Underneath (26 page)

Chapter 19

I carefully replace the items in the case, remembering the order of them, and get back into bed. Part of me wants to take the case and run, but instead I lie there, thinking there has to be some other explanation. Monique is my best friend. She’s shown no sign of knowing Bettina, yet there are old pictures of her. The picture with Danny indicates Monique was either a fan, or worse, a lover. It makes no sense. Why do things to me? What have I done to Monique other than be a good friend? Is this part of Bettina’s plan? Are they in it together?

I stare at the ceiling, my heart thumping. What should I do next?

I need to get out of here.

Or do I confront her?

There must be some logical explanation.

I decide I’ll stay here tonight. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go. Tomorrow at breakfast, I’ll tell her the news about Danny if it hasn’t broken already and watch her reaction. Maybe she’ll give some clue in her behaviour that’ll point me in the right direction?

Or maybe I just should get out now, while I have the chance?

But then I’ll get no answers. No, I’ll stay.

My thoughts circle like a car on a roundabout.

At six I get up as I’ve barely slept anyway. I fix some coffee and toast for myself and Monique. Around half an hour later she enters the kitchen and stretches, reminding me of a slinky cat. She smiles at me and I smile back, hoping my face gives nothing away, whilst feeling like tormented prey.

‘Did you sleep okay?’ she asks.

‘Yes, thank you. That spare bed is surprisingly comfy. Other than a quick wee I was out like a light.’

‘That’s good. I really enjoyed you coming over.’

‘Er, yeah, it was great. I’m going to have breakfast and then head back home, I fancy doing some baking.’ Another lie, in truth I have nowhere to go, and I’m not sure what to do.

‘Are you baking your cupcakes? I can’t remember the last time I had one, you should have made some yesterday before you came over.’

‘Never thought. I’ll bring you some soon, promise.’

‘Right, well I’ll head to the shower. Do you need one?’

‘No I’ll just freshen up and get showered at mine. I’ll see you in a bit.’

I stick on a bit of TV whilst I eat my breakfast and then get dressed. When Monique leaves the shower I head in and have a quick wash, brush my teeth and stick my hair back in a ponytail. Looking in the mirror I think if the circles under my eyes get any darker, I’ll look like I’ve been run over by dirty tyres. I gather all my things together, ready to leave and then head back into the lounge to say goodbye to Monique and mention Danny to her. I see she’s reading the newspaper, her face is deathly white and her head is in her hands. I reverse my steps back into the bathroom quietly and make more noise on my way out. When I re-enter her face is perky. She looks up at me like a gossip columnist who’s been in the toilet next to a drug smoking supermodel, scoring an exclusive. ‘You’ll never guess what? Bettina’s husband’s been arrested,’ she says.

‘Yeah, she told me yesterday.’

‘You spoke to Bettina yesterday? Why would you see her? Why didn’t you tell me last night?’ she shouts with uncharacteristic force.

‘I didn’t think you’d be interested. It’s not like you know them.’

If I hadn’t known to look for it, I would have missed the split second hesitation before her reply.

‘Course not, but it’s major gossip. Sorry, I got a little overexcited, we kind of know her.’

‘No worries. Anyway, I need to get off so thanks for a—’

‘No, no, no. You can’t leave me without info. How come you saw her? Tell me what she said. It says he pushed someone. Does she think he’ll get off? Seems unfair if it was an accident.’

‘She was there when I got home yesterday, saying she wanted us to know, and that whatever has gone on between us, she still wanted the boys to be able to play as Tyler needs some stability, especially with what’s happening with his dad. Other than that she didn’t have much to say, other than he’s being charged with manslaughter cos he punched the guy and he banged his head.’

‘Is she going to see him?’

She’s not interested. She’s his ex-wife now, so it doesn’t really concern her.’

‘She’s got Danny’s son.’

‘Her priority is to keep Tyler away from it all, and from the press.’

‘So do you think he’ll get out?’

‘I’ve no idea, but he’s not known for his mild manners is he?’

‘Yes, but can you believe Bettina? Look what she’s been doing to you. You only have what his poisonous ex-wife says. I’m sure he’s an alright bloke really. Maybe she set him up too?’

“She can rot in hell for all I care. She came and told Niall yesterday about Danny. I asked her to leave as soon as I arrived home. I doubt I’ll have anything to do with her again, and I’ll phone the police again if she starts anything.’

‘That’s good. Hopefully you’ll get back on your feet if she’s out from under your hair.’

‘Well I live in hope. Anyway you’re going to be late for work if you keep on yakking. Who’d have thought – Monique Henry – gossip queen.’

She folds up her fist like a microphone and talks in a reporter style voice. ‘Keep in touch, and let me know if there are any new developments.’

‘I will.’

‘She was alone with Niall when you came home? You need to watch her.’

I nod, grab my overnight bag and head out of the door. I walk calmly down the path towards the stairs, thankful that the driveway isn’t visible from Monique’s apartment and then I run, feet crunching in gravel, across the car park. I throw my things in the car, jump in the driver’s seat and reverse out of my space. I need to tell Niall what I’ve discovered and fast.

I race through the door when I get home, seeing the car outside and noting that Niall has not gone to work for a third day. I find him in the garden digging the hole required for the garden pond he wants. He looks at me and wipes the sweat from his brow and walks towards me.

‘Lauren.’

I can barely get out my words due to being out of breath. ‘It’s Monique... Niall, I was in her room last night and ..’

He throws down the spade and clutches his temples. ‘Good God. You nearly drove Bettina to a nervous breakdown, and now you’re starting on Monique?’

‘But I–’

‘No, I’m not listening to this right now. Look, is there somewhere you can stay another night or two? I’ll tell Joe you’re on a mini-break. He’s used to you abandoning him to babysitters whilst you float off anyway.’

Tears fill my eyes. ‘My son is everything to me, don’t you dare. Sulk away today, Niall, I’ll be back tomorrow. Hopefully by then you’ll have grown up.’

‘I need some time to think.’

‘You can have today.’ I stride away from him, picking up my overnight bag from the doorway. I run upstairs and add some clean undies and then go back out the door. I now have another day to find something to do. I need to make a plan of what to do next. However glancing at my watch I see that at the moment it’s only just turned half nine. I decide to drive down to the local cinema which is about ten minutes away; there are always some early showings so I decide to kill a couple of hours in there.

After the film I look over the entertainment complex and decide to lunch in the local pizza place. Honestly I have never eaten so much rubbish in my life as I have the last few weeks. I order a coke, and whilst I wait for my pizza, I take my cupcake design notebook and pink biro out of my bag and turn it onto a fresh page. I need to think and make a plan, and when I make plans I make lists. I consider who can help me to get through to Niall and come up with either the most logical or most stupid plan ever. Seb. Seb could help me to make Niall see sense. He’ll be gone in less than two weeks. Anyway, what do I have to lose? I write on the list:

1. Ring Seb.

I also need to see Bettina. I need her to wrack her brains and see if she remembers Monique from anywhere.

2. Try to find a way to get Bettina to meet me.

That’s a start.

3. Maybe speak to Dr Love?

I’m unsure of this as a plan. If Monique has set Niall up then this could tip her off that I’m onto her. Now I’m annoyed that I didn’t bring the photos and jewellery with me, but I didn’t want her to get suspicious. I just don’t understand why she would do this to me. My pizza arrives and I pick at it, struggling to find an appetite. Then I start thinking again, and regret not taking any evidence, maybe then Niall would believe me.

There’s only one thing for it.

3.
Maybe speak with Dr Love?
Go back to Monique’s.

I stare at my piece of paper for a while whilst eating a little more pizza. I doodle in the corner, drawing a sun and turning it into a happy face. Then before I know it, I’ve drawn lightning striking it and rain pouring. I get out my phone and send Seb a text.

I’m sorry to bother you yet again, but I need to ask you a favour. Can we meet at usual pub?

Luckily for me it’s the school lunchtime and I get a text back quickly.

I can be there by four. PS You never bother me Lauren.

A minute passes. I get another,

Actually that’s not true. You make me extremely hot and bothered.

I smile and wonder if he will ever actually change. I wipe my mouth with a napkin and ask for the bill.

It’s just gone one and I have until four to do something. I go back to the cinema to pick something else. This morning I chose a comedy in a feeble attempt to cheer myself up. This afternoon I’m plumping for an ass kicking spectacular. On my way out, sitting in the car, I send Monique a text.

Trying to sort stuff out at home. Be in touch soon xxx.

I need to keep things as normal as possible. I drive to the pub with my mind so full of current happenings, that when I arrive I’m not entirely sure how I got there. I don’t remember even being conscious of the traffic lights.

Seb is already at the pub. He looks as gorgeous as ever. Dressed in his nerd gear, I want to take off his glasses and rough up his hair. Still furious with Niall, I order a glass of wine. However I’m mindful of the fact I can’t drink much more as I need to drive to a local hotel for the evening.

‘So, much as it’s nice to see you, Lauren, what’s this all about?’

I take a large mouthful of wine. ‘Niall was sent a picture of us kissing at my house. Now he’s convinced we had an affair. I want you to come and tell him it’s not true.’

He splutters. ‘I don’t bloody think so. Not sure I fancy a cosy meet up with your hubby.’

I bite my lip and try to stop my tears. ‘Please....I’m desperate. He’s kicked me out and won’t let me see Joe.’

His brown eyes seem to darken to black. ‘He’s a total fucking dick, then. Can’t he see what he has?’ He taps his foot on the floor. ‘I’ll think about it okay?’

I wipe my eyes. ‘Thank you.’

‘Is that all you want me for? I have marking to do.’

I grab hold of the top of his hand across the table. ‘Please, don’t go.’

‘Christ, Lauren, what do you want from me? I feel like a bloody yo-yo.’

‘I’m on my own.’ I neck my glass of red. ‘Please stay and have a meal with me. I hate being alone.’

He sighs. ‘I need to get away from this – from you.’

‘Yes,’ I spit. ‘That’s what everyone seems to want, to get away from me. At most points in my life I appear to have been some diabolical person that everyone needs to be rid of.’

I go to the bar to order another glass of red wine. Sod it. I’ll have a bottle. I’ll order a taxi to the hotel and leave the car here. I smirk. I might just leave it with the door open and the engine running so Niall gets a call from the police and goes frantic, it would serve him right. I sit back down and drink another large mouthful. The blackcurrant and cinnamon flavours warm my mouth.

‘Don’t you think you should slow down? You’ll be flat on your back before long,’ Seb warns.

I look defiantly at him. ‘Isn’t that where you want me anyway?’

I hear his breath hitch. ‘I’m going to order some food, and get you some so you don’t fall over.’ He rises from his seat and goes to the bar.

Whilst he’s gone I finish off the current glass of wine and pour myself another. I can already feel it’s going to my head. I feel this slight sensation of being in a greenhouse, as if I can see everyone but there’s a distance between me and them. I like it. I’ll stop after a third glass as I know I’ll be prone to vomiting if I drink any more, lightweight that I am. But one more glass with some food, I should be able to manage and if not, who cares? Seb can call me a cab.

When he returns I follow on from my train of thought.

‘I’m going to stop at the Novotel. If I’m a bit squiffy, dial me a cab.’

He picks up the remainder of the wine and moves it out of reach. ‘That’s you done for the night. Don’t do anything you’ll regret tomorrow, Lauren.’