An Impossible Secret (13 page)

He'd been waiting almost an hour. Even if she'd gone to the cafeteria for lunch (she usually brought sandwiches from home), she should have been back. If only he'd bought the phone last week, he'd have been able to call her. He was on the point of going to look for her when his phone rang. It made him jump, and drew a disapproving look from the librarian who pointed to the 'Phones must be turned off' notice. The caller ID displayed the letter 'L'. It was the phone Kerry's mum had called him on—it was Lizzie's phone. For a moment he froze—he hadn't heard or seen Lizzie since he and Kerry had got back together. He'd always known this moment would arrive, and had wondered how he'd handle it. He was about to find out.

“Hello?” he said, and then swallowed to clear his dry throat.

“Brice?”

It wasn't the hate-filled, aggressive voice of Lizzie. He should have been relieved, but there was something in Kerry's mum's voice which told him everything was not well.

“Is Kerry okay?” he said. “Is she with you?”

“Sort of—”

“Lizzie?”

“Yes.”

“Is she there now?”

“She's getting changed. I'm not sure where she plans on going.”

“Keep her there until I come over.”

“I'm not sure if I can.”

“You have to try!”

Brice paid little heed to the speed limit as he drove to Kerry's. When he was close to the house, he kept his eyes peeled in case he spotted the familiar leather-clad blonde. When he arrived, he saw Kerry's mum at the window. Her hand gestures told him what he needed to know—Lizzie was still in the house. His heart was racing, and his mouth was dry, as he knocked on the door.

Chapter 62

“I'm going out,” Lizzie shouted to her mother, who was staring out of the window.

Before she reached the door, someone knocked.

“What do you want?” she said.

Brice was staring at her, but he said nothing.

“Well?” She spat the word. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see—”

“Kerry? How nice! What are you? Stupid? How many times do I have to tell you Kerry doesn't want to see you? You're a loser. Why don't you do us all a favour and fuck off!”

“Kerry and I are an item,” he said.

“An item? What does that even mean?”

“I love her.”

“How nice. How sweet. I've got bad news for you—she doesn't love you. She hates your fucking guts. She just doesn't know how to tell you. She doesn't want to hurt your feelings. I said I'd do it for her. I said I'd tell you.”

“You're wrong. Kerry does love me.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“So why did she ask me to wreck your car? Why did she ask me to make the phone calls?” Lizzie screamed.

“It doesn't matter what you say. I love Kerry, and she loves me. Why don't you ask her?”

“Why don't you fuck off?”

“I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to wait right here until Kerry comes back.”

“Do what you want. You're wasting your time.”

She pushed past him, and stormed off down the road.

Chapter 63

“Are you okay?” Kerry's mum appeared in the doorway. Brice didn't respond for several seconds—his gaze was locked on the leather-clad blonde in the distance.

“I think so.”

“Come in.”

“Shouldn't I go after her?”

“It won't do any good. If you confront her, it'll only take longer. Come in.”

Kerry's mum made coffee for them both. Brice drank his while staring out of the window.

“What usually happens?” he said.

“She'll come back in her own time. It can be minutes or hours. She usually goes straight to her room, undresses and falls asleep.”

“Then what?”

“When she wakes, she has no recollection of Lizzie.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm not sure of anything. Not even the so-called experts know exactly what happens.”

“I thought Kerry knew about Lizzie?”

“She knows she exists, but she has no idea when Lizzie will appear, or what she has done.”

“How long is it since this happened?”

“I haven't seen Lizzie for weeks—not since you two got back together.”

“Why now?”

“I don't know. Something must have triggered it. Had you two fallen out?”

“No. I was with her in the library this morning—she was fine. When I went back at lunch time, she'd gone. The strange thing was that her books were still there.

“Something must have happened after you left her this morning. Might some of the students have had a go at her?”

“It's possible. I know some of the other girls don't like the idea of her being with me.”

“Do you still want to be with her now you've met Lizzie face to face?”

“Why would that change anything? I love Kerry.”

When the door opened, Brice jumped to his feet. Before he could go through to the hallway, Kerry's mum put a hand on his shoulder. At first he didn't understand, but then she shook her head, and mouthed the word 'wait'. There were footsteps on the stairs. Moments later, a door slammed closed.

Brice was impatient, but he allowed himself to be guided by Kerry's mum who cautioned him to wait until Kerry woke up.

“She doesn't usually sleep for long.”

It might not have been long—no more than twenty minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

A floorboard creaked above their heads.

“She's getting up,” Kerry's mum said. “I'll leave you two alone.”

Brice was nervous, and would have liked her to stay. He was unsure what to expect, and uncertain what to do, but he knew he had to face Kerry alone.

Chapter 64

Kerry checked her watch; she'd lost almost two hours. Sitting up in bed, she wracked her brain to remember what had happened. The last thing she could remember was waiting for Brice in the library. She had to get back there—he'd wonder where she'd gone.

Within minutes, she'd dressed, and run a brush through her bed hair.

“Mum?” Kerry called as she took the stairs two at a time.

The door to the living room opened.

“Brice?”

“Are you okay?” he said.

“Yes. Why? What happened?” Her voice wavered. “Did I—Did she—?”

Brice took her hand, and led her into the living room.

“Lizzie?” she asked, but already knew the answer.

He nodded.

“No!” Kerry buried her head in her hands.

“It's okay.” He pulled her to him—wrapping his arms around her trembling body.

It was several minutes before she had calmed down enough to speak again.

“What happened? What did
she
do?”

“She tried to warn me off you.”

“I'm sorry. So sorry.”

“There's nothing to be sorry for.” He tilted her head, so their eyes met.

“This isn't fair on you,” she sobbed. “You shouldn't have to put up with this shit.”

“Shit? I thought Lizzie was the only one with a potty mouth.”

“Sorry.” Kerry managed a smile, but it was only fleeting. “I'd allowed myself to believe she'd gone. I'm so stupid.”

“What triggered it?”

She hesitated.

“I'm not sure.” Kerry knew precisely why Lizzie had appeared, but she wasn't ready to share with Brice—not yet.

“Your books were still in the library. Did someone upset you at uni?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm certain. I didn't speak to anyone.” Kerry pulled away from him. “I hate Lizzie. I really hate her.”

“You mustn't say that.”

“It's true. You must hate her too.”

“I don't. She has your interests at heart. Besides, she has great legs under that mini skirt.”

Kerry wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly.

“I thought you didn't like to see girls in short skirts?”

“I think I've been blaming the clothes for too long. It isn't what a girl wears that determines who she is. My mother could wear a nun's habit—she'd still be a whore. If you wore a short skirt, it wouldn't change who you are. You'd still be the same person I fell in love with.”

“Where's mum?” Kerry said.

“She thought it best to leave us alone. Oh, by the way. I've got a present for you.”

“What?”

“You'll see.”

“Tell me. I hate surprises.” Kerry wrinkled her nose.

“Tough. Stay here while I fetch it.”

Kerry's mum was leaning against his car.

“How is she?”

“Okay.”

“You're a good boy.” She embraced Brice and then went to find Kerry.

“You want to keep hold of this one.” Kerry's mum put a hand on Brice's shoulder. “He's one of the good guys.”

“I know.” Kerry smiled.

Brice waited until he was alone with Kerry again and then pulled open his sports bag.

“It isn't new, but it'll do for now.” He handed her the phone.

“It's great. Thanks.” Kerry flipped it open. “You'll have to show me how to use it.”

“It will be my pleasure.” He sat beside her on the sofa. “Do you see that envelope icon? You've got a text.”

“Who from?”

He smiled. “Tap it to open it.”

Kerry read the message:

I love you.

Brice xx

Chapter 65

“Where's the punk tonight?” Jimmy said—his gaze never once leaving Jeannie's chest.

“Who?” Brice said.

“You know who I mean.”

Brice shrugged.

“Okay. Where's Kerry? I thought you two were joined at the hip.”

“She's gone to see her mother.”

“Don't they live in the same house?”

“Ha, ha. You're hilarious as always. Her biological mother.”

“Didn't you get an invite?” Jimmy asked.

“I offered to go with her, but she said she wanted to go alone. She's going to call me later, so I can pick her up.”

“So, you're her chauffeur now.”

“I don't mind.”

“I didn't think she had a phone.”

“I bought her one.”

“This is getting serious.”

“It was second-hand.”

“Cheapskate.”

 “Are you done staring at my tits?” Jeannie said. “My face is up here – just in case you're interested.”

If she'd hoped to embarrass Jimmy, she was to be disappointed.

“You're even more beautiful when you're angry.” He grinned.

“Really?” Jeannie lifted the half glass of beer, and upturned it over his head. “You're even more ugly when you're wet. Idiot!”

“I think I'm in there,” Jimmy watched Jeannie rejoin her friends.

“Yeah. She's obviously besotted by you,” Brice said.

“Are you ever going to tell me the story about blonde punk?” Jimmy dug a scruffy-looking handkerchief from his pocket, and began to wipe his face.

“No.”

“That's what I figured.”

Chapter 66

 After what had happened on the previous occasion, Kerry was hesitant to make the call. Several times, she'd picked up her new phone (which she absolutely loved), and held her finger over the call button. Each time, her nerve had deserted her. After an hour, and a stern talking to herself, she finally found the courage to press 'call'.

“Hello?”

“Dawn?”

“Kerry? I've been hoping you'd call.”

“Really?” A sense of relief washed over Kerry. “I wasn't sure if I should or not.”

“I'm glad you have. We have a lot to catch up on. When can we meet again?”

“Whenever suits you,” Kerry said.

“What are you doing now?”

“Nothing really.”

“Why don't you come over? Raymond has gone away for a few days.”

“Raymond?”

“My partner.”

“Are you sure it's okay for me to come over now?”

“Positive.”

“Great. I'll be over as soon as I can.”

Brice had offered to go with her, but this was something Kerry needed to do alone.

Dawn was standing by the window, and waved when she saw Kerry's taxi pull up outside. The terraced house, two up, two down, was spotless inside. It was obvious to Kerry that Dawn didn't have children.

“Does your partner work away?” Kerry asked.

“Raymond? Usually a few days every couple of months.”

“Have you told him about me?”

“Not yet. I'm going to, but it's going to come as a bit of a shock.” Dawn shook her head.

“I don't want to damage your relationship.”

“It won't. Raymond is a good man. He's the kindest man I know. I'll tell him when he gets back. I'd like you to meet him some time.”

“I'd like that, too.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Dawn said.

“Brice.”

“Nice name. You should have brought him to meet me.”

“Maybe another time.” Kerry hesitated. “There's something I have to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I don't know how to—”

“Go on. Please. Just say it.”

“Peter Stafford—my father—is dead.” Kerry had been dreading having to deliver the news.

“I know.”

“But, you said—”

“I'm sorry. I should have told you before.”

“Why the hell didn't you?” Kerry took a deep breath. “Sorry. I didn't mean to snap. Why didn't you tell me my father was dead?”

Dawn turned away. For several minutes, she was silent.

“Dawn?” Kerry put her hand on her mother's. “Are you okay?”

Her mother nodded, took a deep breath, and turned to face Kerry. “It's difficult for me to talk about this. Raymond is a good man, but Peter was my first love. I ruined his life. I ruined everything. It's my fault he killed himself.” She could hold back the tears no longer.

Kerry's instinct was to comfort her mother, but she didn't know how. Instead, she waited until Dawn had composed herself enough to speak again.

“We hadn't known each other long, but we were in love. Peter was thrilled when I fell pregnant—he couldn't wait to get married. I wasn't sure, but I let him persuade me that everything would be okay. And it was, for a while—”

“What happened?”