The Girls Who Disappeared(85)

‘Those notes. In the flowers and on your car. My mum wrote them. I recognized her handwriting straight away. For so many years I wondered about the night of the accident and those bright lights. I was in and out of consciousness but Ralph also saw the lights – although he thought it was alien-related.’ She gives a small laugh. ‘Poor Ralph. I was blinded by those lights, so couldn’t see who was in the car. But when the car turned and drove away, I was sure I saw the number-plate. Our number-plate. I told myself, over the years, that I imagined it. But when I saw the notes … I realized my mum must have known something more about that night.’ She wipes a tear away from her eye. She’s been crying, on and off, all day. ‘I was selfish. I knew that to ask her could change everything.’

Jenna turns back to look at her, eyebrow raised. ‘Oh, Olivia.’

‘I was worried you’d realize my mum wrote the notes. So when I saw that one from your car in your kitchen I threw it on the fire just in case it had her fingerprints on or someone else recognized her writing. It was stupid of me. I shouldn’t have tried to protect her. I never knew the extent of it all, I promise.’

‘I know,’ says Jenna.

‘I didn’t know she’d hurt anyone. I just thought she …’ She sighs. Her breath blooms out in front of her before dissipating into the cold air. ‘I thought maybe Mum knew more about what had happened to Sally, Tamzin and Katie.’

Jenna stops and squeezes her hand in sympathy.

Olivia hadn’t even begun to process how her father – this John-Paul – fitted into all this. Was he the figure she saw standing in the road? He’d told her mum that he had been following them in his van and was behind them when the accident happened, so it couldn’t have been him. Maybe it had been Ralph and he’d lied to her. Or perhaps the rumours about strange goings-on in Stafferbury had some truth to them after all.

They begin walking again, both deep in thought.

They’ve reached the clearing and Olivia stops at the sight of Ralph’s caravan, overcome with emotion as she remembers their last meeting. She shivers. She doesn’t want to be out here in the forest, so near to where Ralph died.

‘Who do you think killed him?’ asks Jenna, as if reading her mind.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Do you think it was Jay? Something to do with the drugs?’ She glances at Olivia and must see the pain in her expression. ‘I’m sorry, let’s not think about it now. Come on.’ She links her arm through Olivia’s. ‘Let’s go and sort those horses of yours. I can help. And if you don’t fancy being on your own tonight you can stay at the cabin with me.’

Olivia swells with gratitude. She suddenly yearns to be back with her beloved horses.

After all, they don’t lie and cheat and manipulate or let you down, like people do.





Day Five





52



Jenna


Voice Memo: Friday, 30 November 2018


The Devil’s Corridor has taken a further victim. This time Derreck Jason Knapton – also known as Jay. He died in the early hours of this morning. I came here to cover a story about the disappearance of three young women. I never imagined I’d be at the epicentre when the truth was revealed. It might not have been a mystical or supernatural phenomenon but Madame Tovey had been right about one thing. It had all started with the lovers.

Izzy is in Bea’s Tearoom when we arrive for breakfast. I stayed at the stables with Olivia last night, both of us not wanting to be alone. We drank wine and sat up for hours, just talking and thinking out loud. About Wesley and her mother, Jay and the drugs ring. ‘I think Wesley was so desperate to move in with me to clean this dodgy money he had made,’ she’d said sadly. ‘I thought it was odd after so long. I think he’s been working for Jay for a while. At least two or three years.’

‘You should speak to him, really. Get some answers.’

She’d sighed. ‘Why? He’d only lie. I don’t think that man has ever been straight with me.’

Now she stands next to me, pale-faced and baggy-eyed. The tearoom is packed and there is only one table free. When Izzy spots us she rushes over and grabs hold of Olivia’s arm. ‘Is it true? Did you know?’

Olivia backs away. ‘Of course I didn’t.’

Izzy doesn’t look convinced. Her dark eyes flash but then she seems to remember where she is and plasters a professional smile onto her face. ‘Sit down and I’ll fetch you some menus.’

I can feel many pairs of eyes on us as we walk to our table by the window. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. We’ve just sat down when a woman approaches us. It’s Hannah Burke, Katie’s mum. ‘How can you show your face around here? Your parents are responsible for killing my child …’

‘I’m so sorry, Mrs Burke,’ Olivia begins, her chin wobbling.

‘Hey, she doesn’t have anything to apologize for,’ I butt in. ‘I’m sorry about your daughter but it’s not Olivia’s fault. She’s just as much a victim in this as her friends.’

Mrs Riding slumps onto the seat opposite us and her shoulders droop in defeat. I notice the other customers staring in our direction, expectation on their faces. ‘My Trevor died never knowing …’ A sob escapes her lips.