The Widow : An absolutely unputdownable and gripping psychological thriller by K.L. Slater

Author:K.L. Slater [Slater, K.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800199125
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2021-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty

I didn’t feel up to looking after Tansy and Aleks. I just wanted to curl up in a ball somewhere dark and quiet. I knew I had to call Donna. I had nobody else.

I picked up my phone, and for a moment I couldn’t remember what I needed to do. I opened up my call list and jabbed a finger on a contact. Donna picked up after two rings.

‘Hi, Kate, can I call you back? I’ve just put Paul’s tea on and—’

‘Michael’s gone,’ I whispered. ‘He’s dead, Donna.’

‘What?’

‘He went out and … and … A lorry … The police came here to tell me. He’s dead.’

‘My God, no!’ She fell silent for a few seconds, and then she called out to Paul, ‘I’ve got to go, can you come in here, babe?’ She muffled the phone and I heard her speaking urgently in a low voice. ‘OK, Kate, I’m on my way. I’ll be at yours in five minutes. Get the kids’ stuff together. They can have a sleepover with Ellie tonight.’

She ended the call and I sat staring at the wall. I felt numb. Spaced out.

‘Mummy!’ Tansy yelled from the top of the stairs. ‘When are you coming up?’

‘I’m coming up now,’ I mumbled under my breath. Michael was going to come home and read them both a story. He’d put them to bed and then come downstairs and pour us some wine. We’d talk about the police interview and he’d tell me everything would be fine, and I’d say I was sorry for thinking the worst and …

Someone was shaking me. ‘Mummy, Mummy! What’s wrong? Why are you talking to yourself?’ I refocused, saw Tansy’s tearful eyes and worried expression.

‘It’s OK, darling, you and Aleks get your coats and shoes on. You’re going to stay at Ellie’s house tonight.’

‘What?’ She punched her hands to her hips. ‘We’re already ready for bed!’

‘Can I go back to the cottage?’ Aleks said hopefully.

‘No. No,’ I said vaguely. ‘Get ready.’

‘What’s wrong with your mum?’ I heard him whisper.

‘Grab your coat, Tansy,’ I said, pulling myself together. ‘Aleks, you too. Put them on over your pyjamas. It will be fun.’

‘It won’t be fun because Ellie doesn’t like Aleks,’ Tansy said crossly, folding her arms. ‘She might not let him play in her bedroom with us.’

There was a knock on the door and Donna walked in. She headed straight for me and embraced me. It took every ounce of my resolve not to collapse sobbing into her.

‘The kids don’t know yet,’ I whispered into her ear.

‘OK, kids, grab your stuff. I’m taking you to my house and then I’m coming back to look after your mum, Tansy. She’s not feeling too well.’

‘Donna, please. I don’t want to ruin your night, there’s no need to come back.’

‘I’m coming right back here,’ she said firmly. ‘Paul will sort the kids out.’

‘I’ll manage, I’ll …’ I couldn’t seem to focus, to finish my thoughts. Michael’s face filled my mind in technicolour.

I grabbed on to a chair and squeezed my eyes closed.

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