Page 9

EIGHT

FRIDAY 24 JANUARY

Kate finishes speaking and waits for Rowan to say something. She’s just told him about being in Harper’s house, under the woman’s scrutinising gaze, surrounded by photos of Jamie. And somehow Kate has been forced to agree to see her again this afternoon.

Rowan’s hands form a steeple in front of his chin. ‘It doesn’t sound like you to give in to anyone, if you don’t mind me saying so. From what I’ve learned of you over the years – you don’t let people control you.’

‘I was sent some flowers,’ Kate says. ‘Dead lilies in a box. Covered in a sticky black substance – I don’t know what it was.’

‘I see. That’s troubling. And you think it was this woman who sent them?’

‘I don’t know, but when I was at her house she had some beautiful white lilies in a vase on her mantelpiece. And I know what you’re about to say. Lilies are often sent to people when someone dies. But…it had to have been Harper who sent me those flowers. She’s letting me know that she’s aware I spent the night with her husband.’

Rowan contemplates her words. ‘It’s possible. Did she make you feel angry?’

Kate’s head jolts up. She should have known Rowan would refer to her anger issues. ‘No. Not angry. Of course not – I feel sorry for her. Her husband has died.’

‘Then what did you feel?’

Rowan’s pushing her and Kate can feel anger bubbling. She must keep it at bay. Especially here with Rowan. ‘I just felt…anxious, I suppose. Being in her house like that only days after I’ve slept with her husband. And that’s the other thing – according to her they were very much together.’

‘So this man lied to you.’

‘Yes, I suppose. Or she’s lying.’

‘I can totally understand why this troubles you,’ Rowan says. ‘It must feel very unnerving, and perhaps she’s having trouble accepting that her marriage is over if she’s still got wedding photos up. But I hope you’ll trust me when I say that stranger coincidences have happened.’ He pauses. ‘In a sense, everyone’s connected in some way, through the people we know. So coincidences are only to be expected.’

‘If she’s lying about them being together then that’s disturbing,’ Kate says. ‘What does she want with me?’

‘Kate, the dead flowers aren’t evidence that she knows you spent the night with her husband. I think this is a problem you’re creating that hasn’t even happened yet. That’s what anxiety does.’

Kate knows this – but she also trusts her instinct. Rowan will never understand that, though.

‘But if you’re worried, you could lie low for a while. Let the dust settle. You don’t have to have anything to do with this woman if you don’t want to – you could cancel the arrangement for this afternoon.’

‘I’ll work it out,’ Kate says. ‘I always do.’

Rowan nods. ‘It does trouble me that you think this woman wants to harm you. Even if she did send those flowers, she could just be tormenting you. You haven’t said how you know she wants to hurt you.’

Kate doesn’t answer. Because Harper knows I slept with Jamie – she must do. And if she’s the one who killed him then there’s a chance she could do the same to me.

‘And I’m worried,’ Rowan continues, ‘that even if you believe this, you’re still inviting her into your home.’

Kate can’t tell Rowan that she’s doing this to keep Harper close, so she can find out what happened to Jamie. ‘The truth is, I don’t know which one of them lied to me. Harper or Jamie? There were wedding photos in her house, and wouldn’t her son have said something if they were divorced?’ And Jamie had been so convincing . ‘And I went to her house for Thomas’s sake,’ Kate explains. ‘He seems to really like her son, and I’m sure she wouldn’t do anything when her son is there. The boys really get on.’

Frown lines crease Rowan’s forehead, like tracks in sand. ‘I’m just not sure how healthy this is.’

‘They all talked me into it. I would never have agreed otherwise.’

‘This doesn’t sound like you, Kate. You’ve never struck me as someone who can be manipulated.’ He frowns again. ‘Which makes me wonder if there’s more to this story.’

‘You don’t believe that she wants to harm me – do you?’ she asks Rowan.

His mouth twists. ‘I think it must feel like that to you. But it’s all a bit messy. Especially if she’s grieving now. We can’t be sure what state their relationship was in. You and Ellis have worked hard to have an amicable split, but not everyone can manage that. And when people are hurt, they can act out of character. If you’re worried about this woman, then I’d stay clear of her. And if she does anything at all that threatens you in any way then?—’

‘Call the police.’

Rowan nods. ‘Please, Kate. I know you’d find it hard, but?—’

‘I think that’s time up,’ Kate says, pointing to the clock on the wall.

‘Oh, yes.’ Rowan stands and walks her to the door. He doesn’t look happy, and Kate knows it’s because he won’t feel that he’s been professional in this session. Handing advice out to her instead of allowing her to talk things through and come to her own conclusions. ‘Look after yourself, Kate. I’ll see you next week. Have you booked in with Frieda?’

‘Definitely,’ she assures him.

Outside in the reception area, Rowan’s secretary sits behind her desk talking to a tall woman in a long, belted wool coat and knee-high boots. She seems overdressed for a therapy session, and when the woman laughs, a deep, hearty laugh, and says Rowan’s name – Kate knows for sure she must be Rowan’s wife. Kate’s been coming here for two years now and has never set eyes on her.

‘Thanks, Frieda,’ the woman says. ‘I’ll pop in now, then.’ She smiles at Kate as she walks past, flashing bright white teeth.

Kate smiles back and watches the woman make her way to Rowan’s office, opening the door without knocking. Rowan seems so down to earth, so immune to money and material things that Kate would never have pictured him to have such a glamourous wife, so perfectly made up. So confident.

‘Would you like to rebook?’ Frieda asks.

Kate turns to her and considers telling her she’ll call on the phone and book, but Rowan’s appointment slots fill quickly and she needs him now more than ever. ‘Yes, please. Friday again. My usual time, please.’

‘Of course.’ Frieda smiles then taps on her keyboard.

Kate thanks her and walks out into the icy cold air, her thoughts a jumbled amalgamation of too many things, none of which make sense.

Ellis calls when she’s walking to the station, asking if they can talk.

‘I can’t now,’ she says. ‘I’m on my way to pick up Thomas.

‘It’s important, Kate.’

‘Is this to do with Thomas?’

There’s a pause. ‘Um, no. But?—’

‘Then it can wait. I’ll call you later.’ She hangs up and shoves her phone in her bag before disappearing into the Tube station.