The Silent Wife by Ruth Harrow

Author:Ruth Harrow [Harrow, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

I read the message back and try to get into my sister’s head. What would she be feeling? Guilt? Shame? Despair? I deliberately don’t make any mention of the pregnancy, which may or may not still be going ahead. Then I add another sentence.

It will be just the two of us xx

By the time the weekend rolls around, I wonder if Sarah has even got my message. I wake up early on Saturday morning and still haven’t had a response. As a result, I’m in two minds about whether I should show up. What if Sarah hasn’t seen my text? But I’ve sent the message out now. I can’t risk her turning up when I’m not there. I have to take the chance even if it’s a waste of time.

I prepare myself a better breakfast of avocado and eggs on toast in preparation for a day on the chilly streets of Blackpool in December.

Chris walks into the kitchen just as I’m putting my empty plate beside the sink. He is bleary-eyed and still in the T-shirt and boxers he sleeps in. ‘You off somewhere?’

‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m going to see if I can meet Sarah today.’

‘You’ve heard from her?’

‘Not exactly. But I’ve set up a meeting. I’m hoping she will be there this time. I’ve made it as easy as I can for her. All she has to do is be there.’

Chris sighs and goes for the kettle. ‘You think that will work, do you?’

‘I’ll find out soon enough. I would invite you, but I told Sarah it would just be me.’

Chris raises his eyebrows. ‘Aren’t you bringing a special someone along?’

‘No,’ I say firmly. ‘I’m going alone. And I don’t need an argument. I’m nervous enough as it is.’

‘Why?’

‘I’ve no idea. I don’t know what I’m going to find out today. Sarah has been gone for months now. Will she even turn up today?’

‘Sounds like a waste of petrol to me. Besides, I need the car today.’

‘I don’t think anything is wasted if it means I might see my sister at last. What do you need the car for, anyway? Let me guess, another errand for your mum?’

‘She needs me to pick up a new bookcase for her.’

‘You still can. She has plenty of space in that big four-wheeled drive of hers.’

‘She doesn’t want to scratch the interior. Ours is older.’

My mouth drops open. ‘So it’s fine if her furniture trashes our car?’

He stirs hot water into his instant coffee and says nothing. I get the sense he wants to avoid an argument. But he isn’t willing to back down either.

That’s OK. I can be stubborn too.

‘I have to go out today.’ I reach for the shelf basket with the car key. ‘Even if there is the tiniest chance Sarah will be there, I have to take it. This is important to me, Chris. Please understand that.’

With that, I turn and leave the house, my words ringing in my head for a good ten minutes afterwards.

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