Page 117 of Don't Believe A Word

As the final words jarred, Cristy looked up, almost as if expecting to find someone watching her, messing with her. No one was, and of course, the echo in Matthew’s text of what the weirdo had said in his latest was nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence, because Matthewreally wasn’t that creepy.He simply wouldn’t send anonymous messages designed to unnerve and annoy her. He had no reason to when he was pretty good at that anyway.

Messaging him back, she said,How’s Aiden?

Accusing me of being ‘de-lulu’ for thinking you’ll marry me again. I’m guessing that means delusional. Shall we prove him wrong?

Did he never give up?

How’s Baby Bear?

There was no reply to that until she and David were settled into their seats for the flight and a photograph of a wide-eyed, cute-as-a-bear-cub baby came through. Finding no accompanying message she typed in,Sweet, you must be very proud. When are you going to see him?

We’re both invited to LA any time we want to go. Fancy it?

Irritated, she switched from the thread and sent a quick message to Evie.Thanks to you all for your hospitality and for your frankness. I have it on good authority that Sasha is very keen to meet Gabe and Lukas.She read it through quickly, and pressed send.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

After a heart-stoppingly bumpy flight from Dublin to Guernsey, Cristy and David walked into the vaulted kitchen of his incredible home in the wooded heights of the island to be greeted by his mother, Cynthia, and the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cookies. To Cristy it felt like coming home, and simply seeing Cynthia’s dear, crinkled face before being hauled in for a hug made her once again think of her own late mother and how alike the two were. Sweet-natured, mischievous, sharp-eyed behind the scattiness, and somehow managing to exude warmth without even trying.

‘Where is everyone?’ David asked, going to fill two mugs with coffee and helping himself to a biscuit on the way.

‘Rosie’s at rehearsals for a new play,’ Cynthia replied, ‘and Anna’s … Ah, here they are,’ she said, as the back door opened and Henry the golden retriever burst joyously through and made a beeline for David.

Connor and Anna followed, Connor unravelling his scarf as he said, ‘Good flight? Great! We have news, only we’re not entirely sure what it is yet.’

Amused, Cristy sank down on a sofa saying, ‘OK, that sounds promising. Just tell me, has anyone locked up anyone else in the past few hours?’

‘Not that we know of,’ Connor replied, grunting as Henry jumped at his groin.

Dragging the dog away, Anna said, ‘Bad boy! Go say hi to Cristy.’

Immediately Henry bounded onto the sofa and launched into a hearty lick of Cristy’s travel-weary face.

‘Basket!’ Cynthia commanded.

Henry apparently enjoyed the taste of Cristy.

‘Basket,’ David commanded.

Henry cocked his head as though puzzled by the word, before promptly doing as he was told.

‘So what’s the news you’re not sure about?’ Cristy asked, sipping her coffee as Connor brought his to the opposite sofa. ‘Well, before we get to the big stuff, the landlady in St Peter Port was no help. She was too hazy on everything and who can blame her, considering how long ago it was, and how many people must have rented from her since.’

Clearly unable to wait any longer, Anna dived straight into the main news. ‘Sadie’s found something in Lottie’s journals,’ she declared. ‘She won’t tell us what it is until after she’s shown it to Mia and as far as we know that’s where she is now. I offered to go with her – Jasper flew to London this morning – but she told me she could handle it and she’ll call as soon as she’s done.’

Concerned, Cristy said to Connor, ‘Did you speak to her before she went off on this mission?’

‘I did and frankly she sounded kind of manic. I told her to wait, that we could be there in twenty, but she was determined to go alone. Obviously we went anyway, but we can’t get past the gates without a code.’

‘I’ll call the security company,’ David said, opening up his phone. ‘If I say it’s an emergency they’ll do an override and let us in.’

‘We’re waiting for Jasper to call back,’ Anna ran on, ‘but he’s in a meeting and can’t be interrupted. Obvs he has the code.’

Only half aware of David talking in the background, Cristy was envisaging all sorts of scenarios unfolding at the villa,none of them good. Nor was the thought of Gabe, Lukas and Evie waiting patiently, trustingly, to hear when they could meet their precious Sasha.

‘OK, thanks, Jeff,’ David said into his phone. ‘We’ll head over there now.’

Cristy and Connor were on their feet, and already half out the door when Anna suddenly cried, ‘It’s Sadie!’ and quickly clicked to take the call. ‘Hey! Are you OK? We’ve been worried.’ Shepaused, glanced up at Cristy and said to Sadie, ‘Where are you now?’