The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(75)

‘I thought I’d pop in just to say hi to Josh before I go back to the juvenile centre.’ I try to say it casually, but my voice comes out strained.

‘He’s sleeping at the moment,’ she says slowly, and smiles, an unhinged expression spreading over her face.

‘Can we wake him up?’ I can’t stop the rising panic in my voice. ‘I really need to wake him up, because if I don’t get back right away, the police will come looking for me so they can interview Maddy.’

There’s no chance of that; they’ll just get Carol and Seetal to sit in with Maddy on her interview but it’s the first thing that comes into my head.

‘I know the game’s up,’ she says. ‘I know Dana heard me on the phone. I heard a noise and saw her driving away.’

‘Dana?’ I frown, not understanding. Is Beth unwell herself? She’s never met Dana so far as I know. ‘You know, I can take Josh with me after all. I bet you could do with a break yourself.’

I’ve been dying to tell Beth about Corey… that I wasn’t to blame after all these years but I can sense now is not the time. She seems confused, disorientated.

‘Josh isn’t here. I gave him a little something to help him sleep.’

‘What? Where is he?’ I step forward, feeling a bit light-headed. ‘Is he OK? What have you given him?’ Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions and she just means some warm milk or something.

It occurs to me that each time I’ve spoken to Beth on the phone, Josh has always been too busy watching Netflix to chat. My neck muscles tighten.

‘I want to see him, Beth. If he’s unwell I’ll need to take him to the doctor.’

‘He’s OK… for now. You’ll have to take my word for it. But let’s not talk about Josh, let’s talk about you. You and your heartless family.’

My heart is thudding against my chest, but I have to try and keep calm. There’s clearly something very wrong with Beth. I’ve never seen her like this before; she’s usually so rational and calm.

With rising panic, I realise that I’ve left Josh in the care of someone who has possibly had some kind of a breakdown.

‘Beth,’ I say gently. ‘Are you feeling OK?’ I place my hand on her upper arm, but she shrugs it off.

‘All you ever bang on about is this supposed kinship we share because our brothers both died. You never knew how I’ve despised your mother ever since my brother’s death.’

A jolt like electricity shoots through my torso.

‘Why would you blame my mum, Beth? She was part of the team who cared for Andrew when he was admitted after the accident.’

Beth gave a bitter laugh. ‘Cared? That’s hardly the right word for letting someone die.’

She’s making no sense whatsoever, and my patience is wearing thin. I need to see my son right now.

‘Andrew died of the injuries he sustained in the accident, you know that’s true.’ I turn back to her. Again I make a real effort not to raise my voice, but I’m firm. ‘Before we talk any more I want to see Josh.’

‘You’ll see him all in good time. First I have some things to say that you need to listen to very carefully.’

I rush to the kitchen door and shout upstairs. ‘Josh?’

‘I told you, he’s not here,’ she says, folding her arms. ‘Trust me. You’ll want to hear what I’ve got to say.’

I grab her hand. ‘Beth! Stop this now, or I’ll call the police.’ All thoughts of keeping calm are forgotten now.

She laughs, shakes me off. ‘Call the police. Let them hear everything I have to say. In fact, while you’re at it, call the press, too. They’ll have a field day.’

I doubt the press are interested in her ramblings about poor Andrew’s death. She’s deluded. But Neary and March will help me get my son back, I know that. I fumble in my handbag for my phone.

‘It’s always been family first with you, hasn’t it?’ Beth sneers. ‘Even though they treat you like a second-class citizen. Blame you for what happened to Corey when it was never your fault at all.’

I stare at her, disbelief prickling every inch of my skin. Beth knows it was Chloe who was responsible for Corey’s accident? How is that even possible?

‘Did you know that Bessie Wilford was the ward sister on duty the day Andrew was brought into hospital?’

‘How do you know that?’ I frown, trying to get to grips with all this. ‘You knew Bessie Wilford?’

‘I went to her house in a carer capacity a few times. She’d been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Now that really turned out to be a blessing in disguise.’

I stare at her. She’s not making any sense, and in the meantime Josh is possibly drugged somewhere. What if he chokes… or wakes up somewhere strange and panics? I have to call the police. I pull my phone out of my bag and open up my call list for Neary’s direct number.

‘Do you know how Alzheimer’s works, Juliet?’ She’s conversing in this casual tone, as if we’re just having a regular chat over coffee. ‘Bessie had a near-perfect memory for years ago; it was just the more recent stuff she had a problem with. When she said she worked at the hospital – mad old bat thought she was still there, actually – I asked her about my brother on the off chance, mentioned your mum’s name, too.’ Beth’s face screws up with disdain. ‘Bessie remembered the day Andrew was brought in perfectly. She told me his injuries were too severe and there was nothing they could do for him.’