Blood Loss by Kerena Swan (good beach reads .txt) 📕

said. ‘My mum passed away last year and left the bungalow to me.’

Paton wasn’t interested in her family history but he nodded politely. ‘How long have you known your neighbours?’ he asked.

‘That neighbour…’ She nodded towards the house he’d just visited. ‘About a year. Britney. Flighty by name and flighty by nature.’ She sniffed then leaned forward. ‘Between you and me I think she sees lots of men to help pay her bills, if you know what I mean.’ She tapped the side of her nose then leaned back, folding her arms. ‘Always got different visitors.’

Could Britney be the woman who spent a week in the lodge with Robert Nash? Paton pulled a photograph of Nash from his folder. ‘Have you ever seen this man come to the door?’

She took the picture and studied it. ‘No, I don’t think so; he’s not her usual type.’

‘Do you have any idea when Britney will be back? Does she work?’

‘She’s on holiday. I saw her and a group of girls all wearing matching T-shirts and carrying suitcases. Made a terrible racket going out to the minibus.’

Disappointment sank like a cold soufflé in Paton’s stomach. ‘When did she leave?’

‘A couple of days ago. I’ve got two weeks of peace and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.’

Two weeks! Paton wasn’t sure what to do now. He could suggest to the SIO that they track Britney down and bring her back to the UK as a suspect but he wasn’t sure if he’d got the right woman. He needed to see the contents of the suitcase from the skip and also find out if the DNA and fingerprints matched those left in the cabin. Could Britney also be Trina? Did she disguise herself?

‘Could you describe what Britney looks like?’ Paton was about to pull the photofit picture of Trina from the folder but paused when Betty described the woman next door.

‘Tall, long dark hair, big built and fake, if you know what I mean. She has those ridiculously long eyelashes and thick eyebrows and her skin is orange.’

This was nothing like the woman from the café. No one could disguise their size and bone structure. The waitress had described the woman at the café as slim and delicate. Could Robert Nash have been seeing more than one female or was Paton pursuing the wrong lead?

‘One last question. Was Britney away for any length of time in February?’

‘Sadly not. Her music was particularly annoying every night and February was no different. This is the first time she’s been away this year but hopefully not the last.’

Sadly not, indeed. This definitely couldn’t be the woman they were seeking if she was here throughout February. She must have visited Perthshire for the day while the killer must have driven past Manchester towards the south.

Chapter 43

The Following September | Jenna

I expect Mrs Kingston, the twins’ mum, to invite me in with her usual smile but instead she steps outside and pulls the door almost shut as though she doesn’t want anyone inside the house to hear what she has to say. ‘I’m sorry, Jenna, But I don’t need you to look after the twins anymore.’

I’m taken aback. ‘Have I done something wrong?’

‘I… Er… My mother will be looking after them.’

‘I thought your mother lived in Cornwall?’

‘She’s coming to stay for a while.’

‘How long for? I could take a week or two off,’ I say, even though I know from the way that Mrs Kingston won’t meet my gaze that there’s more to this than a visit from her mother.

Mrs Kingston sighs. ‘I’m afraid I don’t want you back, Jenna. I know we don’t have a contract or anything but I’ll pay you for today and tomorrow.’

I reel back as though she’s slapped me.

‘I don’t understand. The children like me. I thought you were pleased with me.’

‘That was before.’

‘Before? Something’s happened, hasn’t it?’

‘I don’t want to get into it, Jenna.’

‘You can’t just fire me without an explanation!’

She chews on her lip then seems to come to a decision. ‘All right, if you must know, I don’t feel I can trust you anymore.’

‘Can’t… But why? What do you think I’ve done?’

‘I’ve had a call from someone who was concerned.’

‘About what?’ I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

‘You were seen at the park with the children. Someone saw you smacking Jake quite hard for being naughty. Only on his bottom, but I can’t accept physical punishment of my children. If they were misbehaving, you should have reported it to me.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. What does Jake have to say about it?’

‘I haven’t asked him. I don’t want to take this further, Jenna, but I don’t want you near my children again.’

‘But it isn’t true! Who called? Was it someone you know?’

‘She just said she was local. Perhaps when you have children you’ll understand why I can’t take any chances with them.’ She slips back into the house and shuts the door.

I stand in shock, tears filling my eyes. How could she take the word of a stranger against mine? How could she turn on me like this? I’ve been looking after her children all summer and I thought we were almost friends. I lift my hand to ring the bell but hesitate. I feel betrayed by her.

I lower my hand and turn away then walk slowly down the hill towards home. I would never hit a child. I won’t even squash flies and when I put spiders out for Mum I put them gently on the ground so they don’t break their legs. I have the deepest respect for all living things.

Is this a mistake? Has this local woman confused me with someone else? Or is she the sort of person who’d have sent poison pen letters before telephones were invented? Is she directing her malice at me in particular or am I just one of several victims? I haven’t heard of any other malicious calls but that isn’t to say they haven’t been made. Perhaps other victims