The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(35)

Losing our brothers bound Beth and me even tighter together. Much to Chloe’s annoyance.

Seeing that each other’s guilt was unfounded helped a little, even though we weren’t able to forgive ourselves.



* * *



Beth arrives ten minutes later. She jumps out of her car and folds both me and Josh into her arms.

‘I’ve been worried sick. I’m so glad you called,’ she sniffs, her eyes shining. ‘Where’s Tom?’

‘He’s had to go into work, and then he’s going to get more clothes and stuff from the house.’

I feel bad not keeping her up to speed with what’s been happening.

‘I’m sorry, there just seem to have been a thousand things to do,’ I tell her. ‘But thanks for being here and for offering to look after Josh.’

‘Sorry I can’t stay with you a while,’ she says. ‘I’ve got an online food shop delivery scheduled.’ Beth lives in Newstead, a village just a couple of miles away.

‘I’m really sorry to muck up your plans,’ I apologise. ‘Just take your rucksack with you to Beth’s, Josh. I can sort out your dirty clothes and stuff tomorrow.’

‘I want to stay here with you and Dad.’ Josh scowls, folding his arms. ‘And I want to see Maddy.’

‘You can see her soon, I promise, sweetie.’ I kiss the top of his head again.

‘But when will she be home?’ he demands.

I look at Beth. ‘We’re not sure yet, Josh. Soon, I hope.’

There’s no conviction in my words, and it’s painful to hear. Josh looks at me a little fearfully. I think he can sense the emptiness, how things have changed.

Beth holds out her hand to him. ‘I’ve got two words to say to you, Josh Fletcher. Pizza and Netflix. Coming?’

He tries to keep frowning, but his mouth softens and finally he takes her hand.

‘Good man.’ Beth winks at me. ‘Let me know what’s happening soon as you hear anything. I’ve got a spare key to the industrial unit, so I can be there for the delivery in the morning if you need me to be.’

I hit my forehead with the heel of my hand. ‘It completely slipped my mind! You’re a lifesaver, Beth, thank you.’

My head hurts with the effort of trying to juggle everything that needs to be done. Right now, I can’t see even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.





Twenty-Three





I look at my watch and see I’ve got forty-five minutes before the girls are interviewed again. What I need to do will take about half an hour if I get a move on.

I haven’t said a word about my plans to anyone else, even Tom. I didn’t really even make up my mind to do it until Beth agreed to look after Josh, but now I’m decided.

I’m going back to our house. Alone. I just hope Tom doesn’t decide to pop back home and I bump into him there. He wouldn’t approve.

Tom has taken the car, so I open my Uber app and order a cab. They estimate a five-minute pick-up time. I don’t want to risk bumping into Chloe or the detectives while I wait, so I walk quickly across the car park and out onto the road.

I sit on a low brick wall to wait, and start questioning my decision. What am I hoping to find? The answer to that is easy: Maddy’s secret phone.

If I do find it, what will I discover on there? Josh has already said that Bessie left a voicemail message asking Maddy to visit back in May. It’s July now, so there might have been more messages since.

If I find the phone, then it is evidence, and if the police decide to arrest the girls, they might well search our houses. Do I seriously want to be in a position where I hide possible evidence from the police? Of course not.

But I don’t want there to be any nasty surprises either.

I could cancel the Uber and focus on what’s happening here at the police station. Maybe new evidence will come to light and the girls will be released without charge.

I look up as a silver Nissan turns the corner. My cab has arrived.



* * *



The journey takes twelve minutes. I use the time to formulate a plan in my head. It covers what I’ll say if I bump into anyone – I’ll explain politely that I’m not able to discuss anything at this point – and precisely what I’ll do when I’m inside the house.

I haven’t got much time, so I won’t waste time picking up clean clothes; Tom can do that when he gets back and before we go to the new facility in Mansfield.

It’s paramount that I’m back in time to sit in on the girls’ next session with Dana Sewell.

Increasingly I feel like Tom and I are Maddy’s only supporters, with my parents and Chloe slowly moving into Brianna’s corner.

‘You can drop me off just up here…’ My voice fades as I spot an enormous crowd of people right about where the cab is going to pull up. ‘Actually, I’ll jump out now, thanks.’

‘They’ll be here for the murder of that old lady.’ The driver shakes his head as the car comes to a standstill. ‘Terrible business, isn’t it? They ought to throw the book at those two girls, kids or not.’

‘Have you heard of the saying innocent until proven guilty?’ I snap before slipping out of the car and flinging the door shut harder than necessary.