The Killer Focus That Almost Killed Me by Margot Drew Delaney

Author:Margot Drew Delaney [MARGOT DREW DELANEY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SWARM Publishing
Published: 2023-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

DAPHNE

The morning on the lake had turned out to be rather pleasant.

Daphne hadn’t had to trouble herself with entertaining Gina in the canoe because they were facing in the same direction and couldn’t easily interact. For a couple of hours they’d floated and paddled lazily around, occasionally engaging in playful splash fights with Nate and Ryan. But as they trudged back up to the cottage, hungry and a little sunburnt, Daphne had noticed her neighbor on the dock, looking very much like she was asleep but actually watching them, Daphne suspected.

And after everyone retired to their rooms for some quiet time, Daphne—allowing the rolling bloom of domestic contentment to fully take over as she snuggled with Nate—decided she’d take charge of the situation next door.

At around four thirty, Nate and the kids finally left for the street party and left Daphne with the cottage to herself. Time to put her plan into action. She checked on the wine in the fridge—a bottle of chilled prosecco—then got two flutes from the cupboard and set them on the bench. She then strolled outside with her book as if she planned to do some reading. After only a couple of minutes, she felt the weight of someone’s gaze. A pull of attention. But she didn’t turn, not yet. She stretched languidly, then stood up and went to lean against the railing, as if soaking up the view. When she turned, now looking right at the neighboring cottage, she saw her neighbor standing in the nook in the corner, right on her mark. Daphne waved. The woman startled, clearly not expecting to be noticed, then waved back.

“Fancy a drink?” Daphne called, hoping her voice would carry into the house. “I have a bottle of bubbles but I need someone to share it with.”

After a moment of what appeared to be stunned immobility, the woman walked out onto the patio. “Um, Hi,” she said, seeming surprised Daphne was speaking to her.

“Will you join me in a drink?” Daphne repeated. When no reply came, she added, “I won’t keep you, just a quick glass to be neighborly.”

“Uh, sure.”

“Great, I’ll bring it over.” Daphne hurried into the house and grabbed the bottle from the fridge and the two glasses from the counter. Before she left, she made a quick decision to put on her large sunglasses. Better to stay hidden until she knew more.

“Finally, a bit of peace and quiet,” Daphne said with a smile, taking a seat at the patio set.

The woman was probably in her mid-twenties, but seemed, paradoxically, both younger and older. There was something immature in her expression, but she had a kind of stillness to her that aged her dramatically. Or perhaps it was her clothes: baggy shorts and t-shirt and a hat that looked like it belonged to her grandfather.

And now they were only feet away from each other, Daphne was absolutely sure they’d met before. But when and where?

Daphne handed her a glass. “Cheers. I’m Daphne, by the way.”

She nodded. “Jack.

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