The Therapist(86)

The thought that I might have been manipulated left, right and centre by the people I thought were my friends is overwhelming. Lorna tried to warn me, she had told me not to trust anyone. But I had ploughed ahead, unwilling to believe that people would lie to me. I should have listened to Edward too; instead of telling nobody I was leaving, I ended up telling everyone.

The sense of impending danger is incredible. I keep my eyes on the gate at the other end of the square, knowing I’ll only be able to relax when I can actually see Thomas. I feel a momentary anxiety. Maria will have gone back to work but what if Eve and Tamsin see Thomas as they walk back across the square from the restaurant? I imagine the two of them nudging each other when they see the tall, good-looking stranger striding along. Will they watch to see where he goes? What if they see him come to the house?

It doesn’t matter if they do, I realise. I don’t have to explain anything to them, I’m not even going to be here. I won’t have to admit that he’s the man who turned up at the party, I won’t have to tell them that I kept him a secret because I’ve been helping him investigate Nina’s murder – a murder which has now been solved. I think of Helen, how thrilled she’s going to be that at last, she’ll have justice for her brother.

And then I see them, Eve and Tamsin, coming into the square. I wait for them to turn towards Tamsin’s house but they stop in the middle of the path. Move! I urge them. Go! They’re huddled together, deep in conversation but that won’t stop them seeing Thomas. He’s not the sort of man to go unnoticed.

Except – he has. Not just at the party but also all the other times he’s visited me. There must have been people around as he walked across the square on his way over, or on his way back, but no-one ever mentioned seeing a tall, dark-haired stranger, despite everyone knowing that I was trying to trace a man who fitted that description. Because nobody really believed he existed.

Tamsin rummages in her bag for something. She begins to move towards her house, Eve following behind. I breathe a sigh of relief but at that moment, Tamsin turns and looks towards the house, her mobile clamped to her ear. I move from the window, hoping she hasn’t seen me. My mobile, which I’ve got in my hand, starts ringing, making me jump. It’s her.

A ring on the doorbell sets my heart racing. Thomas told me not to open the door to anyone. It might be the police; he said he was going to phone them. Maybe they’ve come in an unmarked car. I push my mobile into my pocket and run downstairs.

‘Alice, it’s me.’ Thomas’s voice comes through the door.

I open it quickly, blinking back the tears that have sprung to my eyes.

‘It’s alright,’ he says, catching sight of my face. He lays a steadying hand on my arm. ‘I’m here now.’

‘I watched for you coming across the square but I didn’t see you.’

‘I walked around the outside, I always do. I don’t like to draw attention to myself. Is that your phone ringing?’

‘Yes, but it’s only Tamsin.’

‘Are you sure? It might be the police. I gave them your number.’

‘Yes, look.’ I show him my phone.

‘Don’t you want to answer it?’

‘No, it’s fine.’ We move to the kitchen. ‘We had a row over lunch. I told you, she hates me asking questions about Nina.’ I point to the fridge. ‘There’s the photo.’

He peers at it. ‘I wonder why he put it here?’

‘It’s a calling card,’ I explain. ‘I realised this morning that there were other things I missed, things that I put down to Leo, like a rose on the window sill, a bottle of champagne in the fridge, a photo turned upside down. Each time, he does something – there must be other things I missed. It’s like a game. He’s been playing with me.’ I look up at him. ‘What did the police say when you told them about the photo and Tim’s connection to Nina?’

‘I left everything with my contact there and he went to speak to his superiors. I’m surprised they’re not already here.’

‘Let’s have coffee while we’re waiting.’ My phone starts ringing again and I groan. ‘Tamsin again. Maybe I should just answer it, get it over and done with?’

‘You may as well. But don’t take any stick from her. I’ll make the coffee.’

‘Thanks.’ I take the call, loving that he feels comfortable enough to take over.

‘Alice, don’t hang up!’ Tamsin’s voice comes urgently down the line. I don’t say anything, just wait for her to continue. ‘You said you were doing this for Oliver’s sister.’

‘That’s right,’ I say, hoping she feels guilty.

‘Oliver didn’t have a sister.’

I laugh. ‘Nice try.’ Thomas turns from the sink and gives me a smile, pleased to hear me stand up for myself.

‘Look, I knew Nina and Oliver really well and he told me he was an only child,’ Tamsin says. ‘Nina also mentioned it, his lack of a family, because his mother died when he was young and his father lived abroad.’

‘Don’t phone me again, Tamsin.’

‘Wait, there’s something else! The man that you said turned up at your party?’ My heart sinks. She and Eve must have seen Thomas walking around the outside of the square. ‘If it’s true that Lorna let him in,’ Tamsin goes on, ‘if he did exist, why did you never think that he might be Nina’s killer? Shouldn’t he have been the first person you thought of, instead of suspecting us? Because why would he have turned up at your housewarming, otherwise?’