Page 69 of Worse Than Murder (DCI Matilda Darke Thriller #13)

I call round to Alison’s cottage for the first time since that shocking night. It seems like an age has passed when I ring the bell. At the same time, it feels like it was only yesterday.

I’m in a great deal of pain, still. My ribs are bruised, and I have a broken wrist. My black eyes have faded, but my hands look like I’ve been sparring with a heavyweight boxer. And lost.

Alison opens the door. She smiles and beckons me to enter.

Lynne has moved out of the farmhouse. It’s up for sale– house, land, paddocks, the lot.

She’s moved in with her daughter, but it’s only temporary as Alison has put her house on the market, too.

A fresh start is required for these two amazing women as they try to rebuild their lives and discover who they both really are.

Lynne isn’t here. She’s struggling to come to terms with everything that has happened, the fact she wasn’t living, merely existing, for thirty years in a coercive relationship.

The man she thought she loved, the man who had saved her, had been lying, manipulating and manufacturing her entire life.

She’s struggling for answers and each answer leads to more questions.

Today, she’s in Kendal seeing her therapist. It’s a long road to recovery, but she has determination. She’ll get there in the end.

‘Thank you for the flowers,’ Alison says as she brings me a mug of tea.

‘You’re welcome.’

Yesterday had been Celia and Jennifer’s funeral.

As much as the whole village had wanted to turn out to say goodbye, Lynne and Alison wanted it to be private.

As the twins were buried, at the graveside stood the surviving mother and daughter alongside Tania Pritchard, Lionel Bell and Claire Daniels, fully recovered and holding onto her stomach firmly.

She still wasn’t showing much, but she wanted to protect her unborn child more than anything.

‘Tania told me it was a beautiful service.’

‘It was. The sun shone. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky or a hint of breeze. It was perfect.’

‘How’s Lynne doing?’

‘She’s getting there. Yesterday really helped. I’m worried the court case is going to draw it all out.’

Lynne is facing a charge of arson and endangering life. Her defence is coercive control and while she is on police bail rather than on remand, the thought of a lengthy court case and a jury deciding her fate isn’t one she, or Alison, are coping particularly well with.

‘And how are you?’

‘Surprisingly, I’m doing okay. I think. My answer to that question changes depending on which day I’m asked,’ she says with a weak smile.

‘I’ve unlocked thirty years of pain and it’s a relief.

’ She looks brighter, lighter, for the first time since I met her.

Today is clearly a good day. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m getting there.’ It’s the most honest answer I can give. ‘It hurts when I cough and sneeze still. And laugh. And breathe,’ I smile. ‘Tania tells me you’re staying with the police.’

‘Yes. For now. I’m going to see how it goes. We’re looking at properties around Lancaster, maybe Preston. I’ve got so many friends here. I don’t want to be too far away, but I think I want something more than High Chapel can offer. I’m going to take things slowly.’

‘Good for you.’

‘Inspector Forsyth was telling me there won’t be any charges laid against you for what happened with Iain.’

‘No. I’ve dodged a bullet there. Has Gill said anything about…?’ I leave the question hanging.

‘It’s a slow process, obviously. It’s taken him a while to recover from being stabbed five times, but he’s admitted more or less everything,’ Alison said, clearing her throat.

‘He’s got a solicitor and he’s trying to blame diminished responsibility.

I’m going to fight him all the way. Mum and Claire, too. ’

‘It’s made you stronger, all this, hasn’t it?’

‘Tania told me that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I didn’t always believe it. I think I do now.’ She takes a sip of her tea. ‘Matilda, about that night… when Gill and I came to the house and you…’

‘Lost it,’ I finish her sentence for her.

‘I know exactly what happened. Gill practically broke her neck to give me all the details. I’m going to sort things out before I make any big life changes.

I’ve learned that it’s fine to run away, make a clean break of things, but you need to sort out your problems before you do so.

I know a good therapist. He’ll see me right.

’ I’m smiling so wide it hurts, and it has nothing to do with my bruises.

We sip our tea in silence.