Paparazzi by Jo Fenton (e reader manga .TXT) 📗

“Do you want me to contact Roger?”

“I think that should come from Joanna, but if she wants you to do it, I’ll let you know.”

***

Half an hour later, I pull up outside Joanna’s house. Parked in front of me is a silver Audi with the latest registration plate. I’ve not seen it before, and I reckon it’s Will’s car. Nice car for a divorcee with maintenance payments to keep up. My curiosity about my friend’s son rises several notches.

I get out of the car and knock on the door. The man who lets me in is instantly recognisable as Joanna’s son, having the same-shaped eyes, albeit green instead of brown, and similar features. He’s taller than I would have expected though. Joanna’s petite at five foot one; her son tops six foot at a rough guess. More important is the delightful smile that greets me.

“Becky!” He holds out a hand to me once I’ve stepped inside. “Lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” The skin around his eyes crinkles as he grins at me, and I can’t help but warm to him.

“That’s a nice car outside. Is that yours?”

“What, the Audi? I wish. My car blew up last week. It was the final straw after a long line of mechanical faults, but I needed to come and see Mum, so I hired this for the trip – it was only two hundred and fifty for the week. I need to get myself a new car when I get back, but I’ll check out some lease deals. This is a gorgeous drive though.” His enthusiasm is infectious, and I laugh as I follow him into the lounge.

Joanna emerges from the kitchen with a plate of chocolate biscuits – the posh type that comes from the expensive tins. I figure she’s splashed out for her visitor.

“I see you’ve met Will. Sorry I couldn’t come to the door.” She hangs her head as though embarrassed.

I take the plate from her, and put it on the coffee table, then wrap my arms around her slight frame. She breaks down in sobs immediately. I hold her, rubbing her back gently, and murmuring soothing nothings into her ear. “Shh, it’s okay, don’t worry, it’s all going to be fine.” All probably untrue, but appropriate while she’s mid-meltdown.

“I’ll put the kettle on,” says Will, and disappears quickly into the kitchen.

After a few minutes, Joanna sniffs and moves back. I let her go, but reach into my handbag, which is still over my shoulder. A minute’s delving results in the locating of a packet of tissues. I hand them to my friend, who’s now sitting on the sofa, and I plonk myself in the place next to her. I think she needs to be within huggable reach.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

“When Will comes back.” Her voice sounds even thicker than it did when I called. She blows her nose. “First, though, I just want to say, although I’m shit-scared, I feel better with him here, and now that you’ve turned up as well, I guess it makes me feel a bit safer.”

“Matt wants to help too. And he suggested talking to Roger. I don’t know what you think about that, but maybe it’s something to discuss.”

“Definitely happy for Matt to help – I trust him. Not sure about Roger yet.”

Will comes in, carrying a tray with a teapot, three mugs, a jug of milk, a jar of coffee, some sugar sachets and a packet of tea bags.

“I didn’t know what everyone would want. The teapot just has boiling water, so everyone can help themselves.”

“Great idea. Thanks Will.”

I make Joanna a cup of tea and add sugar.

“You know I don’t take sugar.”

“You need it right now. Frankly, if I had some brandy to add, I’d give you that too. For now, sweet tea and biscuits will have to suffice.” I hand her the mug. “Drink it!”

She obeys, which scares me more than anything else. I’m not used to seeing her upset. She’s usually the calm one, helping me to keep it together.

I make myself a coffee, and after a quick question to Will, make him one too.

“Okay. Will, this is your shout. Please tell me what’s happened, and, well, pretty much everything I need to know.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

There have been developments. A woman is dead. And it’s because of me. I felt a surge of energy as I stuck the knife in for the first time. A thrill as she screamed. But then panic struck. I’d stabbed so many times, and it was only when I was sure she was dead that I noticed the blood on my clothes. Thank God for a cloudy night – pitch black away from the street lamps.

Urgent measures were needed. I removed my shoes, before returning home unseen. I then stripped, bagging my clothes carefully in a compostable bag. The cleansing shower was exhilarating. I will incorporate this in any future activities. It will become part of my ritual.

Dressed in clean dark clothes, a short walk to the bins behind my flat enabled me to bury the evidence deep. Bin collection is in two days. I pray that no one will come looking before then.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“I don’t know how much you know, Becky?” says Will.

“I remember that your dad was in prison for beating up a bailiff at his girlfriend’s house after walking out on your mum when she had cancer. That’s about it though.”

“Yeah. Dad was a right bastard. I wish I could say he had a good side, but he was a crap father as well as being a shitty husband to Mum.”

“In what way, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Joanna takes her tea and goes to the stairs. “I’m going for a lie down. Will, tell Becky everything she wants to know.”

There’s a moment silence until constraint is released by the sound of the bedroom door closing.

“Sorry. It’s hard for Mum to hear all this.