Chapter Ninety-Four


    Lila’s sleep had not been restful in the slightest. Her dreams seemed to be filled with imagery of Piper, and the way she’d been murdered, alongside Asher being swept away by a tidal wave at the beach with Marlene maliciously laughing nearby. Normally, her dreams were hectic in the strange department, but this seemed easy to interpret. Her anxiety surrounding Piper, Asher, and Marlene had coherently leaked into her dreams.


    She opened her groggy eyes, looking immediately for her phone to see if Asher had sent her a message, or opened any of hers. As expected, he hadn’t.


    Looking at the time, it seemed that Lila had managed to miss her parents after having not seen them the night before since Clare delivered her dinner to her. She wondered as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes if they wanted to say something to her regarding Piper. If they did, it would have to wait until they got home this afternoon.


    Clare was eating something in the kitchen when Lila shuffled her way into it, yawning.


    “Morning,” Clare said, her voice cheery. “Glad to see you’re awake. I was about to come up and wake you.”


    “Glad to see you’re awake too, Clare.”


    Clare grinned before turning her attention to her phone. “You might want to eat something light if you’re hungry. Jumping around all morning until noon will do a number on your stomach.”


    “So, what’re you eating then?”


    “Just some apple slices and a coffee,” Clare replied, glancing up at Lila and wiggling a slice in the air. “We’ll grab something fun for lunch on the way back, so you’ll starve if you don’t have breakfast but not for too long at least.”


    “Something fun?”


    “Yeah, something different. Usually, when we’re too lazy to cook, we go for the tried-and-true Maccas, or KFC, or Red Rooster, or something. Let’s try something new.”


    Lila nodded with another yawn. “Sounds good.”


    She selected an apple from the fruit basket sitting just in front of Clare, pulling out a suitable knife amongst the myriad of dented, mismatched kitchenware to cut it up with. She placed the apple on the board, raising the knife into the prime position for a decent slice when the imagery of Piper’s murder reappeared in her mind’s eye. She dropped the knife onto the kitchen counter with a clatter, narrowly missing her hand and dry retching.


    “You okay?”


    Clare was beside her in a flash, already rubbing Lila’s back by the time she recognised her sister’s presence. Clare gingerly moved the knife away with her free hand, her eyes jittery with concern as they took in Lila’s pale face.


    “Y-Yeah,” Lila leaned over the counter, inhaling deeply. She hadn’t expected that at all. Somehow, her face felt wet with tears.


    “Here, sit down,” Clare gently guided Lila to the chair opposite hers. “I’ll cut it up.”


    The only sound in the kitchen, as Lila wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt, was the chop of the knife passing through the apple before connecting with the bamboo board underneath. Clare rinsed the knife before arranging the slices onto a small plate in the shape of a crude flower and placing it neatly before Lila.


    “Thanks,” Lila said weakly, staring at the plate.


    Clare eyed Lila carefully as she sat down opposite her, holding her coffee cup with both hands. Lila avoided Clare’s critical gaze as she took her time choosing a slice. She’d never been close to Piper, and instead would have preferred for Piper to not have ever made herself known to Lila – so why was she feeling this way? Was it to do with the visceral violence of her death?


    “It looks like you’re taking this awfully hard, Lila,” Clare observed quietly, taking a sip of her cup. Lila crunched an apple slice between her teeth before sighing.


    “I don’t even know why,” Lila confessed, choosing her next slice through blurred vision. Again with the tears.


    “Even if you didn’t like her,” Clare said softly, placing her cup down and appraising Lila carefully, “you still knew her. Plus, the details were so awful. I… don’t want to freak you out, but perhaps you’re grappling with the idea that it could’ve been you. Since you’re both the same age, went to the same school, liked the same guy – all of that.”


    Those words resonated deeply within Lila. All of that sounded right. And… she felt sorry for Piper, her friends, and her family. It was hard not to. Piper had been robbed of the opportunity to even finish high school, whilst Lila was gearing up to return… perhaps, after some time, Piper might’ve given up on Asher and gone on a different path. Perhaps she might’ve made something of herself. But… Lila would never know. No one would.


    Lila wiped away more tears as she nodded, biting down on another apple slice. “I-It’s just… so horrible. Terrifying, even. Who could’ve done this? How… do we protect ourselves?”


    Clare didn’t respond for a few moments, her face looking contemplative.


    “I… don’t have any answers,” she finally confessed, tossing an apple slice in her mouth. “Besides not being by yourself, staying vigilant, and even just not going out. Obviously, you’ll need to go to school, but… the police might have some answers by then.”


    “Yeah,” Lila muttered, squeezing a piece of her apple so tightly that it slipped out of her hands and pitifully landed skin-up on the table.


    “But I still think we should go to Bounce,” Clare asserted, her eyes having followed the trajectory of the apple before returning to Lila’s face. She didn’t even crack a hint of a smile, her face entirely stoic. “Get some of this scared, nervous energy out. Maybe even exhaust you so you just sleep it off.”


    “Alright.”


    They didn’t exchange any further words as they finished their plates of fruit. Lila returned upstairs, finishing up for Bounce. She supposed she’d get by in some athleticwear since it was filled with trampolines.


    Tying her hair up in a high ponytail, Lila traipsed back downstairs, phone shoved in her pants pocket. Clare was also dressed in athleticwear and nodded approvingly at Lila.


    “You look ready to do some flips,” she smiled, though the smile didn’t meet her eyes.


    “No thanks,” Lila replied with a shiver. “I’ll just quietly bounce in a corner by myself.”


    “That’s no fun,” Clare pouted, spinning her car keys on her finger. “Anyway, get your shoes on. Let’s go.”


    Again, Clare didn’t have her usual playlist on, opting instead for more Taylor Swift. Lila hadn’t realised that Clare was this much of a Swiftie. She presumed that perhaps this choice was because Taylor Swift was far less intense than her usual EDM. It was probably for Lila’s benefit, though Clare did know a suspicious amount of the lyrics to most of the songs, it seemed.


    They didn’t speak on the way to Bounce, with Lila trying to focus on the scenery rather than any intrusive thoughts threatening to take hold.


    Upon arriving, they checked in with the tickets Lila had bought and acquired the requisite grippy socks. Clare wrinkled her nose as they exchanged their runners for said socks, placing them together in one cubby hole.


    “Alright,” Clare smiled brightly, “let’s bounce.”


    Lila didn’t have the strength to muster even an eye roll for Clare’s pun as they moved towards a free spot. The entire establishment was broken up into several parts – one containing a foam pit, the main area which was essentially covered wall-to-floor in large trampolines, and an obstacle course featuring trampolines on the other end. There were mainly school-aged kids bouncing around, but it wasn’t as busy as Lila had thought it might be. Had the murder scared off potential patrons as well, or was it just because it was a Tuesday?


    Clare glanced over her shoulder before grabbing hold of Lila’s arm.


    “C’mon, spacey. Jump with me,” Clare said bubbily. There was something in Clare’s eyes that didn’t sit well with Lila, but she didn’t ask or argue with her sister. They bounced in the centre of the nearest empty trampoline of the main area, the thrill of doing so quickening Lila’s heartbeat. Once Clare acclimatised to the setup and the strength required to get to a certain height, she began to twirl and flip in the air, her movements akin to a flag in the breeze. Some of the kids around them stopped their movements to watch, including Lila.


    She stared in amazement as Clare kept tossing herself higher into the air until a staff member waved her down. Lila overheard the staff member requesting that Clare restrain herself for safety reasons before returning to the front desk.


    “No fun,” Clare pouted, flopping backwards onto the trampoline. Lila joined her and they continued to lay there for a while. Lila was glad that she’d chosen the two-hour tickets – she wasn’t sure if she’d have enough enthusiasm for longer than that. Not that she had much now anyway.


    Clare slowly sat up, casting a look around the establishment. “Let’s shuffle along that way,” she said, pointing to an empty trampoline. Lila followed Clare’s lead. Though… the way Clare was looking around, her eyes wide and glassy… began to make Lila feel nervous.


    “Is everything okay?” Lila asked, peering around to see if she could spot what was making Clare act this way.


    “Yeah, yeah,” Clare replied instantly, her tone unconvincing. Lila raised an eyebrow at her but Clare remained tight-lipped.


    “Let’s bounce, Lila. Stop worrying,” Clare insisted, using her legs to propel herself in the air. She cartwheeled, landing on her hands which she used to bounce once before landing on her belly.


    “Ow…” Clare grumbled, rolling onto her back. Lila smirked, the first one she’d managed all day, kneeling next to Clare.


    “I guess that’s what you get for being a show-off,” Lila said, helping Clare up.


    “Yeah, yeah,” Clare rolled her eyes, bumping Lila with her hip. “Where’s your moves?”


    “Got none. Not a cheerleader, remember?”


    “Eh, pish-posh,” Clare huffed, flapping a hand dismissively. “Come on, get going.”


    Clare set about teaching Lila a trick or two before they both engaged in a competition to see who could bounce the other the highest. It seemed like Lila was winning until the same employee came over again and gave them a stern talking-to.


    After the employee left, Clare and Lila shared a look before bursting into giggles. Clare had been right – gradually, as Lila engaged her muscles and exerted force, her nervous energy began to leave her. It was a welcome distraction, after all.


    Until, of course, Clare told Lila to move to another trampoline yet again.


    “Clare, what’s going on?” Lila asked, frowning.


    “I think someone’s following us,” Clare whispered, gesturing to the general crowd to their right. Lila whipped around, trying to see who it could be. For a heart-stopping moment, she thought she’d see Piper. But… of course, she wouldn’t.


    Now that the possibility that Lila had a new stalker was on the table, though, she had the unsettling feeling of shivers scuttling beneath the surface of her skin. Surely Clare was imagining things…


    But… perhaps she wasn’t. Perhaps Lila had attracted the attention of someone who wished to harm her. Clearly, there was someone running around who was capable and now experienced in doing that. Were they really safe, even if they were together?


    “Sorry,” Clare mumbled, grabbing Lila’s hand and pulling her to the side. “I didn’t mean to ruin it. It’s probably nothing.”


    “But it could be something,” Lila replied quietly, her breath catching in her throat. “It… could be.”


    Clare looked around again before grasping Lila’s shoulders. “It’s nothing. I’m just being paranoid,” she said firmly, meeting Lila’s eyes with a serious gaze. “Let’s enjoy ourselves.”


    Lila tried as best she could to follow Clare’s suggestion. It proved difficult, with each jump into the air leaving Lila more self-conscious than the last. Surely if she drew attention to herself, and there was someone looking for their next victim here, she’d be targeted.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Their allotted time drew to a close with Lila feeling much more subdued than when she came in. They put their shoes back on, confirming with the staff that they were allowed to keep the grippy socks for next time, and hurried into Clare’s car.


    “That was fun,” Clare said, her false attempt at sounding cheery sending goosebumps up Lila’s neck.


    “S-Sure,” Lila replied, turning her attention to the scenery outside the window again.


    “What exotic thing would you like for lunch?” Clare asked even though she’d already started exiting the carpark.


    “Seems like you have something in mind,” Lila murmured.


    “Ramen?”


    Lila turned to look at Clare before turning back to the window. Despite the fact that she’d only eaten an apple today, Lila wasn’t feeling hungry.


    “Sure,” Lila sighed.


    “If it’s that bad of an option, we don’t have to go.”


    “No, I’m just not that hungry.”


    “Ah. I think this place can do a half-serve of noodles, if that’ll help. You should eat something, Lila. You used a whole bunch of energy today.”


    “Okay,” Lila acquiesced. “Ramen sounds good.”


    “Alright.”


    Clare wordlessly drove them to their next destination – a ramen store nestled within the Asian centre of the neighbourhood around Forestglade. Lila hadn’t been here before, the smell of the store upon entering wafting enticingly through Lila’s nose. It was decorated with black and white canvas prints of Japanese streets, red paper lanterns, and several red banners. The bar table was a deep, rich brown colour, though Lila and Clare opted for a table and chairs towards the centre. They were exuberantly greeted and seated without even a second of lingering.


    Clare guided Lila through the ordering process, which included a heavy amount of customisation, including saltiness, chilli powder, and richness. Seeing the option to add an egg to her ramen, Lila took it. She smiled lightly, remembering Asher’s face upon laying eyes on his egg and cheese the other day.


    ‘God, I miss him,’ Lila thought, shaking her head. She had no business missing him this terribly, since they weren’t dating. But… despite that, she couldn’t help herself. Maybe if he were here, she wouldn’t feel so paranoid…


    Was it paranoia, though? Or was it a healthy amount of fear in these conditions? Lila peeked at Clare, who was still concentrating on her own order. Clare hadn’t acted oddly since arriving, but they also went straight into ordering. Lila looked around the store, double-checking to see if someone at Bounce had followed them here. She didn’t recognise anyone, but her skin still felt tingly with apprehension.


    Clare submitted the order and poured them both cups of water.


    “Hope you’ll enjoy it,” Clare smiled. “Best place in town, I reckon.”


    “Glad to try it, then,” Lila replied automatically. She stared down at her cup of water before taking a sip. She took another, suddenly incredibly thirsty.


    “Sorry for ruining Bounce,” Clare said in a low voice. Lila shook her head.


    “Stop saying that. You didn’t ruin anything. Although, if you keep going, you might.”


    “Noted.”


    Clare bit her lower lip, her eyes still seeming troubled. Lila sighed, taking hold of Clare’s hands within her own. She was surprised to feel how cold they were.


    “It’s fine,” Lila said emphatically. “Don’t worry about it.”


    Clare gave a hollow laugh. “That’s shit I say when we all know it’s fake news.”


    Lila couldn’t disagree.


    Clare reached out and tucked a lock of hair that had escaped Lila’s ponytail behind Lila’s ear. “We’re fine,” Clare uttered. Her eyes quickly darted to one side before she shook her head. “I’m just freaked out since you’re my baby sister. I can’t have anything happen to you, you know. It’d kill me, and our parents. Daniel too, I suppose. My head’s on a swivel so I can take out any threats.”


    Lila managed to laugh, though it was just as empty as Clare’s. “I get it. I’m worried about you too, dummy. It’s… hard to enjoy myself and feel safe out in the open, though. I don’t think I’ll go out for the rest of the holidays at least.”


    “That sounds like a good idea,” Clare said in a measured tone. “A very good idea.”


    “Thanks, sometimes I pull ‘em outta my ass.”


    Clare squeezed Lila’s hands in acknowledgement before letting go – their gyoza had arrived.


    The rest of the food followed soon after, and Lila was suitably impressed. The egg yolk was the perfect amount of runny to incorporate with the noodles, and the broth was deliciously umami in flavour. The pork chashu melted in Lila’s mouth as she ate. She was glad that she’d only gotten a half-serve, though – her appetite still hadn’t returned to normal, despite having calmed down some due to the cosy atmosphere of the shop.


    Once they were done, they piled into Clare’s car. Neither spoke, with Clare turning up the volume to Taylor Swift again.


    ‘Damn, Taylor’s got a shitton of songs,’ Lila thought as she pulled out her phone and began scrolling absently. Her Instagram was surprisingly filled with very little updates. Had… everyone decided not to post because of Piper?


    Just as she contemplated this, a notification flashed on her screen. It was a message from Asher.


    Lila sat up so suddenly that Clare swerved.


    “What’s happened?” Clare questioned shrilly, taking control of the car again.


    “J-Just got a message from Asher,” Lila replied, opening it up.


    “Is it… a nude?” Clare queried in a hushed voice.


    “Stop being weird.”


    Clare fell silent which allowed Lila to absorb the message.


    L –


    I heard the news. Hope you’re well. Vanuatu is great. Reception is terrible. See you when I get back.


    A


    Lila blinked in confusion. Was… that even written by Asher? Sure, he’d sent stuff that sounded similar, way in the beginning of the year, but their recent texts had been far more familiar than that. Surely he would’ve said something about the news about Piper – like that it was horrific. Maybe add some detail about Vanuatu. Maybe even send a plan for his return. Plus, he never referred to her as ‘L’ or himself as ‘A’. It sounded more like a stock-standard postcard from a souvenir shop than a message from Asher.


    Truthfully, she was a little crestfallen. It didn’t sound personal at all. Had… she been hoping that he would say he missed her?


    As she tried to think of what to respond with, her phone buzzed again.


    Marlene says hi. Miss you.


    A deep blush formed on her face, bringing with it a genuine, bright smile. Lila saw Clare glance over in her peripheral vision but kept her eyes glued onto her phone in case he sent something else.


    “Seems like a nude,” Clare said, her tone teasing.


    “Shut up,” Lila replied, her tone mirroring Clare’s. Clare snorted but complied.


    Lila’s phone buzzed again.


    Please respond. I don’t have much time.


    That… sounded ominous. Much time? Though, if the reception was as bad as it seemed, perhaps he was in a particularly good spot that he couldn’t stay in for some reason.


    I miss you too. It’s crazy here. Please come back safe. Let me know what day.


    Lila reread her message over and over again before sending it. She didn’t want to send multiple texts in a row, and she was very wary of his deliberate inclusion of Marlene in his limited messages. Why was it only Marlene and not Asher’s Dad that said ‘hi’? Was he trying to tell her that Marlene was reading over his shoulder?


    Truthfully, she wanted to spill everything – how the show on the coast went, how her family made it onto the news, how Bounce went… how much she missed him – his company, and the safety she felt with him. How there wasn’t as much laughter anymore without him. Not to mention his warmth in these plummeting temperatures – both in his interactions with her, and his actual body heat. And how she was terrified of every movement she made outside her house, how freaked out everyone was, as well as her theories about all the mysteries they had yet to solve – even her slip-up with Isaac about Elise.


    Saturday morning. I’ll text you when I’m in the airport. Have to go.


    The message flashed in her hands as she looked down at it. Saturday, huh… that meant… she only had a few days to bring some theories, paths to go down, and evidence to Asher.


    Stay safe, Lila messaged back. He didn’t respond, nor did it seem like he opened it.


    As the car ride continued, Lila wondered whether Isaac had received a message from Asher. So, she asked.


    Yeah, Isaac replied after a few minutes. Just responded to the article. Said ‘Crazy’ then ‘Gotta go’. I don’t even know if he saw the update, that it was Piper. Super weird response.


    Even Isaac thought Asher’s texts were odd…


    Are u at work, Lila sent. A minute passed before she received a response.


    Yup. Fave place. Freezer. Screaming.


    Lila smirked as she imagined Isaac doing exactly that. Enjoy, she replied before locking her phone screen.


    The fact that Asher had sent that he missed her sent flutters through her body. She folded her arms underneath her chest as if to contain them, the sensation making her smile. It also sounded like he sent her more messages than he sent to Isaac. Did he actually miss her? Did he miss her like how she missed him?


    Her smile slowly faded as she recalled the rest of his messages. Had Marlene been looking at what he was sending her? If that was the case, why? Was she trying to control what he sent with his limited reception and time? What would he send if Marlene wasn’t there?


    She opened the messages and read them once again. He’d… found a spot specifically to talk to her, and tell her he missed her – despite Marlene being there, if she had been reading his messages to Lila. That realisation alone was leaving her breathless and scatterbrained.


    Lila remained in a decidedly good mood all the way home. Clare parked the car, her face entirely puzzled.


    “Wow, I can’t imagine the volume of dick pics girls would end up receiving if we all reacted like that,” Clare said, raising an eyebrow. Lila glared at her.


    “For the last time, there are no nudes,” she huffed. “Asher just… sent me a text saying he missed me.”


    “And that’s made you look like that?” Clare’s suspicious expression melted into one of awe. “That’s so fucking adorable.”


    Clare reached over to pinch Lila’s cheek but she slapped her sister’s hand away.


    “Sometimes, I forget how innocent you are,” Clare said, patting her slapped hand. “It’s making me feel old.”


    “Maybe you are old, since you keep saying stuff like that,” Lila replied playfully before dashing out of the car and into the house before Clare could catch up.


    Lila couldn’t hold back from looking at Asher’s message for the rest of the day. There was just something so sweet about it that she almost wished she could pull it out of her phone and keep it on her desk, or somewhere close by. Instead, she settled on gazing upon it with a goofy smile on her face every so often, amongst watching various videos on her laptop.


    She wondered, briefly, whether these feelings would be more or less intense if they were actually dating. She shouldn’t really be feeling like this – it was bordering on obsessive. She had no right to those feelings… but… though her logical brain was pumping the brakes, the rest of her brain was turning into mush. Given Asher’s absence, it was the next best thing to having him there with her. She’d take what she could get.


    A sturdy knock sounded on Lila’s door, interrupting her video on YouTube drama, and she invited the knocker to enter. It was her Dad, who warily stepped in, casting an uncertain look about her room. For a moment, Lila thought the folder containing information about the Forestglade Private Hospital was splayed out on her desk – but she remembered with a tiny sigh of relief that she’d covered it with her textbooks after her haphazard jigsaw puzzling.


    “You… seem to be in a good mood,” her Dad observed, sitting heavily down on her desk chair.


    “A bit,” Lila replied, turning her phone screen off.


    “Good, good…” her Dad trailed off, glancing at her desk. “Preparing for an educational battle, I see.”


    “Yeah,” Lila said simply, shifting slightly on her bed. She hoped he wouldn’t look too hard at it…


    After a moment, he rubbed his face, seeming tired beyond belief. Lila lowered her laptop lid, looking over at him curiously. Evidently, he wasn’t here to peruse her textbooks.


    “I just wanted to check in on you,” he said after a weighty pause. “After Clare told your Mum and me about that girl – Piper.”


    “I’m fine, Dad.”


    He pursed his lips, looking at her shrewdly like he knew she was lying. She sighed before moving her laptop next to her and fiddling with her fingers in her lap.


    “I’m not fine,” she admitted quietly.


    “I thought so,” her Dad replied, nodding. “Do you want to talk about it?”


    “There’s… not really much to talk about.”


    “Sure there is.”


    Lila squeezed her hands together. It wasn’t as though her Dad could magically fix the worries that Piper’s death had imparted on Lila.


    “Look, Lila,” he said gently, rolling towards her on the desk chair. “For peace of mind’s sake, I think you shouldn’t go out in the meantime.”


    “I wasn’t planning to.”


    “Good. I hope the police have some answers soon. Preferably an arrest, of course.”


    “Same here, Dad. Especially… why. And who could’ve done this.”


    “I’d expect nothing less,” her Dad replied, a tinge of exasperation in his heavy sigh.


    Lila stared at the outline of her hands, which swam in front of her unfocused, blurry eyes. The police… Should… she tell her Dad that she saw Piper after her last known whereabouts?


    Her Dad stood up, drawing her attention back up to his face. He looked fatigued out of his mind – as though just sitting here with Lila had sapped all the energy out of him. If she asked about going to the police, her Dad would, without a doubt, look even worse. She didn’t need to stress him out like that. She’d make her decision in her own time…


    “How’s work?” Lila asked, the sudden query surprising even herself. He blinked down at her.


    “Same as usual,” he said, though he avoided her gaze. “Hard at work finding answers.”


    “I’ve noticed Mum’s been going in with you a lot more lately,” Lila continued. She didn’t know what she was hoping to achieve with this line of questioning, but now that the thought had occurred to her, she couldn’t back down.


    “She has been,” her Dad confirmed. “We had a very busy financial year last year. She’s had to process a lot more than usual, and now she’s in almost every day to help finalise the books. We have a bit of time to do that, but it’s already the first week of July.”


    “Ah,” Lila uttered softly. She didn’t really know what any of that meant, but it sounded important. “I see.”


    “Plus, with you kids in high school and Uni, she gets a bit bored.”


    “Why doesn’t she start working again?”


    Her Dad shrugged. “Doesn’t need to. But, knowing her, she probably will once you graduate. She might be able to stick it out until Daniel graduates, but she’ll be back in the workforce professionally soon, I’m sure. Besides, I think she enjoys spending time with me during the day.”


    “That makes sense, I guess,” Lila smiled, privately thinking that his bashful expression was precious.


    “What’s up with the twenty questions?”


    “Just curious.”


    Her Dad gave her a piercing look, one that went straight through her soul, sending shivers down her spine. “That curiosity of ours isn’t always a good thing, Lila. I want to encourage you to follow your nose, but some things are better left alone.”


    Did… her Dad know something about her activities? The look he was still giving her made her feel nervous. It almost felt like he was scanning her mind, uncovering all of the secrets and knowledge she held behind her fastened lips.


    He released the hold his eyes had on her, travelling mere centimetres from her door, when he turned around again.


    “I haven’t told your mother about Piper,” he said frankly. “Specifically about why we had the meeting with the Headmaster. I only told her that there was an issue and that I’d resolve it with the school.”


    Why was he telling her this? Lila’s eyebrows twitched, but she didn’t dare ask lest she be reprimanded for her curiosity again.


    “That look you’re giving me tells me that you want to know why I just said that,” her Dad surmised. “It’s a roundabout way of saying to not tell her. She’s already frantic, worried out of her mind about you and Daniel. I think if it wasn’t the first week of July, she’d be glued to you both, not wanting to leave either of you unsupervised for a second. If she knew that you not only had a personal connection to Piper but that she had bullied you to that extent before turning up murdered months later, she’d go into overdrive.”


    Lila nodded, suddenly having lost her voice. Her Dad was keeping something from her Mum. Something that she perhaps ought to know, being Lila’s mother. But he’d still decided to keep it a secret.


    “Damn. You can tell we’re related.” Clare’s voice from ages ago, when Lila had asked Clare to go with her and Daniel to the bank, forced its way to the surface of her mind. She could hardly keep up with all the secrets her family members were keeping from each other – it was becoming a sticky, tangled web.


    “You understand, right?” Lila’s Dad asked, resting his hand on the doorknob. He looked grave, his tired appearance becoming even more exaggerated.


    “I understand, Dad. I wasn’t planning on telling her anyway. I know she’d fret over something she couldn’t solve.”


    “Yeah. If she happens to finish her work with the agency as she plans to tomorrow, she might end up staying home with you guys the rest of the week.”


    “Noted.”


    Lila’s Dad carefully appraised her before nodding, seeming satisfied with their conversation. “See you at dinner, kiddo.”


    “See you then. Uh, thanks… for checking on me.”


    Her Dad’s face broke into a warm smile. “Anytime, Lila.”