The Playground : A totally gripping psychological thriller with an unexpected twist by S.D. Robertson

Author:S.D. Robertson [Robertson, S.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781837906420
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2023-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-SIX

Beth

I’m in bed and it’s just gone ten o’clock. On a Saturday. I’m such a rebel. Ethan, wide awake on his phone in his bedroom, looked at me like I was a weirdo when I said goodnight.

‘I’m shattered,’ I told him. ‘You should be getting ready for bed too.’

‘Eh? I never go to bed this early on a Saturday. Dad doesn’t—’

‘Fine.’ I didn’t have the energy to argue. ‘At least keep it down, please. Your sister is already asleep and I hope to be in the land of nod myself soon. Don’t start having noisy showers at midnight.’

‘When do I ever do that?’

‘Goodnight, love.’

‘When do I, though? Seriously.’

‘Ethan, just do as I ask, please.’

‘Fine.’

It’s no wonder I’m so tired after the last twenty-four hours or so. I was way too late to bed and too boozy after Billy’s revelation yesterday, followed by my video chat with Mum. Today I had to put my awful hangover to one side for Daisy’s sake. We may not have had a magician, but we did have a lovely mother–daughter day of face masks, manicures, pedicures, makeovers and hair styling. I gave it my all, in spite of everything, and I enjoyed spending that quality time with her.

‘Good day today?’ I asked her while blow-drying her hair after her shower.

‘The best.’

I didn’t say anything about it being better than the party. There was no need to remind her of that before bedtime. Monday will no doubt be tough, when everyone relives whatever happened at Lori’s bash, but we can chat about that on the day. It makes me mad thinking about it again now. I allow myself one frustrated punch of my pillow, then move my thoughts along.

Next to pop into my mind is Billy – shocker – but I’m having none of that. It’s been nice being too busy to think about his bombshell. Tomorrow is another day. One when I can also consider what my son might have been doing earlier, out with Liam for hours on end. He seemed annoyed and extra shifty when he got home. Defensive when I asked him the briefest of questions.

‘Good day?’

‘It was fine.’

‘Where did you go?’

‘Here and there, just in the area.’

‘How’s Liam?’

He growled. ‘Fine. Why do you have to ask so many questions, Mum?’

‘I’m showing an interest, that’s all. You’re my fourteen-year-old son. I like to have some idea what you get up to.’

‘Whatever. I told you, didn’t I?’

I’m not thinking about that any more tonight either. I push it away and attempt to wipe my mind of all thoughts. I picture myself lying on my back in a large empty field of grass. I imagine blue sky above, scattered with a handful of fluffy white clouds; the warmth of the sun on my face. I breathe slowly and deeply. In through my nose, feeling my abdomen expand. Hold. Out slowly through my mouth. And repeat.

It’s starting to work until there’s a loud knock on my door. ‘Mum? Are you asleep yet?’

‘What is it, Ethan?’ I ask, refusing to open my eyes.

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