‘I found the stuff in Scarlett’s room. An article about what Jeanie did with that boy.’ For the first time, Luke looks more impassioned. It’s all coming out like a release. ‘I just wrote it down and sent it to Dad.’
‘And the school where she’d got a job? Very clever. Know a thing or two about computers do you, Luke?’
‘He’s very good with programming actually.’ For a moment Matthew almost looks proud. ‘Natural aptitude.’ Then he remembers himself.
‘He made it look like the emails were from Frankie, and then when Frankie denied it, he must have changed the address. You made them look like they were from your own sister, Luke! But they weren’t, were they?’ I demand.
The teenager shakes his head, lower lip jutting.
‘Oh sweetheart.’ His mother goes to him. ‘I know you wanted to do it for me, but it’s been very cruel to Jeanie. I just wanted you to make her welcome.’
‘Really?’ I hear my own disbelief echo in the air. ‘I’d say you’re a liar – just like your son.’
She was in The Bill, I hear those girls from yesterday say. A born actress.
‘But you cried on their wedding day,’ Luke speaks to his mother, angry now. ‘I didn’t get why. I didn’t get why – and I just wanted to make you happy, Mum. You left Dad, and then you were meant to be happy, but you weren’t nice.’
‘It wasn’t me.’ Kaye’s voice has sharpened. Knife sharp. ‘I didn’t tell him to.’ She looks at both Matthew and me now. ‘You have to believe me.’
‘Do I?’ She’d sell her own son down the river for a song. ‘You didn’t coerce your son into making Jeanie’s life a misery then?’
‘You said it’d be funny, Mum,’ Luke whines. ‘You said imagine if she thought that old ghost was around again…’
‘Oh for f*ck’s sake, Kaye.’ Matthew stands. ‘You child.’
The cards, the emails, the nooses around Jeanie’s neck, the photocopies of articles. The dead blackbirds: the maid was in the garden. Jeanie – the hired help.
This boy wasn’t up to all that – not alone, I don’t think.
But I’ve heard enough; I’m itching to leave.
‘I hope you’re really proud,’ I say. ‘How did you do the bird thing incidentally?’
‘What bird thing?’ Matthew looks confused. ‘The blackbirds Jeanie said she saw.’
‘She did see them.’ I want to slap him. ‘He knows, don’t you, Luke?’
The boy is shrinking further and further into himself.
‘Luke?’ his father demands.
‘I kept them in the attic in a cage. It was just a laugh.’
‘Killing birds?’ I pull a face. ‘A laugh?’
‘He thought he was protecting me…’ Kaye is half crying now – or trying to. Attempting to squeeze out a tear or two. ‘It’s just a son’s love for his mother. It’s natural. Stepfamilies are hard work.’
‘It’s a completely f*cked-up love. Jesus – let them free, if you love them, you stupid woman. Don’t use them for your own ends.’ I look at Matthew. ‘You better get your son some help. Before it’s too late.’
* * *
Kaye and Luke are huddled together in the corner, and I’m ignoring them, as I tell Matthew I want to take the last of Jeanie’s things with me today. I just want to get the hell out of here before I get sucked into their shit any further. I want to get back to Jeanie’s bedside, to meet Frankie, ready for when she wakes up. If she wakes up.
Striding to the door, I say, ‘I’ll bring my car into the drive, if you can get Jeanie’s other boxes.’
‘You don’t need to take it now,’ he’s trying to say. ‘I’d like to see her, for her to know she’s got a home here.’
‘A home?’ I’d laugh if it wasn’t so utterly unfunny. ‘God, when has anyone ever been made less welcome? Why would she want to come back here?’
If she ever wakes up.
‘Marlena, please…’
‘I hope you’re all ashamed of yourselves,’ I snap. ‘You’re monsters, the lot of you.’ Braver than I feel, I walk out to fetch the car.
But I’m speaking to myself too.
I am ashamed. I didn’t realise how close to the edge Jeanie really was. And I didn’t realise the extent of the toxicity here.
* * *