The Love Trap: an unputdownable psychological thriller by Caroline Goldsworthy

Author:Caroline Goldsworthy [Goldsworthy, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gordian Knot Publishing Ltd
Published: 2020-12-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Four

Lily

When I ran the conversation with Stephanie over again in my mind, I began to feel I might have exaggerated Topher’s shortcomings. However, since he was spending less time at home and focussed on other matters when he was here, I’d finally begun to enjoy life. Without Topher creating the constant need to tiptoe over eggshells, the children were happier and better behaved. They were sleeping and eating better. Even the nursery school told me that Darcy was chattier and starting to make friends. This is what life could be like without my husband in it and, for the first time in many years, I was looking forward to the future.

I skipped down the stairs and, once again was drawn to the music room. I’d wanted to make so much of this room. I’d imagined it filled with life, tutoring students, but since the car crash and the assault allegations I haven’t felt inclined to advertise. Even private students I’d seen in the past have stopped attending my classes.

Whilst I was angry people chose to believe the allegations, allegations I know to be lies, I had lost the trust of the parents. I paused at the door, then pressed the handle down and marched into the room. I’d left the violin in its case on a chair when I was last in here, disgusted at my lost skills. I picked it up, blew some the particles of dust away and practiced scales. Something I hadn’t done since living in Arlington. The sound was terrible. Tentative and stiff. I practiced again and again.

My fingertips were becoming sore, softened through a lack of rigorous practice. How had I allowed myself to be so lost?

Gritting my teeth, I began again until my hands blistered. I put the violin back on the chair and rubbed my hands forcing blood back into them as I used to do.

The sheet music from my last visit to this room sat on the music stand in front of me. Tentatively I raised the violin to my neck, rested my chin and drew the bow across the strings. Here goes nothing, I told myself, taking in a deep breath.

Eyes closed, I released the breath and began to play. I swayed in time to the notes, and, as my body relaxed into the rhythm, I gasped. I played more. Tears came but this time they were tears of joy.

All I needed was practice. But since the accident and the incarceration at the psychiatric hospital, my confidence had been eroded. I needed it back.

I vowed to practice each day. This was something I wouldn’t let Topher take away from me.

I headed to the kitchen to make lunch. It wasn’t one of the days Heather came to help me and I was grateful, as she’d be horrified at the state of my fingertips. I rinsed them under the tap, wrapped them in a tea towel whilst I struggled to get the first aid tin out a cupboard and on to the work surface.

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