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FORTY-THREE

TUESDAY 4 FEbrUARY

Kate’s aware of Rowan watching her as she pulls out a kitchen chair and sits close to him. She’s tempted to ram the knife into the expensive-looking leather, but holds back, aware that he could spring for the knife at any moment. She needs to be ready for that.

Rowan’s eyes are devoid of warmth, darker somehow, as he stares at her. ‘What exactly do you want, Kate? You want Daniella to find out about us?’ He smiles. ‘She won’t believe you,’ he whispers. ‘You’re a deranged ex-patient of mine, threatening to lie about me if I don’t continue being your therapist.’

Kate stands, and moves closer to him. ‘It’s gone way past that, Rowan. I don’t give a damn about you being my therapist. That’s the last thing I want.’ Words Kate never thought she’d utter.

Rowan flinches. This isn’t what he’s expected her to say. ‘Then what are you doing here? Is this about us? It’s been over for months. You know it was a mistake and I’m not going back there. I’ve got my wife and career to think about.’

The door opens and Daniella pokes her head in, forcing Kate to conceal the knife behind her back.

‘I’m just off out now,’ Daniella announces. ‘See you later.’ From the door, she blows Rowan a kiss then turns to Kate. ‘Nice to meet you.’

Kate waits until the door closes, then draws the knife again. ‘She’s so trusting, isn’t she? Leaving you here alone with me.’

‘Daniella has nothing to worry about. I would never?—’

‘Never what? Cheat on her for months. Sleep with a patient? Tell a patient that you can’t live without them. That’s what you said to me, isn’t it? Remember? I do. Every single time we were together. Those memories will never fade.’

Rowan stands up, and Kate holds up the knife. ‘Sit down!’

‘Woah, calm down.’ He holds up his hands. ‘Please, Kate, don’t do this. I’m sure we can work something out. Just give me the knife.’

‘Sit down!’ she shouts.

Finally he sits back down, and Kate lunges towards him, coming up behind his chair and holding the knife to his neck. She senses his fear, and this is what she wants.

‘Please, Kate. I’m sorry if I hurt you. I did really care about you. Those times we spent together meant a lot to me.’

It’s as if he’s reading from a memorised script, and Kate feels her body swell with rage. She thought she had a hold on her anger, but here it is again, erupting violently. She presses the blade against his neck, relishes his sharp intake of breath. Is this what Mona felt like when she killed Graham White? Kate will never know if it truly was self-defence, but she suspects otherwise. And now, ironically, Kate is in the same position.

She leans in close to Rowan’s ear. ‘Why the fuck did you do it?’

‘I told you. I fell for you. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have acted on my impulses. That goes against everything I?—’

‘Stop!’ Kate screams. ‘I’m not talking about that!’ With her free hand, she pulls out the sheet of paper from her coat pocket.

Rowan stares at her, and slowly she sees the moment everything becomes clear for him. Now he knows exactly why she’s here.

Kate clutches the knife tighter.