“What good would that do? ” I muttered, staring at the phone. The screen glowed with another message from Tyrone, another plea to just let it go. He knows I didn’t do this.
He’s known me forever. And still, he’s asking me to stay strong, to meet him in the Rovers after work. I told him I was fine, that I’d be okay in a few minutes. But I’m not fine.
I’m lost. If I’d known she was Theo’s ex-wife, I would have said something earlier. She dropped off the wedding cake hours before the reception. So why was she still wandering the streets so late at night?
I asked Ryan about it, but he just shrugged. Yeah, but not only that, Ryan, I pressed. Exactly. And what if Danielle thought the money was coming to her?
I do know how to do my job, I snapped back when he tried to give me advice. Any more instructions? Blimey, that didn’t take you long to switch sides. Then I bumped into him—Idris.
We just said hello, nothing more. But someone noticed. “Is something going on between you and him? ” they asked.
I shook my head. Not really. But then they pressed, “For the record, after me and your dad… is it inappropriate? ” I froze.
Are you saying that you and Idris have— No. No, but we did kiss yesterday. Just once. I said I had to love him and leave him, told him to text me.
I can look after myself. If anyone touches me car, I’ll kill them. I saw Tara and Gary together in the flower shop. He was leaning over her counter, laughing.
And then when she realized I’d overheard, she got so nervy. I’m telling you, there’s something going on there. She’s definitely into something. Two writers.
No, not that. I checked their social media again—it’s all gone. They deleted all their old posts. There’s still a few nasty things up there, but the main ringleader has left the building.
Maybe the police looking into it scared them off. Or maybe they just got bored and decided to start harassing somebody else. Then the police came back. “I’ve already answered these questions,” I told them.
But they wouldn’t let it go. “You called us in on Coronation Street, which was later the same night. Why didn’t you tell us you were on the street where Theo lived the night he was killed? ” I stared at them.
So, I take it you don’t think Summer killed him then? “Cuz if it wasn’t her,” I said, “then I’d be talking to her gay dad. She’s like fragile and angry at the same time. ” They asked for two pints, like we were old friends.
I told them no, sorry. Later, Todd came to me. He said he’d spent hours looking at all the evidence. “We’re going to have to consider all options, including the worst-case scenario,” he told me.
I’ll never give up on you. But if you’re convicted of murder, it’s a mandatory life sentence. I couldn’t do it. I told him I couldn’t handle it.
Todd was right. No, I know she didn’t do it, he said. But you’ve got to hold your nerve. If the police knew the truth, then I’m going to be facing some very difficult questions, and all I’ve done is try to protect you.
He said he had to tell them everything that really happened. What would that mean? Summer may be off the hook, but you’ll be the one who ends up in prison. My kids have suffered enough.
First they lose their dad and now this. If you had a shred of decency, you would hand it over. I plan to do exactly that. The one she should be investigating is you.
Ain’t nothing to tell us, I said. Do you believe that? She gave us a name and address and times. We’re looking into it now.
I sat in the pub, nursing my pint. Everyone was talking about the big meeting. Yeah, you must be so relieved, someone said. I’m not sure any troll has a conscience.
So, not quite champagne celebrating, then. I think I may have spoke too soon, I admitted. Taking no notice, she’s all bluster that one. Then I saw them—the two of them whispering in the corner.
You still want your two pints? I asked. No, you didn’t. Aw, thought you two done a runner.
Tell us what you were up to that night, I demanded. Well, maybe you should tell us what you were up to that night, eh? Right now, everyone is just worked up. But what if it doesn’t get better?
How could it get any worse? Let me tell you how it can get worse. You go to the police, you tell them what you did to Carl, you get charged for attempted murder. And then what happens to your family?
I looked around the room. Did I really do this? Is this the same person or someone else? It must be someone else.
What’s all that about? Have I had a number of failed relationships? We should be proud of our reputations. We never give up on the hope that this one will be the one.
Maybe we should go somewhere a bit more private for a nightcap. Well, come on then. Uh no, not really. All this is illegal, and no one should be allowed to conceal their identity online.
Not with your heart issues. These things don’t last forever. And anyway, I should be focusing on getting myself ready to go back to school on Monday. Right, tea will be about 20 minutes.
Uh no, I’m just tired. That’s all. You were all over the place this morning. Are you still fretting about what Summer said?
Yeah, that’s all.
