His Silence - Chapter 43

The moment the minibus leaves I run back into the house. Jeremiah and Oliver are both still talking in the dining room. Mary might’ve spotted Callum and I speaking from the window. There’s no way she would’ve been able to have worked out what we were talking about though. Could she have bugged either of us?  I shake the thought out of my head, and then I think of Oliver carrying me back to my room last night, and her getting me out of the clothes. It would’ve given her ample enough time and the perfect opportunity to place a bug on me. Stop thinking about it, I would’ve noticed if they had.

I enter the kitchen. A young couple, they can’t be much older than me are at the sink, washing up. I recognise the woman I spoke to yesterday; her curly red hair makes me realise who she is. Abigail, I’m sure she said her name was. God, it’s going to be hard remembering the names of everyone here, it took me ages to get everyone’s name who I work with right.

‘Oh, Grace.’ Damn, they must have some sort of secret WhatsApp group Callum and I aren’t a part of yet. Or if not, once Mary has hold of something from Oliver and Jeremiah, it spreads around the house like wildfire. I turn around. ‘There’s a fresh pot of coffee on the table. Help yourself.’

‘Thanks, but I’m just heading back out to the annexe,’ I say, inching closer to the door.

‘Oh, you haven’t been introduced to my partner. This is Isaac,’ she says.

The man with the tattoo on his neck looks over his shoulder, hands still submerged in soapy water. Now I can make out the tattoo is of a raven. ‘I’ve been meaning to say hi to you, Grace. I hoped to catch you last night at dinner, but . . .’

Abigail glares at him. ‘It wasn’t Grace’s fault she passed out.’    

‘I wasn’t suggesting that in the slightest,’ Isaac replies, the water in the sink sloshing over the side.

The features on Abigail’s face tighten. Were they discussing me before I came in? Did Isaac think I’d faked passing out last night?

‘Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Isaac, I’m sure we’ll have a chance to have a proper conversation at some point soon. D’you mind if I head off, I just want to freshen myself up after breakfast?’ I say.

‘Of course, and Grace, when you’re ready come and talk to me, yes,’ Abigail says. It doesn’t sound like an invitation, more like a command. ‘I’d love to have a moment of your time.’

Danielle, my name is Danielle. I repeat the words over and over in my mind. I won’t let them take my identity away.

‘Um, sure, yep, I’ll come and find you.’

‘See you soon,’ she says, waving.

I feel as though I’ve been holding in my breath when I step outside into the garden. I was only in the kitchen with them for a few moments, but God it felt awkward. I race to the annexe, keen to get back there before Oliver does.

I fling open the door and step into the hallway. Silence greets me. He’s not here. Heart thudding I turn to his door. He can’t be here.

‘Oliver,’ I say, unable to stop my voice from shaking.

There’s no reply. He’s not here. I glance up the path through the window in the door. He’s not coming.

I reach my hand out, and push open Oliver’s bedroom door.