Girl A, Dan Scottow [best short books to read .TXT] 📗

have a point. I remember when this all happened. It was terrible. Very sad. And those kids were despised. Even her. She was acquitted, but the public weren’t happy with that. She was seven, for Christ’s sake. She couldn’t have known what she was doing.’

‘That’s only a year older than Daisy. I look at her and I think it can’t be possible, you know?’

‘Okay. So we don’t go to the police. What is the alternative? Do you have any idea who might be doing this?’

Beth thought for a moment, shaking her head.

‘I’m not so sure about Vicky. This all started happening around the time she showed up. And she clearly has some sort of weird obsession with the story, and with me.’

‘Right. Let’s keep an eye on that one. And for now I think you should avoid being alone.’

‘You can walk me to my car, then.’

‘You’re not driving.’

‘I’ve had two glasses of wine. I’ll be fine.’

‘Two big glasses of wine.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘If you say so.’ Margot held both hands up in surrender.

They walked together to the car park. They didn’t speak, and Beth was fine with that. She felt like she had said too much. She couldn’t remember the last time she had confided in someone like this. She had told Margot things she hadn’t even told Charlie.

She thought of Charlie. She thought of Mikey, and she felt ashamed. If she found out that Charlie had given his number to a pretty girl at a work night out, she would be mortified.

As they arrived at her car, she turned to Margot.

‘What do I do if he calls me?’

‘Who? Your stalker?’

‘No! Vicky’s friend, Mikey.’

‘Oh, Mr Sexy! I wouldn’t worry. People of that generation don’t call. They communicate solely by text message or Whatsup or whatever they call it.’

‘Okay. So what if he texts?’

‘Then you text him back. You haven’t done anything wrong, Beth. You are allowed to have male friends.’ She paused. ‘Just don’t sleep with him.’

Beth slapped Margot on the shoulder.

‘It’s not funny!’

‘You have nothing to feel guilty about. You’re married. He’s married. He’s clearly interested in your sparkling personality!’ She winked.

Beth opened the car door, climbing into the driver’s seat.

‘Now you are sure you’re okay?’ Margot fixed Beth with a teacher-like stare.

‘Positive. Can I give you a lift?’

‘No, don’t be silly. It’s in the opposite direction.’

‘I don’t mind, really.’

‘No, honestly, I’ll get a cab. I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me as soon as you’re home.’

Beth was about to pull the door to, when Margot leaned into the car.

‘Tell Charlie about what’s been going on. About the letter you got today and the text messages. He deserves to know. He’s a good man. You need the support of a partner at times like these.’

She didn’t wait for a reply. She simply closed the door and waved goodbye as Beth pulled away.

As Beth drove from town, she felt less embarrassed at having confided in Margot, and a feeling of relief washed over her instead. She had spent her entire life being independent. She had never needed anybody. She never even really needed Charlie. She loved him, but she didn’t need him. She tended to keep her problems to herself and dealt with things on her own. And that’s how it had always been.

Thinking of her mother briefly, her lip quivered as she blinked away tears, but pushed the memory from her head. Back to where it belonged.

As she recalled crying outside the bar, she hoped nobody from work had seen.

She headed out of town. The roads became less populated, and she relaxed. She knew she was likely to be over the limit, but she felt absolutely fine. She also knew that wouldn’t stand up in court if there was an accident. She drove slowly, cautiously.

Glancing in the rear-view mirror, the headlights of a car behind dazzled her. She checked the clock. It was nine thirty. Probably someone else heading home from the bars. It was rare anyone would be on the road out towards her house at this time of night. She turned left onto the country road which would eventually bring her home and was surprised to see the car behind take the same turn.

Her heart beat a little faster.

She told herself it was nothing to worry about and concentrated on the road ahead.

The last thing she wanted was to strike a deer, or worse.

She continued along the winding road, pressing her foot down slightly in an attempt to put some distance between her and the car behind.

But the other vehicle also increased its speed.

Beth felt uneasy. Her mouth was dry.

She pressed her foot down harder, watching the speedo climb up through the forties, fifties, and into the sixties.

The car behind did the same.

She tried to convince herself it was merely a coincidence.

Another driver heading home.

Her heart pounding, Beth suddenly turned right, off the road onto a narrow farm track, without indicating. It was the wrong direction, but she had to see what her friend would do.

Beth heard the squeal of tyres as the car behind made a sharp turn.

The driver flicked their headlights onto full beam. Beth was momentarily blinded and eased off the accelerator. The car behind drew closer. It was tailgating her, its bright lights dazzling her each time she glanced in her mirror.

She took the next available left turn, hoping it would bring her back in the correct direction. After a few minutes she felt relief as she approached a familiar junction. She turned right, back onto the road home, pressing her foot down to the floor. The relief faded fast as her pursuer came racing up behind her. Headlights dazzling once again.

Beth’s heart raced.

She increased her speed.

Her pursuer accelerated too.

She pressed her foot on the brake, and the car gained on her.

Beth held on to the wheel with one hand as she reached down for her bag. She rummaged around for her phone, finally grasping it between her fingertips.

As she pulled it from the handbag it slipped out of her hand and fell into the passenger-side