Just One Lie: A gripping psychological thriller with a nail-biting climax by Ruth Harrow

Author:Ruth Harrow [Harrow, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: 2022-06-04T16:00:00+00:00

32

Before

My grandson and I get to spend the entire morning together. I fear this may be one of the last full days we get like this. My son tells me he and his wife have started using the local daycare service and will use it more when she is back at work full time. Indeed this set-up isn’t agreeable with my own working hours. But I tell him I can arrange myself around my job.

For now, I focus on my grandchild. He has grown so much but doesn’t seem to be any easier to look after. Getting his attention is tougher than ever, even when I pull out all the stops. I level with him on the dusty carpet and animate his brightly coloured toys with all the energy I can manage.

He enjoys it though when I take hold of his hands and we walk around the garden in the late summer air. I am even treated with a rare smile when we see a bright butterfly flap past us. I can’t let go of his little mitts even for a second to leave him unsupported. I wonder how often he is given walking practice.

I imagine my daughter-in-law leaves him in front of the television for long periods whilst she amuses herself elsewhere in the house. An electronic babysitter would suit her nicely for when I’m not here. She wouldn’t have to make awkward small talk with it for one thing. It saddens me to think of how she is neglecting her child. The thought makes me want to refuse to leave at the end of the day. If only I could take the little boy with me when I go home. I would make sure he is looked after properly.

It starts to rain, and we are forced back indoors before we have exhausted the outdoor resources.

After a tricky lunchtime where most of the food ends up on the floor, I try a few times to put him down for his afternoon nap. I’m unsuccessful, however. He is restless, and I wonder how I can entertain him for another few hours. I decide a round of our usual game would be in order. This afternoon, we are round-the-house explorers again.

The child in my arms manages a smile as I bouncily count the stairs, and the small interaction warms me a little inside.

In the bathroom, I entertain the little boy with counting all the colourful bottles and tubes. I point out that Daddy’s toothbrush is bone dry. Was he really that pushed for time as he left for work this morning? I tell him that his father was never that lax under my care when he was a little boy.

‘I think Mummy might be able to help out a little more, couldn’t she?’

In the master bedroom, it is clear that Mummy still isn’t letting Daddy sleep beside her, even after all this time. What does she think she is doing? I wonder if she is having second thoughts about her marriage.

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