Marie
One week ago
‘I… I…’ Marie’s hands were shaking, her teeth too. ‘I overheard Mum and Dad talking… planning, I suppose. The abduction… I—’
‘Mum didn’t know!’ Carly said.
‘She did… I heard them.’
‘When? Where were we?’ Carly’s eyes narrowed.
‘It was late. You were in bed, and Leah was asleep. I was wide awake, worrying.’
‘About what?’
Marie scratched her arm. ‘You, I guess. I was thinking you’d gone off us, that you preferred Dean Malden to—’
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ Carly snapped. ‘Tell me about Mum and Dad.’
‘Well, I crept downstairs and they were in the kitchen. They didn’t know I was outside the door. I was about to go in when Mum said, Tell me again and there was something in her voice that made me hesitate. Dad explained to her that, with the right media coverage, missing children can attract a lot of attention. People would donate money—’
‘Even if he said that, Mum would never agree. Why would she?’ Carly cut in.
‘She did say no… at first.’
‘What changed her mind?’ The expression on Carly’s face told Marie that she didn’t believe any of it.
It was a sharp and jagged truth and, as much as Marie didn’t want to share it, it was a relief in a way. She’d carried it alone for such a long time.
‘Dad said that… he said that if Mum didn’t agree then they would lose the house—’
‘So? Big deal. Loads of people move.’
‘And… and that we wouldn’t be able to stay together. He had a friend who would probably put up him and… me and Leah, but you and Mum would be on your own. Back to the council estate. He said you’d probably end up on drugs or worse.’
‘Well, that’s fucking ironic, looking at you.’ Marie didn’t blame Carly for lashing out.
‘Dad said it would only be for a couple of days and there wouldn’t be any lasting effects.’
‘Yeah, right.’ Carly jabbed her finger at Marie. ‘Junkie.’ She pointed a finger at herself. ‘Too scared to trust anyone and Leah…’
‘I know.’ Marie hung her head.
‘Christ.’ Carly pressed her fingers into her skull. ‘Sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you but… really? That’s all it took to persuade Mum?’
‘Dad really scared her. He said we’d all have to change schools. That me and Leah probably wouldn’t see her or you again. She was terrified. He told her that in time we’d forget it ever happened. “It will be just one small event in their long and happy lives,” he said.’
‘Yes, because we’re all so happy.’
‘He asked her to trust him,’ Marie said. ‘And I suppose she did.’
Neither of them spoke. The muscle in Carly’s jaw was pulsing, quick and angry. Marie felt it all again. The fear that she might lose her sisters but this time it would be all her fault. She should have said something before. Her stomach contracted, veins screamed, body craving a numbness that she couldn’t afford. Right now there was only Carly and the truth.
‘Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?’ Marie flinched as Carly swore at her. ‘In court Dad said he’d acted alone. Mum swore she didn’t know anything. They were lying. You were lying. Why didn’t you tell us before it happened?’
‘I wanted to but I thought I could talk Dad out of it. I tried, I really did.’
Carly rose to her feet and began to pace the room. Four steps to the window, turn. Five steps to the door. Marie’s breath hitched in her throat, afraid Carly would leave but equally hoping she would just go. Carly strode over to the bookcase. Giant angry steps for such a small oppressive room. ‘Tell me everything.’
‘Okay.’ Marie closed her eyes and she remembered.