Page 99 of The Girl in Room 12

Ivy frowns. ‘What about Poppy?’ she asks.

‘Oh, of course Poppy too,’ I say. ‘She’s my extra special favourite.’

Sarah leans down to Ivy. ‘Why don’t you go to the children’s section over there by Cole and choose a book? I’m sure he’ll help you.’

‘Really?’ Her eyes widen.

Sarah nods. ‘Yes. Special treat.’

Ivy trots off and I turn to Sarah. ‘Not sure Poppy would be so happy to get a book. A toy maybe. Chocolate. Jelly.’

‘It’s been hard for her. I’ve not been able to get her much at all other than second-hand clothes and toys people have donated to us. But I feel that things are on the up now.’

‘Dean,’ I say. ‘How’s that going?’

Sarah blushes. ‘Really well. He comes over almost every night to read Ivy a bedtime story, and then we take her out together on Sundays. You know, family time. And he’s paying maintenance. A lot. I think he’s trying to make up for the last five years when I’ve struggled by myself.’

‘That’s great. I didn’t realise he was doing all that.’

Sarah winces. ‘Sorry. It felt weird telling you stuff like this after everything that happened to you.’

‘Whatever’s going on in your life – good or bad – I want to know about it.’

She nods. ‘Okay. And same goes for you.’

I swallow my guilt, forcing it away, just as I always do in Sarah’s presence now. I should have told her right from the start.Would it have made any difference? All these months later and they still haven’t found evidence to convict anyone of Alice’s murder.

‘How’s Max doing?’ Sarah asks.

‘Still holding out hope that we can get back together.’

‘And do you think you ever can?’ Her words are laced with hope.

‘No. It went on too long. I might have been able to forgive a one-night thing, but…there must have been something seriously wrong with our marriage for Alice to stand any chance of getting to Max.’

Sarah ponders my reasoning. ‘I’m not sure life’s as black and white as that. And if he had all this extra stress of what was happening with Taylor…’

Thankfully, Ivy runs over to us before I can respond. ‘Can I have this book, Mummy?’ She waves a book in front of Sarah.

‘Good choice,’ I say. ‘Poppy loves Elmer too.’ I turn to Sarah. ‘I’ll get that for her.’

‘No, no. You’ve helped me out enough over the years. I’m getting this.’ Sarah prises the book from Ivy’s hand and clutches it to her chest.

‘Can I see Poppy?’ Ivy asks. ‘Please, Mummy.’

‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Sarah glances at me. ‘I don’t know what Poppy’s plans are today.’

‘Actually, Max is just taking her to the park. You can join them if you want.’

Sarah frowns. ‘Are you sure that wouldn’t be weird?’

‘You and Max can still be friends. Our separation has nothing to do with that. And Poppy would love to see Ivy.’

‘I’ll give him a call, then,’ Sarah says. She holds up the Elmer book. ‘After I’ve paid for this.’

When I get home, the first thing I notice is the smell of freshly baked cakes. And then I hear Max and Poppy laughing in the kitchen. Domestic bliss. Max is doing this on purpose; forcing me to see how it could be if I ignored everything that’s happened. Erased it from my mind, like something from an episode ofBlack Mirror. But I won’t falter.

‘Hey,’ he says, when I get to the kitchen. ‘Good day?’

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