The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(70)

Well, Juliet might have fallen for her therapist’s claptrap, but she certainly hadn’t.

Chloe was too immersed in the real world, had been plunged into it without warning and it had been like being dunked suddenly in ice-cold water. Her problems were too entrenched to be solved by a shallow heart-to-heart with Dana Sewell.

It had been Tom’s idea to come straight inside from the car park and tell Juliet the truth. Especially since her mum and dad knew everything now.

Chloe herself had actually thought long and hard about coming clean to Juliet for a few months now, and never more so than over the last couple of days. But now the moment had arrived, she couldn’t help thinking they were far better leaving it until after this mess with the police was sorted out.

Her sister seemed fragile, distracted for obvious reasons. Chloe’s own daughter was in this mess too, but Chloe took comfort from the support around her. Juliet seemed push people away, to retreat into herself and shun any efforts to bring her into the fold.

Chloe sat opposite her sister and made her best attempt at a smile, but Juliet stared right through her. She looked like a spooked cat ready to dart at the first opportunity. Tom shut the door and sat down next to his wife.

Juliet folded her arms. Her foot jiggled and she chewed at the inside of her cheek. She’d done that since being a little kid, Chloe remembered. It was her way of trying to settle her nerves when something was on her mind.

Well, she wasn’t the only one who felt sick with nerves at what was about to come out.

Tom coughed and reached for Juliet’s hand, but she snatched it away.

‘Juliet, I know you want to talk to us, but there’s something we need to tell you,’ Tom said gently. ‘Please know this isn’t easy. We’ve been waiting for the right time, but… well, I’ve finally realised there is no right time.’

‘Have you both considered that perhaps I already know?’ Juliet’s punchy retort surprised Chloe. She glared at them both in turn. ‘Maybe I know all about what’s been happening. Maybe there’s just a slight chance I’m not quite as stupid and blind as you both obviously think I am.’

Tom shot Chloe a look and Juliet saw it.

‘No use batting your eyes at her now, Tom. She can’t help you wriggle out of this.’ She unfolded her arms and squeezed her hands into fists. ‘I saw you both. Out there in the car park together. I—’

‘Juliet, you’ve got this all wrong.’ Tom shook his head.

Chloe sighed. ‘We haven’t—’

‘Shut your mouth!’ Her screech was shocking in the small space. It reverberated around the room.

Chloe fell silent. This was not going to plan.

‘You’ll both listen to me whether you like it or not,’ Juliet continued. ‘I saw you arguing with her in the car, Tom. It was quite obviously an intimate falling-out, a lovers’ tiff. And do you know what? It was almost a relief to witness it, because suddenly everything that’s been baffling me now makes perfect sense!’

She threw back her head and gave a hard, hacking laugh that sounded manic in the confined space.

‘You with your supposed after-work meetings,’ she said scornfully before turning to Chloe. ‘And you, always on your phone texting, always something more important to do than your actual job.’

Nobody spoke.

‘So you see, you don’t really need to tell me anything at all. I worked it out for myself.’ Her eyes watered.

‘Juliet,’ Tom said quietly. ‘You’ve had your say, and now you need to listen.’

‘I don’t need to do anything.’ Juliet stood up. ‘At this precise moment, the only thing I need is not to breathe the same air as you two.’

She stepped forward and Tom rose, blocking her path.

‘Juliet, you’re mistaken. Chloe and I are not having an affair. I swear it on Maddy’s life.’

‘Don’t you dare bring our daughter into this!’ She raised her fists and Tom grabbed her forearms as she moved to hammer at him.

The door flew open and Joan walked into the room, Ray at her shoulder.





Fifty-Four





‘Maybe you should go and get yourself a coffee or something,’ Joan suggested to Chloe. Her voice had assumed the warning tone they all knew so well. The warning tone that translated within their family as: Make yourself scarce, I’ll deal with this.

‘I don’t want a coffee,’ Chloe snapped.

‘It’s no use you getting yourself all upset over something that can’t be changed,’ her mother said firmly. ‘If Juliet continues to insist on discussing it, then let us sort it out.’

Tom slapped his hand over his eyes.

‘What the hell are you talking about?’ Juliet’s face was pale and furious. ‘Am I going mad or are you all keeping something from me?’

Joan’s face hardened.

‘If we are, then it’s for your own good. There are more important things to worry about than family secrets. Your daughter is close to being charged with manslaughter.’

‘We all need to talk, Mum,’ Chloe said quietly.

‘Somebody needs to start talking, I know that much,’ Juliet snapped. ‘Tom? Chloe? Anybody!’

Joan turned on her. ‘What do I need to talk to you for? Corey would have been twenty-one now. Do you ever think about that?’