The Silent Ones by Slater K. L

Author:Slater, K. L. [Slater, K. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense
ISBN: 9781786817730
Goodreads: 51058209
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2019-07-24T07:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Nine

Dana could see that Juliet Fletcher’s breathing had become erratic. Her chest was rising and falling and she was pulling in too much air and in danger of hyperventilating.

‘Just relax, Juliet.’ Dana told her. ‘Nothing is going to happen immediately because of what Brianna just said. I’m hoping Maddy can shed a bit more light on what happened in Bessie’s house.’

Maddy looked at her mother and back down at her hands.

‘Maddy?’ Juliet said gently, touching her arm. ‘You have to tell the truth and help yourself now in any way you can. Do you understand?’

Maddy gave a faint nod.

‘Anything you can tell us will help us to help you,’ Dana added.

Maddy began to tap the heel of her foot on the floor.

‘Your mum said you’ve not been sleeping well for a few weeks, Maddy. Is that right?’

Maddy shrugged then nodded.

When they’d had their brief chat in Room 15A, Juliet had explained about hearing Maddy walking around her bedroom in the early hours and how she’d started going downstairs and sitting in the armchair, alone in the dark. Juliet had also said Maddy seemed to have a bit of an attitude lately, answering back and refusing to do some tasks like her homework. Apparently this was out of character.

‘Do you know why you’ve felt more restless? Why you can’t seem to relax at night?’ Dana pressed her gently.

Juliet nodded at her daughter to encourage her to speak.

Dana allowed a few moments’ pause. Just as she was about to ask another open-ended question, Maddy spoke up.

‘I just wake up for no reason and then I can’t get back to sleep.’

‘Horrible, isn’t it?’ Dana pulled a face. ‘That sometimes happens to me, too. Mostly when I have stuff on my mind, stuff I’m worried about that comes up in my dreams.’

Maddy nodded.

‘It’s not easy, I know, but I want you to think back to before you went to Bessie’s house. Can you remember if you were worried about something then?’

Maddy thought for a moment. She glanced at Dana and looked quickly at her mum.

‘It’s OK, sweetie,’ Juliet reassured her. ‘I promise you won’t get into trouble, whatever you say in here.’

Juliet was so helpful in this process. She seemed to know just what to say to support Maddy in the best possible way.

‘I… I’d been having bad dreams.’ Maddy wriggled a bit in her chair. ‘That someone was telling me to do something bad.’

Juliet looked uncomfortable but to Dana’s relief, she stayed quiet.

‘That must have been upsetting,’ Dana said. ‘Was it someone you know?’

Maddy nodded.

‘Was it Brianna?’ Juliet said and then bit back. ‘Sorry, Dana.’

‘Can you remember what the person was asking you to do?’ Dana continued, ignoring the interruption.

Maddy pressed her lips together, tapped the knuckles of her thumbs against each other.

‘Anything you can remember might be useful,’ Dana said softly.

She was almost certain by Maddy’s body language that the child could remember exactly who had tried to control her and what they’d asked her to do. But it was important Maddy felt safe enough to believe she had the upper hand.

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