Heart of Bone: A gripping novel of psychological suspense, page 14
Ahead of them stood an old bandstand, now converted into a shady spot to sit. Greer gestured at it. ‘Over there. I’ll give you five minutes, no more.’
The bandstand’s only occupant was a teenage boy, his gaze on his phone. When Greer and Nathan entered, he pulled a face and left. Greer sat on a bench and Nathan joined her.
‘I thought everything was great between us. Now it’s not. What changed, Greer?’
‘You did. As soon as I wasn’t around, you showed yourself in your true colours. Your mother was right about you.’
A hint of anger crossed Nathan’s face. ‘Mum? What’s she said to you?’
‘She warned me about you. I should have listened to her.’
Nathan frowned. ‘Mum’s bitter because her marriage to Dad ended in divorce. She has a downer on men, even me.’ He edged closer, his voice pure silk. ‘We were getting on so well. Tell me what’s upset you. Please.’
Greer’s anger ebbed a little. Maybe she’d misjudged him. She owed him the chance to explain.
‘It was what you said when we had fish and chips in that pub. I needed the toilet, and when I came back, you were on your phone. Saying how much you hate gay men.’ Nathan’s expression morphed into one of shock. ‘Pretty nasty of you, given that you have a gay man’s heart inside you.’
For a second, Nathan didn’t respond. Then he took Greer’s hand. ‘I’m sorry you heard that. I didn’t mean it, Greer. It was an awful thing to say.’
‘Then why did you?’
Nathan pulled a face. ‘I’ve known Eddie, the guy I was taking to, for years. We were at school together. He’s always been Mr Macho, hates gays. Back when we were teenagers, we’d slag them off without a second thought. Pure bravado, but he’s never grown out of it. I carry on the charade with Ed solely to keep up appearances. I don’t hate gay men, Greer.’ Nathan smiled, and Greer lost herself in the blue of his eyes. ‘How could I, given that I have Tom’s heart inside me?’
Greer bit her lip. She didn’t like Nathan’s cowardice, but was reluctant to be too hard on him. He still faced a long road back to health. The guy couldn’t afford to alienate a close friend, even an unpleasant one.
‘You’re okay with gay men? Really?’
‘Yes. I’m sorry you overheard what you did. That’s not who I am, believe me.’
‘What you said was ugly. Cruel and spiteful.’
‘I know. I’m ashamed of myself, honestly I am. I can’t bear to think I’ve upset you this way, right when we were establishing such a strong connection.’
When she didn’t respond, he pulled away, unbuttoned his shirt. ‘Listen to Tom’s heart, Greer. That will tell you much better than words how grateful I am. Don’t let my stupidity come between us. Please?’
Greer glanced around. A group of children occupied the swings, their shouts lost in the wind. An elderly couple were walking their dachshund. Nobody was paying Nathan or her any attention.
The lure proved irresistible. Greer laid her ear against Nathan’s scar, oblivious to everything around her. The steady beat of Tom’s heart pulsed inside her head, reassuring her. Nathan had been stupid and thoughtless, but he deserved a second chance, right?
LATER, BACK AT HER flat, Greer couldn’t get Nathan’s face out of her mind. The nagging conviction that he looked familiar wouldn’t leave her alone. Had she seen Nathan before, and if so, where and when?
A reminder beeped from her mobile. Time for her heart pills. She padded into the kitchen for a glass of water with which to take her medication. Her fingers twisted off the cap of the bottle and shook out an oval white tablet. The penny dropped in Greer’s head with a resounding clang. She knew exactly where she’d seen Nathan Taylor before.
Nathan, as he and Jessica had both told her, had lived in Bristol until a couple of years ago. His heart problems had begun in Greer’s home city. He’d have attended the cardiac unit at Bristol’s Royal Infirmary. The same unit Greer had attended for her own heart issues.
That was how she knew him. She could picture him clearly now. He’d been paler, thinner, obviously ill, but it was him all right.
Snippets of memories forced themselves into Greer’s mind. Nathan, behaving rudely to the staff. Not dissimilar to his behaviour that first time they’d met at his flat.
What was it Isla had said? ‘I love Nathan. But I don’t always like him.’
So who was the real Nathan Taylor? The boorish individual who’d spouted awful things about gay men, or the charmer who claimed they were forging an amazing connection?
The latter. It had to be. Despite Nathan’s bad behaviour, Tom’s heart still beat in his chest. How could she ignore that? And what about the question of cellular memory? Nathan might be shallow and had behaved like a pig, but what if he changed? Suppose Tom’s gentle nature predominated, wreaking a positive influence?
She was lonely. Nathan offered her something she didn’t have in Bristol. Jessica was here, too. Didn’t she owe it to herself to stick around? And forgive Nathan?
CHAPTER 47
The next day, Greer hurried down the street, grocery bags in hand, eager to escape the driving rain. She was almost back at her Airbnb flat, and desperate for a rest. As she rounded the corner, her phone trilled from the depths of her bag.
Greer darted into an empty doorway and pulled out her mobile. The caller’s name on the screen was Nathan Taylor.
He’d pester her with a multitude of texts if she didn’t answer. ‘Hey. How are you?’
‘Any chance you can come round?’ His voice sounded flat. ‘I’ve had an argument with Mum. You know what she’s like. Honestly, Greer, you’re more a mother to me than she is.’
She hesitated. A cup of tea, followed by a nap, held more appeal. Besides, Nathan wasn’t her favourite person right then, even though she’d decided to overlook his nastiness.
‘Greer?’
He’d explained his vile comments, hadn’t he? Shouldn’t Greer be more forgiving?
She rolled her eyes. ‘I’ll come over right away.’
‘GOOD TO SEE YOU,’ NATHAN said once he’d opened the door. ‘I’ll make us some coffee.’
Once they’d seated themselves in his living room, Greer studied him. How exhausted he looked. His skin was pale, and dark smudges underlined his eyes.
He’d better be looking after Tom’s heart. ‘Are you all right?’
Nathan waved a dismissive hand. ‘A bit tired, I guess. Everything was okay at my last check-up, however.’
‘You’re still having them weekly? Every Monday?’
He nodded.
‘And keeping up with your medication?’ Greer glanced at the plastic pillbox on the coffee table. From what she could see of the days and time slots, he was.
‘Of course.’ Nathan’s voice was huffy with irritation. ‘Like I told you, it’s dangerous to miss even a single dose. Anyway, let’s not worry about that. I had a big row with Mum.’
‘What about?’
‘She’s so unsupportive.’ He rubbed his hand over his jaw. ‘She knows it’s important for me to avoid unnecessary stress. I still can’t work much, so I don’t have a lot of income right now. Mum, though—she’s loaded after the divorce.’
Greer tensed. A request for more money seemed probable, and she didn’t have much left to give.
‘There’s one credit card company that’s really hounding me. I’d overlooked them when I totalled up my debts before. You’ve already been extraordinarily kind in loaning me a couple of grand, so I didn’t want to bother you again. Like a fool, I asked Mum, and she refused.’
When Greer didn’t respond, he continued, ‘I’m being threatened with a potential court case and all the associated fees. So I was wondering. Is there any way you can advance me a short-term loan, just until I’m back on my feet at work?’
‘How much are we talking about?’
‘Five grand. I know that’s a lot. But I’m so stressed, and all I can think about is money. How it’ll be a while before I earn a decent income again. I wouldn’t ask if there was another way. If I had a mother who actually cared. But I don’t, you see.’
Greer’s mouth was dry with panic. Five thousand pounds would wipe out her remaining savings, leaving her with nothing.
‘I’ll pay you back as soon as possible. With interest, too. Can you swing it for me, Greer? I’m worried my health will suffer with all the stress.’
‘Well, I—‘
‘I’m not eating properly or sleeping much. I’m terrified I’ll mess up my medication because I can’t think straight.’
That clinched it. Tom’s heart mustn’t be endangered, despite her misgivings. ‘Of course. I’ll transfer the funds to you now.’ Take that, Isla Taylor.
‘Thank you. You don’t realise what this means to me.’
Nathan stood up. ‘I’ll make some more coffee.’
Greer got up to pace the room, her thoughts a mess. She couldn’t really spare the money. He’d pay her back, though. Of course he would, in time.
Her future was here in Birmingham, with Nathan. She had to trust him and the connection they were building, because if she didn’t, what meaning did she have in her life?
Nathan walked in, bearing two steaming mugs, one of which he handed to Greer. ‘Have you sent the money? Sorry to press you, but it’s kind of urgent.’
Greer took her mobile from her bag. ‘I’ll do it now.’
She accessed her online banking app and transferred five thousand pounds into Nathan’s account. Her savings balance now stood at £36.98. Money would be tight for a while. She’d simply have to cut her spending, get her house rented out, or apply for an overdraft. Tom’s heart was all that mattered.
CHAPTER 48
Beth leaned back and closed her eyes. God, it had been a long day. Shopping, visiting an old school friend, volunteering at a food bank. A hot drink was what she needed. She hauled herself to her feet and walked into the kitchen.
A minute later, she returned with a mug of coffee, settled herself on the sofa and grabbed the TV remote. First, she’d watch the evening news, then a movie, all nice and chilled-out.
She’d reckoned without the usual global mayhem. Beth listened to reports of an earthquake in Japan, stabbings in London and tension in the Middle East. The main bulletin ended, followed by the local one. By now, she’d finished her coffee. Did she really want another?
A quick refill wouldn’t hurt. As Beth stood to take her empty mug into the kitchen, a name from the television caught her attention. She froze in place, her gaze on the screen.
‘Missing woman discovered dead in local woodland,’ the caption read, as the opening music faded. The camera focused on the two newscasters.
‘The body of Lily Hamilton, the Bristol woman who disappeared eighteen months ago, has been found in a wooded area on the outskirts of the city,’ the male news anchor said. ‘Local building contractors discovered her corpse while clearing the site for future development. We have this report from Penny Lucas.’
The image changed to show a young woman, blonde hair blowing in the wind, dressed in a beige trench coat. Blue-and-white crime scene tape fluttered in the background. ‘As my colleague has said, Lily Hamilton’s body was discovered this morning under a rocky outcrop when workers were clearing undergrowth in preparation for a new housing development. Police officers are treating her death as suspicious but have not released further details at this stage. Lily went missing after telling friends she was meeting a man she’d contacted through a dating website.’
Beth’s buzzer sounded. A minute after opening the door, she slammed it shut on the hapless political canvasser who’d dared to disturb her evening. He wouldn’t be calling on her again in a hurry. By the time she returned, the news had shifted to a local robbery.
Lily Hamilton. The name seemed familiar, but why? Wait a minute. Hadn’t Greer mentioned a woman called Lily Hamilton who disappeared the same year Rose did?
She really should phone Greer. The discovery of Lily’s body was important news in Bristol, but the Birmingham television stations wouldn’t report an event that wasn’t local to them.
Her friend needed to know, however. Hadn’t Greer told Beth she believed Lily and Rose had fallen victim to the same predator?
Beth picked up her mobile.
Wait. How would she ever find the right words?
GREER RUBBED MOISTURISER into her face. God, she was ready for her bed.
As she pulled back her duvet, her phone rang. Beth’s name was on the screen.
Greer frowned. Wasn’t it a bit late for a phone call?
‘Beth. This is a lovely surprise.’ They exchanged pleasantries—How are you? Fine, thanks—then Beth’s tone turned serious. ‘I know it’s past eleven, and you’re probably tired. The thing is, I’ve been agonising for hours over what to say.’
What a strange comment. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I don’t want to upset you. But do you remember telling me about your daughter Rose going missing? You mentioned another woman as well. Was her name Lily Hamilton?’
Shock drained the saliva from Greer’s mouth.
‘Greer? Are you still there?’ When she didn’t respond, Beth continued, ‘I doubt it made the news in your area. Lily Hamilton’s body’s been found, Greer. I realise this must come as quite a bombshell. But say something. Please.’
Greer moistened her dry lips. ‘Who found her?’ Stupid question. What did that matter?
‘Construction workers, apparently. In woodland just outside the city. The site’s under development for a future building project. I’m so sorry, my love. I know this must reopen old wounds.’
Tears filled Greer’s eyes. ‘They never healed.’
ONCE THE CALL ENDED, Greer poured herself a glass of water from her bedside jug and drank it in one go. It didn’t help; her mouth remained dry with shock.
Sleep was out of the question. She pulled on her dressing gown and retrieved her laptop. A Google search confirmed what Beth had said. As well as how Lily Hamilton disappeared after going to meet a man from a dating website.
Just like Greer had once told Beth Rose had done.
CHAPTER 49
Was it morning already? Greer was positive she’d only dozed off a short while ago. Time to drag herself from bed, however groggy she felt. It was hardly surprising she’d slept badly. How could she rest when Lily Hamilton, and the discovery of her body, had haunted her during the long hours of wakefulness?
What had Beth said? I know this must reopen old wounds. Her neighbour was right. The pain of Rose’s loss was as sharp as ever.
Oh, to stay in bed forever, nursing her misery. She needed the loo, though. Greer’s stomach was rumbling, too, and she had nothing in for breakfast. Time to get up.
She showered, dressed, and made her way downstairs, all the while feeling sick. The stairs needed more effort than usual, and her legs were heavy, like concrete encased her feet.
Greer dragged open the front door to the block of apartments and turned right towards the nearest supermarket. The day seemed unusually warm, given that the sky was dull and overcast. She wiped sweat from her brow. Why did her chest feel like it might explode?
The tightness under her ribs worsened as she browsed the wine aisle. An iron hand squeezed her lungs in a deadly grip, the nausea worse now. Then a lightning bolt of pain struck. Greer slumped to the ground, dimly aware of voices around her. Oh my God... are you all right, lady? Someone call an ambulance...
GREER REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS to a world of white. Where on earth was she? She glanced around; monitors, beeping sounds, tubes. The blue scrubs of a nurse. Ah, yes. She was in hospital, of course. Tom was too, wasn’t he? He was much sicker than her, though. She must tell him how much she loved him. Before it was too late.
Wait. It already was.
She remembered now. Her darling boy had died. Shame she hadn’t. Why bother living when Tom was gone?
The nurse was speaking, but her words made no sense to Greer. All she knew was that Tom was dead and something bad had happened to her. She slid into unconsciousness once more.
An indeterminate amount of time later, Greer opened her eyes again. Her brain seemed clearer, sharper. No confusion about where she was, or why she was here. She’d suffered a heart attack. No need for a doctor to tell her that.
‘Ah, you’re back with us, I see.’ The voice was male, laden with cheer, and Greer hated its owner before she even looked at him.
‘Go away.’ So what if she sounded rude?
The doctor didn’t seem to take offence. No doubt he’d been on the receiving end of far worse. Greer turned her head, intent on ignoring him, but his words filtered through. Coronary artery calcification. At risk of a second heart attack. Review of your medication. Diet and lifestyle modifications.
‘Your GP has discussed all this already with you, of course.’
Greer’s mouth twisted into a sneer. ‘Yeah, sure. We’ve had many conversations on the subject. My heart’s turning to bone, right?’
The doctor nodded. ‘That’s one way of putting it.’
GREER SPENT THE NEXT few days in Birmingham City Hospital’s cardiac unit. She’d sent messages to Nathan, Beth, Charlie, and, as an afterthought, Jessica. Beth and Charlie had expressed their concern—Sorry to hear that, Greer! Can I do anything to help? and, Look after yourself, Mrs M! Hope to see you soon—and she’d chatted via video with both.
‘The news about Lily came as an awful shock,’ Charlie told her.
‘I can’t talk about that. It’s too upsetting.’ He never mentioned his argument with Greer. Fine by her. A heart attack made one take stock of life; she had no wish to fall out with Charlie.
As for Beth, she’d been keen to visit, but Greer had assured her it was unnecessary.
