Chapter 56: Elliot - The Foster Child

My heart is hammering and I’m struggling to steady my breathing. The way Violet just walked into the house, no invitation, no chance for me to stop her. She was coming in and that was it. What’s she playing at? Am I right and she was working with Rocky and is now working with his murderer?

Or did she murder him?

No, she hasn’t got the strength. She couldn’t have.

I can’t help feeling that someone else is involved. And Violet is always hanging around. And to come here on Christmas Day. The very day I’ve been told that I am going to be killed. If she is working with the murderer then she might be here to facilitate things, and now she’s inside she can send reports about what we’re doing. Open doors and let him in.

Sweat forms on my brow, dizziness sweeps over me and I grip the sink tightly to stop myself from fainting. I’ve got to keep calm and focus if I want to stay alive.

‘Elliot? Has something happened?’

I take a deep breath and turn around to face Cora. ‘I’ve got a bit of a headache. I’ve just taken a couple of paracetamol. I’ll be fine in a few minutes when they kick in.’

Now I’ve worried her. ‘Why don’t you have a lie-down and I’ll keep an eye on the dinner?’ she suggests.

The last thing I want is to lie down. I can’t afford to sleep. I need to keep my wits about me in case the nutcase that sent me those cards makes good his promise to get his revenge. For whatever it is I’m supposed to have done. ‘No, I’ll manage until dinner. Violet will go home then so why don’t you and Lori go and visit your parents? I’m sure they’d love to see you and I won’t feel like I’m ruining your Christmas Day if I take a rest then.’

She looks at me, concerned. ‘Do you feel very ill?’

‘It’s just a headache. I’ll be right as rain once the tablets kick in.’

‘Well I’m not going out and leaving you home alone and ill on Christmas. Besides I’ve had a drink. And we’re seeing Mum and Dad tomorrow.’

I can see that it’s pointless arguing. I’ll just have to stay alert and keep an eye on the cameras.

And I want Violet out of the house as soon as I can. I’m pretty sure that she’s in on it.

* * *

I struggle through dinner. I’m too nauseous to eat. ‘Sorry,’ I whisper to Cora and she presses my hand sympathetically.

We’ve finished eating Christmas dinner and have moved into the living room to relax when Dale phones Cora. ‘Is Lori there? I’ve been trying to phone her all day. Her phone seems to be off.’

‘Lori, is your phone off? Your dad wants to talk to you,’ Cora asks.

‘Can I talk to him on your phone?’ she asks.

‘Of course.’ Cora hands over her phone and Lori snuggles in the chair and chats away to Dale, taking a break to say hello to Sasha and Selena. Then she says goodbye, ends the call and hands the phone back.

‘I would have liked to say hello to Uncle Dale,’ Violet says, looking a bit put out. ‘It would have been nice to speak to him again.’

‘Oh sorry! I never thought.’ Lori looks awkward.

Violet shrugs. ‘It’s okay, never mind.’

I wish Violet would go home and I could have persuaded Cora and Lori to go to her parents’. I don’t want them to be in danger. I reassure myself that it seems that it’s only me he’s after so at least they can keep each other occupied and I can keep checking the cameras to make sure no one is trying to break in. I check the house and garden one more time.

It’s still and quiet. I go back inside and into the living room where they’re still watching the TV.

‘Anyone fancy a drink? Shall I open a bottle of wine?’ I ask, trying to sound upbeat and cheerful and not like I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

‘Oh yes, please!’ Violet says.

‘And me, thanks, Elliot,’ Lori adds.

‘I’ll come and help you. I’ll get the Christmas cake too and we can have a slice,’ Cora says.

‘You stay and watch the film. I can get it,’ I tell her.

She smiles at me. ‘Thank you.’

I go into the kitchen and take out the bottle of wine from the fridge and put it on a tray with four wine glasses. Then put some small plates on the tray and open the cupboard to take out the Christmas cake. I’ve been watching Cora insert brandy into it, then marzipan, then ice and decorate it over the past few weeks and am dying to eat it. I open the tin to take it out and my blood turns to ice. It’s smashed into pieces.