And what we’re going to do to stop it. If we’ll survive it…
3 DAYS EARLIER
Strangers on a Train WhatsApp Group
Wednesday, 15 October, 10.17a.m.
Keira
You didn’t do it. This is on you!
Keira
A parcel is being delivered to each of you today. If I were you, I’d get to them before your husbands. And by the way, it’s their names on the envelopes.
Magnolia Mums WhatsApp Group
Tasha
OMG! What has she sent us? I’m at my parents’.
Georgie
I’m at work. Beth, can you grab the postman at the gate and take the parcels?
Beth
I’m on it.
Magnolia Mums WhatsApp Group
Beth
