The Quiet One by J A Baker

Author:J A Baker [Baker, J A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

21

I’m desperately relieved when the weekend is over, when Monday morning arrives and there is no letter. Is this how I’m going to be from here on in – checking the post every single morning with my heart in my mouth? Watching and waiting for the morning when Wade finds it before I do? Because he will. Since Friday evening, he has been up and out of his seat as soon as he spots the postman striding up and down the road. This is his new project: keeping me safe from an invisible maniac. And there is no way the mystery notes are going to suddenly cease. I’m not that lucky. One day soon, another will arrive. And then he’ll be as good as his word and will call the police. That’s when everything will come apart. That’s when my nicely ordered life will disintegrate.

I am being treated like a delicate, porcelain ornament. It will be a relief to get into work where teenagers curl their lips at me, where they make snide remarks when they think I am not looking. The memory of Jack Phelps seeps back into my mind, the thought of his words twisting at my intestines until I can no longer eat my breakfast. I furtively pick up the bowl and empty the contents into the bin before Wade notices how little I’ve eaten, then stand staring out of the window as I finish my coffee.

‘Right, I’m off,’ I say a little too breezily. I place the cup in the sink, aware that I am in danger of play-acting in my own home. Nothing feels natural; every movement, every single word is artificial and theatrical. We can’t continue like this indefinitely, me carrying on like a cardboard cut-out. At some point, we have to go back to living a normal life. Whatever normal is.

‘I’ll contact the insurance company today, see if they’ve heard anything from the tractor driver. I’ll pass on his details and let them do their thing,’ Wade says. He is busy reading the news on his tablet, his gaze directed at the screen and for once, not at me.

I lean over him and kiss the top of his head. He looks up then and pushes the tablet to one side. ‘Bye, kiddo. Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight,’ he says softly.

I’m relieved Wade is sorting out the insurance. It’s one less thing for me to worry about, and besides, he enjoys taking charge and tackling all the admin tasks that I find indescribably boring.

‘See you later. I’ll be in at the usual time. No meetings to attend, thank God,’ I murmur as I roll my eyes and head out into the hallway.

I grab my keys and unlock the door, before taking a glance behind me. Wade is looking at me, his dark eyes narrowed in concentration, his lashes fluttering slightly as he watches me leave.

I shiver and step outside.

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