Heart of Bone: A gripping novel of psychological suspense, page 15
‘I’m fine. As heart attacks go, it was minor. More of a warning, really.’
‘If only I’d not phoned you about that woman’s body being found.’ Anguish in Beth’s voice. ‘I feel so guilty.’
‘It wasn’t your fault.’ Their conversation had strayed into dangerous territory. She forced herself not to think about Lily Hamilton, or Rose, or even Tom. Her heart, already fragile, might shatter if she did.
Nathan hadn’t been in. The hospital allowed patients one visitor per day, for an hour only, subject to prior arrangement. The real reason Greer had discouraged Beth from visiting; that precious time-slot bore Nathan’s name. A heart attack definitely made petty resentments disappear; she’d forgiven him for his vile words. Tom’s heart beating inside Nathan—that was what mattered.
He’d declined, much to Greer’s disappointment. ‘I daren’t risk it,’ he’d told her during a video chat, his voice filled with regret. ‘Hospitals are full of sick people, and I can’t jeopardise what’s left of my immune system that way. You understand, right?’
Greer, hurt but determined to hide it, had agreed. Inside, though, his rejection stung. This was a cardiac ward, not a covid one; was the risk really so great? She supposed he was right to be cautious, though.
How selfish of her. She couldn’t lose Nathan, not now. With Tom and Rose both gone, and with her planned move to Birmingham, he was all she had left.
Wrong. How could she have forgotten Jessica?
The girl had pleasantly surprised her. Her reply to Greer’s message about being in hospital was warm. Concerned. Kind. Further ones flew back and forth, and they also chatted via video. Greer told Jessica about Tom, and Jessica vented her frustrations over her job and her brother. ‘Can we meet up once you’re discharged?’ she’d said the last time they spoke.
Greer’s heart swelled. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Let me collect you. I’ll drive you to wherever you’re staying, make sure you’re okay. I’m a nurse, don’t forget.’
How caring of Jessica. ‘That would be lovely. Thank you.’
CHAPTER 50
Jessica had been as good as her word. A few minutes after Greer texted her with her discharge details, she’d replied. I’ll be there.
Greer hadn’t notified Nathan, Beth, or Charlie. What was the point? She’d catch up with the latter two back in Bristol, and as for Nathan, she planned on visiting him soon. Listening to Tom’s heart would help heal her own.
Jessica was waiting for Greer in the hospital’s discharge lounge that morning. The two women hugged. ‘Come on,’ Jessica said. ‘Let’s get you home. Hey, why are you crying?’
Why, indeed. Because such kindness felt unfamiliar. It was wonderful, but strange.
Impossible to explain that without sounding weird. ‘I’m okay. Just glad to be out of here.’
Jessica drove Greer to her Airbnb flat and stayed until late evening. She hoovered, dusted, and cooked them both spaghetti bolognese, refusing to let Greer lift a finger. ‘You need to rest,’ she said. ‘I can sort everything out.’
A bit of pampering felt good. Greer could get used to having Jessica in her life. It was as if Rose had returned, but in a more loving version.
Jessica was putting on her coat to leave. ‘Sorry to rush off. I need to get back to Mum.’
‘Thank you so much. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.’
A shrug. ‘I’m a nurse, remember? And it’s just a few hours of my time. No big deal.’
‘Oh, I think it is. If you’re half as caring with Nathan, he’s lucky to have you as his sister.’
A cloud passed over Jessica’s face. ‘Yeah. About him. Could we chat sometime? Please?’
‘Whenever you want.’ One day, she’d find out why Jessica and Nathan didn’t get on. ‘I’m hoping to see him tomorrow.’
Jessica’s eyes widened. ‘Can we talk first? It’s important. You need to hear what I have to say.’
GREER SLEPT IN LATE the next morning. It was to be expected; according to the cardiac team at Birmingham City Hospital, tiredness was common after a heart attack. They’d also advised gentle exercise. A walk with Jessica in the nearby park, already arranged for two o’clock, fitted the bill perfectly.
She sang in the shower and while she dressed. In her own way, Jessica was becoming as important to her as Nathan; her affection for the girl might easily grow into love one day.
The afternoon, thank goodness, was dry, the sky pastel-blue with no sign of rain clouds. Greer shuffled her feet as she waited, risking a glance at her watch. 2.05 pm. Jessica wouldn’t let her down. Right?
Ah, there she was. How silly she’d been to worry.
‘Sorry I’m late.’ Jessica hurried up to Greer. Her breath came in rapid puffs. ‘Work was manic. Didn’t think I’d ever get away.’ She eyed Greer with a critical gaze. ‘How are you? You sure you’re up to walking?’
Greer laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll tell you if I need to stop.’
‘We won’t go too far. Just to those benches over there, and then we’ll sit down.’
They set off, with the wind ruffling Greer’s hair, the sky pastel-blue. The shouts of children rang loud in her ears as the two of them strolled through the park. Jessica was walking slower than usual, clearly for Greer’s benefit. Such a caring girl.
What a great idea this had been, spending time together. Jessica was Nathan’s sister; she deserved Greer’s attention too. The girl lacked Nathan’s confidence, being almost mousy in comparison. She needed encouragement, that was all. Greer doubted Isla bloody Taylor was much of a mother to Jessica.
Greer could fill that gap. If this sweet girl wanted her to.
They’d reached the benches Jessica had mentioned, next to a wooden shack that sold refreshments. ‘Let’s sit down,’ Jessica said. ‘I could do with a rest.’
Greer smiled at the obvious lie. How considerate, but she felt fine. A little breathless, but otherwise okay.
‘I’ll buy us both a coffee.’ Without waiting for a reply, she headed towards the shack.
While Greer waited, she kept a watchful eye on Jessica. The girl’s shoulders were hunched, her gaze downcast. She didn’t look happy. Had Nathan upset her again?
Probably. He definitely wasn’t Mr Nice Guy. The sooner Tom’s heart worked its magic, the better.
Happy times would then follow. Nathan and Jessica, visiting Greer, the three of them laughing and chatting. Both saying how much more of a mother than Isla Greer was. Greer, hugging Jessica close. ‘I’ll always be your mum, Rose. Yours too, Tom.’
Oh, dear God. Had she really just thought that?
She needed to be more careful. One slip of the tongue, and she’d ruin everything.
‘What can I get you, love?’ The stallholder’s voice snapped Greer back to reality.
‘Two flat whites, please.’ She couldn’t remember how Jessica took her coffee, so it seemed a safe choice. She paid the man and headed back over to Jessica.
Greer sat beside her and handed her a coffee. ‘How’s work?’
A shrug. ‘Same old, same old. Bedpans. Wiping backsides. Changing sheets.’
Greer squeezed her arm. ‘It’s only as long as Nathan needs help, right? Once he’s well again, you can apply for a new job.’
Jessica shifted restlessly. ‘You sound like Mum.’ Her tone was bitter. ‘The thing is, I work long hours and go home drained. I barely get time to look after myself, let alone someone else. And Nathan—well, you’ve seen how abrasive he can be. How ungrateful.’
Jessica looked stricken. ‘Oh, God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that as a dig at you. You were so appreciative yesterday, whereas Nathan—he doesn’t even say thank you. No wonder I get annoyed.’
‘I think you’re doing a wonderful job. And you have me now, remember? I’ll help, especially with the cooking.’
‘That’s really kind. Thank you.’ A pause. Followed by a deep breath. ‘Um, this is really difficult for me. But can we talk? About Nathan?’
‘I’m listening. What’s wrong? Tell me, Jessica.’
‘During our video chats, you told me a bunch of stuff. About Tom.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t want to dredge up terrible memories for you. I just thought I should tell you.’
‘Tell me what?’
‘You said Tom had been dating someone. You didn’t know who, but you believe the guy drove Tom to take his own life, right?’
‘Yes.’ Where was Jessica going with this?
‘And how you hated that guy. Wanted him to suffer.’
Greer nodded. One day, she’d find Tom’s killer, with or without Charlie’s help. Make him pay.
‘Nathan won’t have told you this, but he’s bisexual,’ Jessica continued. ‘He doesn’t treat the men he sleeps with any better than he does his girlfriends, believe me.’
‘I don’t understand. If he’s bisexual, why would he slag off gay men?’
‘It’s all a front to maintain his image. His employers are pretty old-school and don’t have a clue, neither do his mates. Even Mum doesn’t know. I’m the only person who does.’ She grimaced. ‘I wish to God I didn’t. Nathan’s always bragging about the men he’s shagged. He gets a kick out of embarrassing me.’
Anger flared in Greer. I hate queers. Nathan was a bigger hypocrite than she’d realised. ‘How did you find out? Did he tell you?’
‘No. I dropped by one day unannounced while he was with some guy. The two of them were naked in his living room.’ Her cheeks flushed. ‘He swore me to secrecy. ‘
Jessica cleared her throat. ‘Here comes the hard part. I remembered Nathan banging on about some guy he hooked up with in Bristol a couple of years back, before his heart problems escalated. Nathan was a regular in the gay clubs there.’
Icy fear clutched Greer’s heart. She didn’t like where this was heading.
‘Yet another one he ditched once he’d got what he wanted.’ Contempt laced Jessica’s tone. ‘He said the guy was a graphic designer. And that his name was—’ She bit her lip, her expression troubled. ‘Tom.’
CHAPTER 51
The world stilled around Greer. She stared at Jessica, unable to respond.
‘I agonised over whether to tell you. I realise how close you’ve got to my brother. But he’s not a good person, Greer. Honestly, he isn’t. And you’re so sweet, and so kind, and I knew I had to say something, even though I didn’t want to.’ Jessica’s words tumbled out in a mad rush.
‘It can’t have been my Tom. It’s a common enough name. Besides, lots of guys are graphic designers.’
‘Listen to me, please—’
‘You’re mistaken. The odds of Nathan getting the heart of an ex-lover must be a million to one.’
‘I wanted to be sure before I said anything. So I told Nathan that a friend in Bristol needed a graphic designer. How I thought he’d once mentioned some guy called Tom.’
Greer licked her dry lips. ‘What did he say?’
‘The usual shit. But yeah, he confirmed he’d had a fling with a graphic designer called Tom. I asked if he still had his number, or remembered where he lived.’ Jessica blew out a breath. ‘Nathan laughed. Said he never kept mobile numbers from random hook-ups. I pressed him about the address, and he said—’ She glanced away. ‘Redfield. Didn’t you say your son lived in Redfield?’
Icy dread stilled Greer’s tongue. She ran through the facts.
Okay, so Nathan was bisexual. He’d dated, then dumped, a graphic designer called Tom. By itself, that meant little. A weird coincidence, nothing more. If the guy also lived in Redfield, though? Coincidence might then turn into something more solid.
‘I was worried he’d make the connection,’ Jessica continued. ‘But he didn’t. Men, like women, are two a penny to Nathan. And he’s totally self-absorbed. The possibility that he’d once dated the man who’d donated his new heart never occurred to him.’
Oh, God. This was all too much. Nathan had been Tom’s secret boyfriend.
She now understood Tom’s nicknaming him Blue. Nathan’s most striking feature was his piercing cornflower eyes.
Something seemed off, though. ‘Okay, so Tom dated Nathan in Bristol. But how did they hook up again a while ago, if Nathan was so sick? He told me he could hardly walk across his living room. Besides, he’d moved to Birmingham by then.’
‘You can’t trust a word Nathan says. Yes, he struggled with his breathing. His energy levels, too. But nowhere near as badly as he pretends. Tom got Nathan’s contact details from a mutual friend. Told him he wanted another chance, but Nathan laughed in his face. Only after they’d had sex, of course. Said he didn’t like reheated leftovers.’ Her face flushed. ‘I’m sorry. This must be hard to hear.’
Jessica had no idea. Her beloved Tom, spurned by a man not fit to grovel in the dirt before him.
A lone magpie hopped in front of Greer, eyed her with a beady stare, then flew off. One for sorrow, as the nursery rhyme went. She shivered, and not just from the breeze.
‘I understand you care about Nathan,’ Jessica said. ‘And that you’ve given him money. He’ll hassle you for more, but you have to say no, because he already has loads. If he told you otherwise, it’s a pack of lies. Don’t let him take advantage more than he’s already done.’
Too right. Nathan wouldn’t be getting another penny.
‘That was the reason I was so upset that day I ran away from you. I’d just found out, and I had no idea how to tell you, or even whether I should. Oh, God, now I’ve made you cry.’ She fished in her bag for a tissue and handed it to Greer. ‘My brother is vile. You deserve better. So does Tom’s memory.’
Jessica was correct. Nathan had brought about Tom’s death.
For that, Greer intended to make him pay.
There was one problem, though. Her darling boy’s heart still beat in Nathan Taylor’s chest.
CHAPTER 52
Beth picked up her mobile. Time to contact Greer, who, as far as she knew, was still in Birmingham, recovering from her heart attack. With any luck, she’d be back in Bristol soon; they’d have a proper catch-up then.
Greer answered straightaway. ‘I’m so glad you called.’ She sounded like she’d been crying. ‘Something awful’s happened.’
The poor love. Right after her heart attack, too. ‘What is it, Greer? Talk to me, please.’
More sobs, but Greer didn’t reply. Beth tried again. ‘How are you feeling? Are you out of hospital yet?’
A muffled ‘yes’.
Better not to press Greer. Let her talk when she was ready.
Eventually Beth heard Greer blow her nose, clear her throat. ‘It’s about Nathan.’
Beth suppressed a sigh. Wasn’t it always?
‘I hate him. So much. I want to kill the bastard.’
Greer had clearly fallen out with Nathan. That was probably for the best. Her preoccupation with him would die a natural death, and she could grieve properly for her son. ‘What’s happened?’
Greer told her.
This wasn’t good. Not at all. Her neighbour’s obsession with Nathan Taylor was getting stronger, not weaker. Just in a different direction. Besides, what Greer was telling her all seemed very unlikely.
She exhaled a long breath. ‘This is all so weird. It doesn’t sound right to me, if I’m honest, Greer. An incredible coincidence, don’t you think? That the man who received your son’s heart is the same person who drove him to suicide.’
‘That’s what I thought at first. But then I realised bizarre coincidences happen all the time. Did you hear about the man who got killed by a taxi while riding a moped? One year later, to the very day, his brother was killed riding the same moped. By the same taxi, driven by the same driver.’
‘I still reckon you and Jessica are making something out of nothing.’
A huff of annoyance from Greer. ‘Jessica said Nathan dated, then dumped a graphic designer called Tom who lived in Redfield. And Tom’s boyfriend had blue eyes. So does Nathan.’
‘Lots of people do. Tom’s a common name, and graphic designers are two a penny.’
‘You’re not listening. Nathan Taylor is an opportunistic bastard who preys on people, me included. He conned me out of thousands of pounds. I should have listened to his mother when she told me he was rotten.’
Why was Greer being so stubborn? ‘You’re jumping to conclusions. So is Jessica. What if Nathan told Jessica Redland, not Redfield? Easy to confuse the two.’
‘No. Nathan’s the bastard who killed my boy, and I’m going to make him pay. You see if I don’t.’
Whoa. Crazy talk. Beth needed to rein Greer in, and quickly. ‘I think you need professional help, my love. A trained counsellor, someone to talk to about Tom’s death. That’s what started your obsession with Nathan Taylor.’
‘You don’t understand. Nathan’s warped, evil. He killed Tom. Not directly, but as good as.’
‘Let’s not fall out over this. Can we talk again when you’re not so upset?’
Her neighbour’s words roared through Beth’s head. I want to kill the bastard...
Greer didn’t mean it literally, of course, but all this stress was bad for her heart. The sooner she was back in Bristol, where Beth could keep an eye on her, the better.
GREER THREW HER MOBILE across the room. Damn Beth Randall and her scepticism. No matter what her neighbour thought, Nathan Taylor was a snake in human form who’d caused Tom’s death. She’d been naïve and was now paying the price. Literally, what with all the money she’d given Nathan.
He’d suckered her from day one. Seen her designer clothes, the fake Cartier, and assumed, wrongly, that Greer was wealthy. With funds he could tap, if he kept her sweet. He’d obviously had a rethink after throwing her out of his flat that first time.
All that crap he’d spouted about cellular memory. The bastard was just recycling what she’d already revealed about Tom. Those drawings—he’d simply bought them, erased the artist’s initials and substituted his own. Not once had he mentioned stuff she’d not told him, like Tom’s love of D H Lawrence’s novels. Fake, all of it.
