Page 52 of Perfect Wives

‘We can’t kill someone,’ Beth said. ‘We’re not those people.’

‘What do we do then?’ Georgie asked, just as frustrated. She’s always been an act now, think later, damn the consequences kind of person.

‘Nothing,’ was Beth’s reply. ‘We call Keira’s bluff. She’s the murderer, not us.’

‘But that recording,’ Georgie said. ‘We just talked about this – if it gets out, our lives are ruined.’

‘Then we have to hope Keira is bluffing because we’re not murderers,’ Beth replied.

Georgie took some convincing, but Beth kept pushing and for once even Georgie agreed. So we did nothing.

It only made everything worse.

‘Tasha?’ Sató’s voice makes me jump.

‘This isn’t just about the murder of Jonny Wilson,’ I say again, forcing a strength into my voice that I hope Georgie would be proud of. ‘There’s a police report from the country lanes around Fordly Woods on Thursday night. It’s connected to everything,’ I add, allowing the tears to consume me. Giving in. Crumbling. I bury my face in my hands, knowing Sató is running out of patience.

A chair scrapes. Sató stands. ‘I’ll give you a few minutes to compose yourself while I find this police report you claim exists,’ she says. ‘Would you like some water when I return?’

I shake my head. I want to go home.

Except I don’t know what home means anymore. There’s so much more to this than Sató understands. We thought we could ignore Keira’s demands. Move on. As if that was ever an option.

I really didn’t want to kill anyone.

4 DAYS EARLIER

Magnolia Close WhatsApp Group

Tuesday, 14 October, 7.32a.m.

Andrea (No. 7)

Did anyone catch the local news this morning? The police have said they’re close to making an arrest in Jonny’s murder. I’ll be glad when this is all over. It’s been a week since they found his body. How much longer is it going to take?

Ryan (No. 9)

Like I said – it has to be one of us. Who had a key to Jonny’s place?

Bill (No. 5)

We had a spare key when the Gallaghers were there. We kept hold of it for a while, but Jonny asked for it back a few months ago. He wanted someone else to keep hold of it.

Beth (No. 3)

Please, everyone, let’s not start accusing each other.

Andrea (No. 7)

I agree. This will all be over soon, and we’ll all need to live with each other.

Ryan (No. 9)

Not us! We’re moving as soon as this investigation has blown over.

Ryan has left the group.

Dan (No. 9)