The silent midwinter, p.13
The Silent Midwinter, page 13
Both girls find themselves outside the front of the station and Harper spots the taxi rank. She had emptied the cash out from her savings box so she’s sure to have enough. It’s not like she can have the tattoo she’s saving for just yet anyway. She approaches the taxi driver and tells him the address. It’s a short drive so even better. So far everything is going to plan. She’ll have her sister back home by lunchtime at this rate and be back in time for when their dad calls to check on them.
Less than ten minutes later and the taxi is pulling up on Nelder Street.
‘There you go ladies. Almost forgotten you were there you’re both so quiet,’ the driver says.
Harper hands him a ten-pound note. ‘What’s the taxi number so I can phone when we’re finished?’
The driver hands her some change along with a business card. ‘Enjoy your day and keep out of mischief, both.’ He smiles warmly.
Harper thanks him and steps out of the car, taking hold of her sister’s hand again. ‘This won’t take long. I just want to meet this friend of Kate’s quickly and then we can go back home. I’m enjoying our little adventure so far.’
Felicity smiles at her but Harper notices that she looks a bit uncertain. There’s no way she could’ve left her at home on her own and this is the perfect opportunity with both Kate and her dad at work, not questioning her every movement. She does still wish that Callum was here with them though. She faces number fifteen and admires the pretty front garden. It’s much nicer than theirs, she thinks. It didn’t really occur to her before, but she suddenly realises that it might not just be a man living here that her stepmum might be having an affair with. He might have a wife and children. The trouble she could cause starts to feel a little overwhelming and her heart quickens.
‘Perhaps we should not bother them. Kate’s friend might be busy.’ Harper closes her hand around Felicity’s a little more and gently tugs her to walk away.
Felicity stands firm and tugs her arm back and points to the door with the other.
‘No, I’ve changed my mind. We shouldn’t bother them when they don’t know we’re coming. C’mon.’
The sound of the front door opening sends a bolt of panic inside Harper’s chest. A lady with deep auburn hair is in the doorway, arms folded. ‘Can I help you both? You’re staring at my house. You lost or something?’
‘No it’s okay,’ Harper quickly says.
Her sister is rooted to the spot, refusing to be led away.
‘Are you sure?’ the woman asks.
The woman is beautiful and she’s smiling. Perhaps she is just a friend of Kate’s that she knows from work or something. There’s no affair. Isn’t that what she came here to find out? she reminds herself. She’d rather Kate wasn’t having an affair now – she just wants what’s best for her little sister and her dad. She realises that she can’t keep blaming Kate for being bullied at school. Her Nan was right. If she can just rule out this problem then perhaps she can start to feel less angry about everything.
She takes a deep breath, ‘Do you know our stepmum? I think she was here the other day.’
The woman raises an eyebrow.
‘Kate Midwinter,’ Harper clarifies.
The woman thinks a moment and then purses her lips. ‘Yes I know her. Would you like to come in for some lemonade? She’s an old school friend and it’d be nice to get to know you.’
Harper looks at her little sister who is nodding. Kate has just been catching up with an old school friend. Harper relaxes her shoulders a little.
‘Yes please,’ Harper agrees. Her throat is now so dry, lemonade sounds perfect.
‘I’m Carla.’ The woman smiles. ‘Come on through.’ She leads the way inside.
Carla opens the living room door and they are suddenly met with an excited West Highland puppy. Felicity’s eyes widen and she immediately drops to the floor to fuss the puppy.
‘This is Kylie. she’s only ten weeks old,’ Carla says.
‘Kylie?’ Harper sounds surprised. ‘Funny name for a puppy.’
‘I totally agree with you. I didn’t name her.’ Carla looks through some papers on the cabinet and hands Harper an image to look at. ‘Just so we have the right Kate Midwinter, is this her?’
Harper looks at the image. ‘Yes it’s her but why ha—’
‘It’s okay. We have CCTV at the front of the house and I printed off her photo so I could compare it to old pics of her from school, that’s all. It’s been years since I’ve seen her. We didn’t have long to chat; she just turned up out of the blue. I’ll get those drinks and we can chat. Would you like ice?’
‘Yes please.’
Carla turns to Felicity for an answer, and she nods.
‘She doesn’t really talk to anyone,’ Harper says.
‘Right. Well, I’ll leave you for a few minutes to get to know Kylie and I’ll be back with those drinks.’
Harper admires the décor in the lounge; the feature wall’s paper was covered in striking red roses. The large plush grey sofa was covered in scatter cushions with various prints. It was mismatched but comfy and homely, unlike their own home which had a more sterile feel with white or magnolia walls and pine furniture. She couldn’t wait to get her own house and decorate it in purples, blacks and dark Red’s. It was her dream to own a gothic mansion but she’d settle for a flat, anything as long as it was her own place.
Carla returns carrying a tray with three glasses of lemonade, the ice cubes clinking away. ‘Here we are. Please sit down; make yourselves at home. I must say this is such a lovely surprise.’
Felicity sinks into the sofa with Kylie snuggling next to her, demanding more fuss. Harper takes her drink and perches more cautiously on the end of the sofa.
‘So does Kate know you’re here? I have to ask: why are you here?’
Harper looks to her lap; she decides not to lie. Carla seems nice and she feels at ease. ‘No, Kate and my dad are at work. They don’t know we’re here. I found this address in my stepmum’s pocket and I just wanted to meet her friends, see where she’s been going.’ Harper gently shrugs and struggles to make eye contact.
‘You mean you’re snooping.’ Carla raises her brows and grins.
‘My dad hasn’t been with Kate long, just wanted to know more about her, I guess.’ It’s all Harper could admit to. She realises how stupid she must sound.
‘Well, I won’t tell her you’re here then. You have your reasons and I respect that.’
Harper takes a deep breath and relaxes her shoulders a little. Finally, someone who just listens to what she says without nagging and questioning and going on.
‘Were you good friends with Kate at school?’ Harper asks.
Felicity sits up to listen more, as the puppy keeps nudging her arms for fuss.
‘Erm, not really. Well, yes. Not the best of friends but we hung out. There was a group of us. To be honest, I don’t remember much of school; I put it far behind me. I hated it.’
Harper nods in agreement. ‘Yeah, I hate school too.’
‘How about you?’ Carla looks to Felicity who just shrugs.
‘She has selective mutism,’ Harper says. ‘She can talk but she can’t, but not to everyone. Sorry, I don’t think that makes sense.’
Carla waves her hand. ‘You don’t have to explain to me, I get you just fine… both of you.’
Harper smiles at her and settles back into the sofa, sipping her lemonade.
‘So, your stepmum is at work? Where is that? I was so busy when she turned up here that I didn’t find out a thing about what she’s up to now. I did say I’d be in touch for a proper catch-up very soon.’
‘She works at Standington Prison, just outside of Bracknell.’
Carla coughs, swallowing a mouthful of the fizzy drink. ‘Yes, I know it.’ She coughs again. ‘Is she a prison officer?’
‘No, she’s support grade. She mainly just opens the mail.’
‘Does she now…?’ Carla coughs and splutters some more. ‘Excuse me a moment, I think I need some water.’
Harper looks to her little sister. ‘You okay? We’ll go home soon, okay?’
Felicity nods. She seems happy with Kylie giving her all of the attention. Harper pulls out her phone and sends Callum a quick text message,
I’m at the house now and it turns out the woman here is a school friend of Kate’s. You were right all along, I was being paranoid. Love you mate x
The teen slides her phone back into her pocket as Carla enters back into the room.
‘That’s better. So how did you both get here? How are you getting home?’
‘We got the train and then a taxi to here. We live in Bracknell so not that far.’
‘Ah, taxis are expensive. Look, my other half will be here any minute. I’m sure he’d happily drive you back home.’
‘Really?’ Harper realises she should decline, not wanting to be a nuisance, but she didn’t fancy tackling public transport again on her own and it would be faster.
‘Absolutely. I’d like to see that you both get home safely. Look, I don’t want you in trouble, so don’t mention that you were here and I won’t tell. I told Kate I’d catch up with her soon, so I’ll swing by this weekend. It’d be so nice to catch up with her properly. I can already see by you two how well she’s done for herself. I could bring Kylie too?’
Felicity nods enthusiastically, giggling at having her fingers licked by the puppy.
‘That would be cool,’ Harper agrees. She feels relief at not having to tell Kate anything. She can keep this to herself and say no more about it. She’s not having an affair and hopefully she can now focus on building a relationship with her again. Today has gone far better than she ever expected.
The doorbell rang out and the puppy shot from Felicity’s lap, barking as she ran to the door. ‘Ah, that’ll be my hubby. Bet he’s forgotten his key again. You ready to go girls?’
Harper takes her sister’s glass and places it on the coffee table. She takes her hand and they follow Carla to the front door.
‘Hello, love,’ Carla greets the man in the doorway and air kisses his cheeks. ‘This is Harper and Felicity. Girls, this is Gregg. Honey, can you drive them home back to Bracknell?’
‘Whatever you say, Carla. Ready, ladies?’
‘Yes, thank you so much,’ Harper says. ‘Hope we aren’t being a pain.’
‘Not in the slightest,’ Gregg grins. ‘The only pain is my wife here. Ain’t that right, Mrs Carla Riley?’
Harper clocks the stern look that Carla gives Gregg and she can’t tell if she’s joking or not but then she bursts into laughter so she relaxes again.
‘I’ll be back for me dinner in a bit then, woman,’ Gregg teases again. ‘Right let’s get going girls. Who’s riding shotgun?’
‘I will,’ Harper answers. ‘I’ll know the way once we get to Bracknell town centre, I can direct you.’
‘Brains and beauty,’ Gregg winks at the teen. ‘Let’s get this show on the road.’
Chapter Thirty-One
Gregg
Gregg’s phone flashes as he starts the engine; he quickly checks the message from Riley. Not funny, it read. He glances at her still standing in the doorway and he waves at her with a sarcastic smirk.
‘You both buckled up?’ He turns to the teenager sitting beside him and the younger girl sat in the back.
Both girls confirm that they are and he reverses from the driveway. He checks Harper out from the corner of his eye, her pale complexion and her dyed jet-black hair. He could say to himself that he stalks troubled teenagers for a living, so he knows one when he sees one. He grips the steering wheel a little tighter at the thought of being screwed over by Charlie Coleman again. Perhaps he should stick to the likes of Harper; it’s what he knows best. He hasn’t heard what’s happened to the blonde piece he handed over on a plate. No news of her being found yet; the longer she’s kept captive the messier it can get. Riley was a fool for excluding him from that one. But he knows that Carla needs him or else she wouldn’t have called him for this urgent job. Pretending to be her husband was nothing short of disgusting though – the thought makes him wipe his cheeks from the air kiss.
‘So, is it like half term or something? You not being at school?’ Gregg breaks the silence.
‘Yeah,’ Harper answers. ‘Thank goodness.’
‘Not a fan of school?’
Harper doesn’t answer. Gregg sees that she just shrugs.
‘You’re quiet back there.’ He glances at Felicity in the rear-view mirror.
‘She doesn’t talk to anyone,’ Harper says.
‘That so?’ Gregg winks at the little girl through the mirror then keeps his eyes on the road. ‘Your mum is friends with Carla then, hey?’
‘Stepmum… Yes, they are old schoolmates.’
‘Sorry, your mum still around?’
Harper answers after a beat. ‘No, she died.’
‘Ah, sorry kid. Do you get on with your stepmum?’
Harper didn’t answer.
‘Sorry, I chat too much and ask too many questions. Tell me to shut the fuck up if you want?’
Harper smirks and her jaw drops a little.
‘Excuse the French.’ Gregg winks once more at Felicity in the mirror. He sees her smiling back.
Gregg turns on the radio and they continue in silence for a bit. He’ll find out what the score is with these two soon enough. He didn’t want to risk putting his foot in anything just yet, Riley hadn’t given much away but she ordered him not to talk too much. Soon, they were taking the exit towards Bracknell town centre.
‘It’s right around the island,’ Harper piped up. She continued to direct him for the last ten minutes of the journey.
‘It’s good you know your way around,’ Gregg says, as he pulls up in front of the girls’ home. ‘Didn’t have to use the old satnav.’
‘I can’t wait to drive,’ Harper says, unbuckling her seatbelt.
‘Nothing like having your first set of wheels, kid.’
‘Do you want petrol money?’ Harper blurts out as she opens the car door.
Gregg dismisses her with a brief wave of his hand, ‘No, seeing you home safely is payment enough for me. Carla will be in touch. Nice to meet you both.’
‘Thank you so much again.’ Harper steps from the car and opens the rear door for her little sister to hop out.
Once both girls step away from the car, Gregg pulls away, waving to them as he does. He’s made a mental note of the address. That’s all that’s required for now. That’s all he was instructed – to get to Carla’s immediately before Andrew got home, pretend to be her fella, drive two girls to Bracknell safely, don’t say too much, and note their address. He hazards a guess as to what Riley has planned and he can’t wait to find out if he’s right.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lunch break is over in a flash. It was good to speak to Harper and Fizz on the phone; it grounded me and took my mind away from the giddiness. This is the most unsteady that I have felt at work, ever. What if Mala had opened that letter and seen my face? How would I have explained that one? Why was it even posted by Carla anyway? Who the hell is Anna West? I feel so stupid. I shouldn’t have let my curiosities get the better of me; I should never have gone to that house. It was meant to be harmless, but I have a sick feeling that it was anything but that. I try and shake it off; it’s done and no one will be any the wiser. I’m going to stay well away from Jason, his house, and push all thoughts away. I won’t be found out for stalking an inmate’s home and my job will be safe. The trouble with pushing thoughts away, though, is that they slam back in your face with force. There will be a phone conversation between Carla and Jason; she’ll ask him if he’s checked the photo. He’ll say ‘What photo?’ because he hasn’t seen it. She’ll send it again. What if I don’t open it again?
‘Food not helped?’ Mala says, breezing into the post room. ‘You still look pale. Are Harper and Felicity okay?’
‘They’re fine. They sound like they’re coping well, being home alone. I’m fine, honestly.’ The pen I’m holding slips from my fingers. As I bend to pick it up, I knock a pile of paperwork to the floor.
Mala pulls out my chair and sits me down, picks up the papers for me then hands me a ginger nut.
‘Seriously, what’s going on? You’re not yourself. I know when something’s not right.’
I nibble away at the biscuit. I can’t stomach it and I don’t know how I’m going to swallow it, but it delays answering my best friend.
‘I’m just tired; I’m fine. Perhaps I’m coming down with a bug.’ I’m rapidly trying to weigh up whether I should just come clean and tell Mala what an idiot I’ve been. No, I can’t risk her judging me and being disappointed in me. I can’t have her thinking I’m one of those nutters who are obsessed with inmates. I’m not, I don’t think I am. I shuffle the papers out of the way and start scrolling through the computer screen, hoping Mala will just leave me be but I hear crunching in my ear. She’s chomping on a gingernut and staring me out.
‘Honestly, I’m fine.’ I smile at her.
She looks at me, unsure, but raises her hands in defeat, backing away to her own desk. I’m grateful that she has decided to back off for now. We’ve been friends since childhood; she can almost read me like a book but even some books don’t reveal everything. I need to focus on my work. There’s nothing more I can do about my photo getting into Jason’s hands except pray that it doesn’t. I’ll have to take it on the chin whatever unfolds – if it does. I should start thinking of some rational explanation just in case. It’ll be fine.
