In the Blink of an Eye: A heartbreaking and unputdownable page-turner by Kate Hewitt

Author:Kate Hewitt [Hewitt, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

NATALIE

Eleanor gives me some warning, at least. On Friday morning, less than a week after the party, she texts me with the short and seemingly terse message: The police want to speak to you. As I stare down at those seven alarming words, my stomach hollows out, the sip of coffee I just took sloshing around queasily.

I knew there had been murmurs and whispers about the police opening an investigation. Parents had talked about it in hushed voices in the schoolyard, some seeming horrified, others almost seeming to relish the drama. Nothing this exciting had happened in Wetherby in years, I supposed; certainly nothing like this happened when I was a kid at this school.

But the police? For an accident? Some people were saying an investigation was standard procedure; others mentioned Brian and how he was “out for blood.” I told myself they were just stoking the fire, piling on the drama, but the whole thing made me nervous. I didn’t want to talk to the police.

As I stare down at that terse text from Eleanor at eight o’clock on Friday morning, I realize she hasn’t contacted me in days. I scroll back to see her last message—Tuesday, in response to mine, saying there has been no news about Bella. I’ve sent her at least a text a day, just checking in, trying to be a good friend, but Eleanor has blanked me. I didn’t really notice, with so much else going on, and in any case, I know she has much bigger things to worry about than texting me a reply. And yet… I feel the silence now, like an ominous, physical thing. Not a good sign.

I tell myself there’s no reason to be nervous. I’ve asked Freya a few times about what happened, if she saw anything, but she’s refused to talk, getting upset if I mention it, and so for the last few days we’ve subsided into a silent sort of truce. We spent an hour making a glittery get well card for Bella, which I keep meaning to drop by Eleanor’s, but I haven’t yet. Maybe she’s not the only one who has gone silent; I have, too.

The doorbell rings, and my stomach clenches. The police here, already? It’s barely past eight, and I’m meant to drive Freya to school in just a few minutes. This is not a good time.

Freya looks up from the kitchen table where she has been silently ploughing through her bowl of Cheerios. “Who’s at the door?”

“I don’t know, honey.” I try to smile, but my lips tremble, and my heart has started thudding way too hard.

I go to open the door, and even though they’re in plain clothes, I can tell by their serious faces and squared-off stances that they must be the police, and, sure enough, they are. The woman introduces herself as Daniela Martinez, shows her badge and asks if they can come in for a “couple of questions.” Her partner, who gives me a silent nod, is Rory Scott.

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