Blood Sisters(43)

So I tell him. Not everything. But enough. I explain that my sister had a ‘terrible road accident’ years ago which left her brain damaged. And that, despite the odds, she had now fallen in love with someone in her care home and – incredibly – got pregnant.

His eyes widen as I talk. ‘How will they manage with a baby?’

‘That’s what we’ve all been asking. But Johnny – that’s her husband – really adores her. Luckily, his mother seems very supportive.’

‘And your parents?’

I’d already mentioned Mum briefly in passing but not David. That would be too much. ‘My mother’s concerned. As I am.’

‘You’ve a lot on your plate.’ His eyes are deep with sympathy. ‘And what about your prison work. How’s that going?’

As he speaks, my mobile rings. ‘Sorry,’ I say, reaching into my bag. I thought I’d put it on silent. It’s the same number as before. D hut.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asks, reading my face.

‘Someone’s calling me from one of the prison huts,’ I whisper. ‘I don’t know who. I haven’t picked up again after the last time.’

‘Give me the phone.’

I hand it over.

‘Who’s that?’ His voice is hard. Commanding. ‘I don’t know who you are,’ I hear him say. ‘But we know where you’re ringing from. You will be found.’

Then he turns it off and hands it back to me. ‘All I heard was breathing.’

‘How will we find him?’ I say. ‘It could be any of the men there.’

‘Doesn’t matter. It will have worried whoever it was. Hopefully he won’t do it again. You’ll have to change your number.’ Then he frowns. ‘If he’s rung before, why haven’t you done that already?’

It’s a question I’ve been asking myself. ‘It sounds silly,’ I falter, ‘but I’m beginning to feel there’s no escape. This man … he’s determined to find me.’

My voice chokes and tears blur my vision. I’m on the verge of saying something stupid. Like I deserve to be caught. But I stop myself just in time.

‘Not if I’m here,’ he says firmly. ‘And right now you’re having dinner with me.’

He’s taking my hand again. Somehow I feel my heartbeat slowing down just a bit.

‘There’s something else too,’ I add. Suddenly I want to unburden myself to this man who makes me feel safe.

I tell him about the threatening notes, the Christmas card. I don’t mean to but I’ve got to the point that if I don’t share it with someone, I’m going to go crazy. I can’t confide in Mum because it would scare her too much. Besides, Lead Man has proved his worth with that phone call just now.

He listens solemnly. ‘Have you any idea who’s trying to intimidate you?’

I think back to the sunny morning all those years ago. Vanessa’s crushed body. Kitty’s new shoe on the ground.

I know your secret.

‘No,’ I say, with a choke in my voice. ‘I’ve no idea at all. That’s what makes it so terrifying.’

He leans across the table. I breathe in his smell. There’s the faint hint of a lemon cologne. ‘Listen to me, Alison,’ he says, releasing me briefly before cupping my chin and looking straight into my eyes. ‘I won’t let anyone hurt you. You have my word.’





31


June 2001


Ali


I deliberately didn’t bother about my appearance. If I had, it would have made me too nervous. ‘You’re going to Crispin Wright’s party like that?’ said Kitty, eyeing my pale blue jeans and simple white T-shirt. She rolled her eyes as though she were the older sister giving advice to a younger one. ‘Aren’t you even going to put on proper make-up?’

‘I’m wearing mascara,’ I said defensively.

‘Panda eyes, more like. I give up.’ Sulkily she went back to the sofa, where she was watching one of her mindless programmes. ‘Honestly, that party is wasted on you.’

‘Your time will come,’ said David. I hadn’t noticed him entering. ‘Anyway, aren’t you meant to be having a sleepover at Vanessa’s, princess?’

Kitty pouted. ‘It’s not the same.’

‘Your neck looks a bit bare,’ said Mum, eyeing me up and down. She was at the kitchen table, preparing some tree sketches for her local authority class to do on Monday. ‘Don’t you have a necklace, darling? Or something you could borrow?’ She looked meaningfully at my sister’s locket.

‘It’s mine. There’s no way you’re having this for the party,’ snapped my sister. ‘Or any other time either.’

The doorbell went. I didn’t want her stupid locket anyway.

‘Bye,’ I said, hastily heading for the door. But Kitty got there first.

‘Hi, Robin.’ Then she turned and yelled, even though I was just behind her. ‘Ali! Your date is here.’

Date? How embarrassing!

‘Sorry about that,’ I murmured, slamming the door behind me.

‘Sorry about what?’

‘My sister.’

He shrugged. ‘Everyone’s different.’ Then he gently put his hand in the small of my back as we crossed the road. That was strange. It was hardly like it was dangerous.