‘Mummy. Where did you go? I’m so happy you’re home.’ She raced across the bedroom floor, leaping on the bed.
‘Easy now.’ Her mother winced. Meagan noticed dirt marks under her nails, like she’d been clawing through mud. Her feet were black, poking out from under the sheet and she had scratch marks on her forearms.
‘It’s so good to see you, Mummy. I thought you’d gone away forever. I looked all over.’
Tricia reached out, pulling her daughter closer. ‘I have a surprise.’
‘What is it, Mummy? Tell me.’
‘Well, Mr and Mrs Tunney have invited us for a barbecue at Sarah’s house. Won’t that be nice?’
Meagan peered into her father’s room, dropping her voice to a whisper. ‘Daddy doesn’t like us going there. I thought he hated Sarah.’
‘Oh Meagan, don’t be silly. Anyway, Daddy’s car broke down this morning, so Mr Tunney helped get it going and invited us over.’ Tricia laughed. ‘He couldn’t say no, now could he? Go and wash, then I’ll get us something to eat.’
‘You need to wash too, Mummy. What happened? Did you sleep in a pit or something?’
Meagan watched her mother turn away as the colour drained from her face. ‘Please, Meggy, go and wash. Enough with the questions, young lady.’
Just after midday, Meagan’s father returned. He had been out for most of the morning. His mood had become more serious, and his face more troubled.
Meagan and Tricia waited patiently while Sean went upstairs to the bathroom to freshen up. He returned a few minutes later, his face beaming, and Tricia struggled to read his state of mind.
The three of them walked across the road together. Tricia wore a summer dress. Sean had donned a pair of short jeans, trainers and a loose white T-shirt. Meagan wore a plain yellow dress.
Sarah was waiting at the front door, waving overexcitedly.
Meagan glanced at her mother, who nodded in approval and let her daughter run across the road.
Mr Tunney came into view, lifting Sarah and swinging her round at the door. Meagan felt a tad envious, wishing her father would do the same thing to her.
They greeted each other at the front door. Sean thanked Mr Tunney again for fixing his car that morning and the invite. ‘God knows I can do with some downtime. It’s been pretty hectic lately; work, family. You know how it is.’
Mr Tunney reached out, placing an arm around Sean, greeting Tricia with a kiss on the cheek and a sly eye roll as if to acknowledge the self-centred remark.
The girls hugged awkwardly, then disappeared into the garden to play with the guinea pig.
Although still overcast, the day had significantly brightened. Everyone was in good spirits, drinking, chatting and enjoying being together outside.
Tricia heard Sean talking to Mr Tunney about the horses, explaining how to place a bet, an accumulator, a tenfold and how he often got tips from the stables, claiming he knew someone who knew someone who worked with a trainer. Yeah, right.
She watched Mr Tunney, a gentleman as always, listening intently, never moving his eyes from Sean as he spoke, holding his wife’s hand and making sure everyone had drinks. His social skills were incredible. He always said the right thing, always cared for the people around him. He reminded Tricia of a head teacher; authoritative, trustworthy and reliable. He also spent time with his daughter and listened to her. That was his most impressive attribute. He listened.
Tricia stared at her husband, watching how well he interacted, how confident he was, and how genuine he seemed. If only they knew.
As Sean opened another bottle of beer, Meagan came racing over. ‘Daddy, please can we get a guinea pig? Sarah says they are so easy to look after. Please, Daddy?’
He laughed, assuring his daughter it would never happen. Tricia changed the subject, talking to Mrs Tunney about the school that the girls attended.
Meagan was pulling at her father’s arm, pleading for a pet.
Sean spoke over her, sounding embarrassingly loud.
‘Daddy. Can I please? Please, Daddy?’
He leant forward and shoved his daughter. Everyone watched her stumble backwards, her right arm breaking her fall.
She was crying. Tricia jumped up, going over to make sure her daughter was okay. She looked towards her husband with venom in her eyes. ‘Sean, really, did you have to do that?’
Sarah came over, concerned for her friend, helping her to stand.
Sean stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over. ‘Guinea pig! Fucking guinea pig. Is that all you lot can think about for Christ’s sake?’
‘Sean, watch your language, please,’ Tricia instructed.
Mr Tunney intervened. ‘Come on, Sean. Forget about it. Drink your beer.’ He regretted the proposal instantly.
Sean swung the bottle up, guzzling half the drink and cracking open another one.
Tricia looked on, perplexed. ‘Sean, go easy.’
He was mid-sentence, raising his hand, beckoning Mr Tunney to wait. ‘What did you say?’ directing the question at Tricia.
She went red, feeling her heart race. ‘I just said “go easy”. It’s a long day. Pace yourself is all I’m saying.’
Sean reached forward, grabbing his wife by the hair, pulling her head back. A large vein showed blue against her pale throat. ‘Say it again.’
‘Sean. You’re hurting me. Stop.’
As Sean let go of his wife’s hair he clasped her jaw, squeezing tightly. ‘Don’t get all brave because we’re in company. If I have an instruction, you’ll hear it regardless of who I’m with.’ He let go, pushing her face away.
Mr Tunney and his wife looked away, unsure of how to act.
Sean turned. ‘Where was I?’
Mr Tunney stood, instantly clearing the plates, bringing them inside. His wife followed, then Tricia got up, staying close behind them and leaving Sean to think about his actions.
A little later, it started to rain, a light drizzle that forced everyone inside. Tricia sat at the table, deep in conversation with Mrs Tunney. The girls had chosen to position themselves on the floor, lying on their bellies, stuffing their faces with popcorn, watching cartoons.
Mr Tunney stood at the sink washing plates. His wife called out, ‘Sarah, can you go and get the guinea pig? He’ll perish outside.’
Sarah jumped up and Meagan followed her. The girls ran out to the garden. ‘Can I hold him this time?’ Meagan asked.
‘Okay. But not for long, remember he’s my pet.’
As Mr Tunney placed the dishes into a cupboard, he heard Sarah screaming. He looked into the garden from the kitchen window, saw Meagan holding her hands to her mouth. He went to the back door, calling out, ‘What is it, girls? What’s wrong?’
Mrs Tunney jumped up, Tricia moving with her. They made their way down the garden path. On the ground at the girls’ feet the guinea pig lay motionless. Its head had been removed.
Inside Sean was putting on his jacket and heading out the door.
15
Present day
Oliver stood over the empty bed.
‘It’s not the same room. It’s not where I broke into.’ He was pointing at a tall grey bedside lamp. He turned to view the room layout, the large wardrobe standing behind the bed, the open curtains allowing him to see outside. ‘This isn’t the same apartment. It’s different.’
Meagan watched him. ‘It’s different?’ There was contempt in her voice. This is my apartment, our home. This was the plan, Oliver. What the fuck have you done?’