be in them? Not that Anna should be privy to her mother’s
private mail, of course. And maybe that’s all it was – the desire for privacy. It’s not like she’d want Muriel reading any letters
of hers either. It didn’t necessarily mean they contained anything untoward just because she’d moved them.
But it did feel like that was precisely why her mother had taken them from the drawer. Because she didn’t want Anna
finding something out that she shouldn’t. Or something Muriel
didn’t want her to know, at least. Curiosity, however, would
ensure Anna carried on searching for them. She assumed Muriel
had hidden them away in her bedroom now. One of the places
Anna wouldn’t go sneaking around in. Or couldn’t, as her
mother would know, being that she didn’t leave the house
without Anna. So, there’d be little chance for Anna to go
rummaging around in her bedroom. Plus, it would be wrong
to abuse her mother’s trust in her.
She wished she trusted Muriel.
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Too many niggles underpinned their mother–daughter relationship as far as Anna was concerned. Too many incidences
that couldn’t be swept under the carpet – irregularities that
couldn’t be explained. Having met Lizzie, and heard what she
had to say, Anna’s niggles had only increased. With Lizzie saying her memories of her childhood in Mapledon were sparse, and
the only thing clear in her head was that she’d been brought
into this house by Muriel and someone else when she was a
child, Anna felt she might be the only one who could now piece
the jigsaw together.
But she could only do that if Muriel were to be compliant
– if she openly shared the facts surrounding Jonie Hayes’ abduc-
tion and subsequent murder with her. And maybe with Lizzie.
The three of them could deduce who was hanging doll parts on Muriel’s door if they worked together. And if it did, in fact, turn out to be Billy Cawley, his own daughter might be the one to
stop him. Allow Muriel to live in peace. Allow Anna to go back
home, alone, back to Carrie and the life she’d created away from
Mapledon – the village of the damned. Anna laughed out loud
at this description. But it was an uneasy laugh. Behind the jokey nickname she couldn’t help thinking it was the perfect phrase.
Anna swung her legs out of bed, did her usual stretches to
realign her spine and then headed for the shower. She could
hear movements from Muriel’s room as she walked along the
landing – drawers being opened and closed – she was obviously
choosing clothes and getting dressed. Or, maybe she was moving
the stash of letters again. She’d need to get her mother out of
the house in order to have a good look. It was about time she
popped next door for a coffee, Anna thought. She’d try and
convince her to do that after breakfast.
Having let the hot water pound her body, Anna felt refreshed
and less achy. With a towel wrapped around her, she headed
back to her bedroom. She met Muriel coming the other way.
She was still in her nightie.
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‘Not getting dressed today, Mum?’ she said, lightly.
‘Oh, I might shortly. Just feel like a lounge day today. Didn’t
really sleep well.’
Muriel’s eyes – dull, with dark circles beneath them – backed
this up.
‘Oh. I guess that’s to be expected given the circumstances.’
Anna put a hand on Muriel’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
What had she been doing in her bedroom all the time Anna
had been in the shower if she hadn’t been getting dressed? ‘But
maybe if you grab a shower and get dressed, you’ll feel better.
You always used to tell me that, remember?’
Muriel looked blankly at her. ‘Oh, did I?’ She frowned. ‘I
used to say such stupid things. Would’ve told you anything if
it meant you got ready for school on time.’ She gave a weak
laugh.
‘Oh, I see – it’s all coming out now, isn’t it?’ Anna shot Muriel an over-enthusiastic smile before adding: ‘What other lies did
you tell me, eh?’ She said it in a joking way, although obviously meant it. Taking in the look on Muriel’s face, Anna could tell
she’d also taken her comment seriously.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Muriel’s eyes, which a
moment ago were dull, were suddenly wide, her pupils dilated.
‘It was a joke.’
Muriel pushed past and went down the stairs, leaving Anna
standing on the landing with a knot in her stomach. It was clear
her mother really had lied to her; it was the only explanation
for her reaction. She hurriedly dried and dressed and headed
downstairs too. She wanted to speak more with Muriel – tease
out some of the things that were bothering her.
Anna’s eyes were drawn to the mat by the front door. It was
clear. No blood bags or the like. But was anything on the exte-
rior of the front door? Her hand hovered over the lock, but she
withdrew it. Finding something now would detract from the
conversation she needed to have with Muriel. If there was
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something hammered to the door, it would still be there after breakfast – she’d deal with it then.
Her mum was sitting in her armchair in the lounge, eyes fixed
to the TV screen.
‘Haven’t you got a drink yet?’ Anna asked.
‘Thought I’d watch the news first.’
‘I’ll make it then. What do you want for breakfast?’
‘Toast will do,’ Muriel said impatiently, her attention not
wavering from the TV.
‘What’s happening in the world, then?’ Anna wondered what
was so captivating it prevented Muriel from looking away.
‘A girl’s body has been found on the moors,’ she said bluntly.
‘What? Really? How terrible. Near here?’
‘Yes. Shush, love. I’m trying to hear.’ Muriel scowled, turning the volume up to thirty-six.
Anna mumbled an apology and walked into the centre of the room so she could see the screen properly. The report was from
Spitchwick, an area about five miles from Mapledon and part
of the Dartmoor National Park. It had always been a popular
place for families to picnic and swim: a large, grassy bank ran
alongside a bend in the River Dart. Teenagers also flocked to
the area in summer, the cliffs further up the river drawing them
like a magnet – they dived from them into the water like
lemmings. Had that been what had happened now? A girl had
been killed diving into the water? The report was almost over.
She’d missed the key points.
Before Anna could ask any questions, Muriel jabbed the
off button on the remote and stood up. ‘Right, are we eating
then?’
‘Oh, you’re done are you?’ Anna let the sarcasm ooze.
‘It was a new body,’ she said, before slipping past Anna into
the kitchen.
‘Right, and so . . . that means?’
&
nbsp; ‘It’s not Jonie.’
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The penny dropped. Her mother had been so engrossed in the report because the headline had merely stated: Body of girl found on Dartmoor. Muriel had thought it could be Jonie Hayes’
body, finally found after thirty years. Anna felt a dragging feeling in her gut. Sadness? A hope that her childhood friend could be
put to rest – her family, the villagers of Mapledon, finally relieved of their burden?
Or, was the dragging sensation fear?
Anna closed her eyes for a moment, a dizziness washing over
her. Why should she be fearful of Jonie’s body being found?
Surely it could only be a good thing.
Unless deep down she knew there was a reason to be afraid.
‘Were you expecting it to be her?’ Anna asked as she flicked
the kettle on.
‘Not really. But the mention of a girl’s body and being found
close to here – there had to be a chance, didn’t there?’
‘Do you think Auntie Tina saw the news and would’ve thought
the same as you?’
‘If she saw it, yes – she would’ve. She’s been preparing for
news like that since Jonie went.’
‘Did she ever believe Jonie was still alive?’
‘I can’t remember now. I suppose at the beginning she
must’ve.’ Muriel’s eyes clouded. ‘We all did,’ she added quickly.
‘But with the evidence piling up . . . the hope was replaced by
the knowledge she was gone for good.’
‘Tina must despise Billy Cawley. Not only for taking Jonie
away, but also never revealing where her body was. It’s so cruel.’
‘She did become bitter, as you know. Not sure about how she
felt towards Billy though. By that point we weren’t as close, so
she didn’t confide her feelings to me anymore.’
‘Very sad. What do you remember about the time Jonie went
missing? Because I must admit, my memory of it all is really
hazy.’
‘I don’t want to drag it all up again, Anna. I’m so tired.’
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Excuses. Anna realised Muriel always made an excuse for why she didn’t want to speak about that time.
‘It bothers me, though. Like, I have this niggling feeling –
almost an ache – that I’ve forgotten something important. I
think you could help me get rid of it, Mum.’
‘I doubt I’d be much use.’
‘I think you would be. You could tell me about Lizzie – Eliza
– for starters.’
‘No, love. I’m afraid I can’t do that. Now, are you getting that
toast for me or not? I’m hungry.’
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Chapter Fifty-Three
2019
Lizzie
She didn’t think it was the best idea inviting Billy to the B&B, but it was the safest. For her, anyway. Gwen wouldn’t know what
he looked like, so Lizzie had dropped into conversation at break-
fast that her uncle would be visiting later. Yes, it was a lie, and she didn’t like to deceive Gwen, but for the moment it was the
only option. Soon enough everyone, including Gwen, would
know she was the daughter of a murderer, and at that point
Lizzie felt sure her welcome here would be revoked, so adding
to that one white lie wouldn’t make a whole lot of difference to
the inevitability of the outcome. To be fair, she might not be
giving Gwen enough credit – she might actually be fine with
Billy Cawley being at her B&B – it wasn’t as if he were staying in a room there.
Lizzie’s fingers trembled as she dialled Dom’s number.
Anticipation of the meeting with her dad, coupled with the fact
she’d not been honest with her husband, had caused anxiety
and guilt to combine; it was a heady mix.
‘Hey, babe. How’s it going back home?’ she asked, keeping
her voice light and breezy.
‘Missing you. Work’s shit. I’m bored. You?’ he rattled off.
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at hearing Dom’s deep, smooth voice. ‘Ah, you know. Busy, but missing home,’ she said. Then added quickly, ‘Missing you, of
course.’
‘Thanks for remembering me right at the end there.’ He
laughed. But Lizzie thought it sounded hollow. He really was
upset with her.
‘I love you, stupid. Obviously, I’m missing you – it goes
without saying.’
Her statement was met with silence.
‘Is everything okay, Dom?’ Her heart fluttered nervously, an
uneasy feeling creeping through her.
She heard a long sigh.
Shit, what’s wrong? What’s happened?
‘Dom?’
‘It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.’
Lizzie let out her breath, but her concern didn’t dissipate.
Something in Dom’s voice told her she should worry. She wres-tled with the idea of pressing him, versus letting it go for now.
If there was something bothering him, it would be better to
speak about it face-to-face, not now, while they were a hundred
miles apart. And not just prior to the visit from her father.
Another pang of guilt hit her. She really should tell Dom about
Billy.
‘Are you sure? We can chat if you need to.’ Lizzie swallowed
the lump that had formed in her throat.
‘Really? I’m not sure you can talk to me, can you?’
That was it. Whatever was on his mind was to do with Lizzie,
something. But what?
The solicitor’s letter.
Where the fuck had she put it? She’d been in shock when
she’d opened it, had only partially read it. She felt sure she’d
torn it up and thrown it in the bin. But maybe she hadn’t. Or,
he’d somehow retrieved it, read it. In which case, he already
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knew she’d lied to him – had been lying during all their time together. She had to try and salvage this.
‘I’m not sure what’s up, Dom, but of course I can talk to
you. Although, maybe now isn’t the best time. I think we need
to talk in person—’
‘Come home, Lizzie. Now. Leave Mapledon and drive home.
We can talk tonight.’
Lizzie hesitated. As much as she was desperate to talk to Dom
and limit the damage, she had to see this thing through now.
Had to meet Billy, find out what he had to say. Then continue
to put together the shattered pieces of her childhood. Get to the bottom of whatever happened here thirty years ago.
‘I can’t travel back today, Dom. I really want to speak with
you properly – I’ve got some things I have to tell you. But I
need to finish up here first. It’s an “I’ve started so I’ll finish”
kind of thing I’m afraid. I’m making headway on the story. I
just need a bit more time.’
‘Fine. Take all the time you need. I guess I’ll be here when
you decide to come home. When you decide you want to confide
in your bloody husband.’
The line went dead.
Lizzie felt weak. Drained. The last thing she wanted was to
mess up her marriage. She was being irresponsible. She owed
her life to Dom; she shouldn’t be shutting him out. She certainly shouldn’t be prioritising her murdering father over him. What
was it she’d told herself before coming to Mapledon? She wasn’t
going to let the man who’d ruined her life thirty years ago do
it again.
Yet here she was, allowing him just that opportunity.
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Chapter Fifty-Four
1989
Mapledon Primary School
Monday 19th June – 1 month before
‘I’m going to play elastics with Amber – we need a third person,
so you have to come and play,’ Jonie said as she dragged Bella
by her upper arm into the playground. Bella spluttered a few
words in dispute – she was about to go into the hall for lunch
– but quickly realised she was wasting her breath. If Jonie had
decided she was playing, she was. Food would have to wait.
‘I snapped mine. Do you have yours?’ Amber asked Jonie
when they reached the area to the side of the field. They always
played elastics there so the boys who were playing football on
the grass could see them. That was Jonie’s idea too; Bella wasn’t in the slightest bit interested in the grubby, disgusting boys at their school.
‘Yeah,’ Jonie said, pulling the white length of elastic from her
school bag. ‘I pinched it from my mother’s sewing basket last
night. I think it’s long enough.’
The girls stretched it out, then knotted the ends together.
‘Perfect,’ Amber said. ‘Right, I’ll start; you two stand at each
end.’
‘Get over!’ Jonie shouted. ‘It’s my elastic. I’ll say who goes
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first.’ She scowled at Amber. Bella lowered her head, not wishing to make eye contact with Amber, to see her embarrassment.
Jonie was such a cow sometimes. Always having to be boss. But
at least she wasn’t shouting demands at Bella. Yet.
‘Go on then,’ Amber said, stepping into the elastic and placing
it around her ankles. Bella did the same.
‘Hope you’re ready to be beaten. You know I can get to