The Serial Killer's Sister by Alice Hunter

Author:Alice Hunter [Hunter, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2023-04-03T17:00:00+00:00

MAY 12th

One day to go

Chapter 24

My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. I pop my index finger in to release it and it comes free with a dry clicking noise. I drag my other arm out from under the duvet and tap my hand over the bedside table, hopeful of finding the glass of water I usually take to bed. My hand makes contact with it and I manage to slowly manoeuvre myself so my other elbow props me up enough to enable me to drink. It’s tepid, and as soon as the glug of water lands in my stomach, it contracts to expel it.

‘Oh, God.’ I practically crawl to the bathroom, stick my head over the toilet bowl and vomit. I feel like someone is ripping my insides out. My heart has been torn out already, so that’s one less thing to worry about. Images flash through my mind, like an old cine film. Each one sends a shockwave through me, and each recalled confession from Ross’s mouth is like a punch to the stomach. Then the memory of throwing him out surfaces, but it’s fuzzy around the outsides. Did I tell him never to set foot in this house again? I groan. He’ll have gone to Yasmin’s. Did I send my husband directly into the arms of his lover?

I hear my phone vibrating on my bedside table. It might be Ross. I pull myself up from my kneeling position by the toilet, to standing, the pressure in my head intensifying. As I reach the bed and stretch across the mattress to grab my mobile, I have a strange feeling – like a nervous, butterfly sensation – and with it comes the knowledge that I didn’t take myself to bed last night. Someone tucked me in, said goodnight. I’m sure of it. Ross must’ve come back home despite me telling him to leave. I pick up my phone and see that the new message is from Serena.

Are you OK? I heard about the extended suspension. What utter crap, I’m so sorry. Call me. Come over for a Wine & Whinge night. Love you, Sxx

I tap out a quick response saying I’m angry about it all and that I’ll call her soon. I end the message with Ross is having an affair and has left me – then delete it before sending. I can’t do that over text. And besides, seeing it in black and white gives me palpitations, so I can’t imagine what talking about it might do. I’ll wait until this ticking bomb with Henry is over and deal with it properly then.

If I’m alive then.

I scroll through the other messages. None are from Ross. I clutch my chest – pain crushes it as I remember.

Yasmin’s pregnant.

The horrifying reality slams me hard, and I drag myself up and off the bed, bile burning my throat as it makes its way into my mouth again. Giddiness makes me stumble, and I crash my shoulder into the door frame, hot tears bubbling from my eyes.

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