Todd knew Sarah was hiding something. He could feel it. She’d been acting strange ever since Theo died, and her constant excuses about the attack and Kit weren’t adding up. When she swore on Billy’s life that she’d told the police everything, he called her bluff.
It worked. “It was me,” she said. “I knocked the O off the scaffolding. ”
The confession came out in pieces.
Theo had been taunting her from the moment she got up there—calling her a slag, saying their dead baby was an abomination. He came at her with a bottle, and she swung a pole to defend herself. He fell. She didn’t call for help.
Instead, she called Gary, and together they covered it up. Todd felt the world tilt. He’d been living with the lie for weeks—suspected Gary, suspected Kit, even questioned his own sanity. Now the truth sat between them like a wall.
Sarah begged him to understand. She said she loved him, that she couldn’t bear to see him go to prison, but that she also couldn’t let Theo walk free. Todd saw her fear, but all he could feel was the loss of the life he thought he’d had. That night, he moved back in with George and Chrissy, telling them he and Sarah had argued.
It was easier than explaining the truth. But when Sarah walked into the Rovers later, drunk and desperate, she made a scene. She grabbed the jukebox, demanded her song, and cried about being free. Todd refused to look at her.
Gary and Maria watched from their table, uncomfortable. Then Sarah stumbled over to Maria, apologizing for the other night. Maria told her to get away. Todd finally stepped in, pulling her aside.
Sarah broke down completely. She said she’d tried to go to the station, but her legs wouldn’t carry her. She said she knew she didn’t deserve him anymore, that she was sorry for stealing his chance at justice. Todd felt his chest tighten.
He wanted to hate her. But all he said was, “This is it for you and me. We’re done. ”
The next morning, Summer and Nina moved into their new flat.
Roy gave them a train-shaped teapot as a housewarming gift, and Gary and Maria tried to act normal. But underneath the celebration, the truth sat heavy. Kit was still investigating. Sarah was still hiding.
And Todd couldn’t look at anyone without seeing the lie in their eyes. At the café, Todd crossed paths with Gary. “You know why Kit wants me for this,” Gary said. “He’s jealous.
He wants me out the picture. ” Todd shrugged. “He’s not stupid. No wonder you’re so desperate to pin it on someone.
Anyone but yourself. ” Gary frowned. “I didn’t kill Theo. ” Todd looked at him.
“No. Sarah did. ”
Gary froze. He opened his mouth to deny it, but nothing came out.
Todd watched him scramble for a lie, watched the guilt crawl across his face. “She was scared,” Gary finally said. “She was in shock. I helped her cover it up.
Doesn’t mean I’m a murderer. ” Todd shook his head. “You were willing to let Summer take the blame for it. ” Gary’s jaw tightened.
“Summer’s out of that now. She didn’t do it. No one can prove anything. ”
“Right in front of his nose,” Todd said.
“That’s what you keep saying. ”
Gary glanced around the café, lowering his voice. “Look, Kit has it in for me. He wants me to go down for this.
But the truth is, he doesn’t care who did it. He just wants a conviction. ” Todd stared at him. “And you’re going to let him pin it on you?
” Gary gave a bitter laugh. “I don’t have a choice. Sarah’s scared. She can’t handle the prison.
I’m not letting her go down for this, Todd. Not after everything. ”
Todd walked away without responding. He had to think.
He had to decide what to do. Later that night, Todd found Kit at the station. “I need to talk to you,” he said. Kit looked up from his desk, surprised.
“About what? ” Todd hesitated, then said, “Sarah. The night Theo died. ” Kit’s expression hardened.
“What about it? ” Todd swallowed. “I know what happened. ”
Kit leaned back in his chair, studying him carefully.
“So you know Sarah lied to me. You know she’s been lying this whole time. ” Todd shook his head. “She was scared.
She didn’t know what to do. ” Kit stood up. “She killed a man, Todd. And you want me to feel sorry for her?
” Todd took a breath. “She didn’t mean to. Theo attacked her. She was defending herself.
” Kit’s voice dropped to a cold whisper. “Then she should have called the police. Instead, she called Gary. And they’ve been covering it up ever since.
”
Todd felt his pulse quicken. “Are you going to arrest her? ” Kit shook his head. “I can’t.
I have no proof. Gary’s the only one who’s in the clear, and he’s not talking. ” Todd frowned. “So you’re just letting it go?
” Kit laughed bitterly. “I’m not letting anything go. I’m just waiting for the right moment to strike. ”
Detective Kit Green sat back, a steady fury in his gaze.
“I plan to arrest Gary for Theo’s murder. It’s the only way I’ll ever get justice. Sarah’s not going to pin this on herself, and you’re not going to say anything, are you? ” Todd looked away.
“No. ” Kit nodded. “That’s what I thought. ”
But Todd wasn’t done.
As night fell, he made his way back to Sarah’s flat. She was sitting alone in the dark, her face drawn and tired. “What do you want? ” she asked.
Todd sat down across from her. “I can’t let you go to prison. And I can’t let Gary take the fall for something you did. That’s not fair.
” Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “I know. But I can’t do it. I can’t tell them.
” Todd reached for her hand. “You have to. It’s the only way. ”
Sarah stared at him, her voice cracking.
“If I do that, I lose everything. My kids. My home. You.
” Todd squeezed her hand. “You already lost me. Everyone. I’m not going to stand by and watch you destroy yourself.
” Sarah pulled her hand away. “So what’s the plan? You’re going to turn me in? ” Todd sat back, conflicted.
“I don’t know yet. But I can’t live with this lie anymore. I can’t carry it. ”
Sarah stood, backing away.
“Then get out. I don’t need you to save me. I don’t need anyone. ” Todd didn’t move.
“Sarah—you’re not the only one who’s been living with guilt. I’ve been living with it too. I should have seen the signs. I should have known.
” Sarah shook her head. “You couldn’t have known. No one could. ” Todd stood up.
“But I know now. And I can’t pretend otherwise. ”
Sarah’s face crumpled. “Please don’t do this.
Don’t make me face this alone. ” Todd stepped toward her. “I’m not going to let you face it alone. But we have to tell the truth.
” Sarah shook her head fiercely. “No. I can’t. I’ll be a monster.
Everyone will hate me. ” Todd took her by the shoulders. “You’re not a monster, Sarah. You made a mistake.
You reacted in a moment of terror. That doesn’t make you evil. ” Sarah’s voice was barely a whisper. “It doesn’t?
”
Todd shook his head. “No. It doesn’t. ”
But even as he said it, Todd knew the truth had to come out.
He just wasn’t sure he had the strength to tell it. Or the courage to live with the consequences.
