The Darkest Summer Read online

  The power Vince exuded that made people revere him somehow increased his appeal to me. I’ve no idea why. I imagined being on his arm, the two of us posing for photos on a red carpet at my first movie premiere. Him with his muscular arm around my shoulders, me with a ten-carat diamond solitaire on my engagement finger. Flashbulbs exploding in front of us as they took our photo.

  ‘You okay?’ he asked, his attention back on me once more.

  I realised I’d been daydreaming. ‘Sorry.’ I blushed, hoping he couldn’t guess what had been going through my mind. ‘Who was that man?’

  ‘No one you need to worry about.’ He raised his right hand and moved his thumb lightly over my heavily made-up cheek. ‘You look much older with this slap on your face.’

  ‘You don’t approve?’ I asked, panic surging through me.

  ‘Of you looking older?’ He scanned the room. ‘I couldn’t care.’ My mood plummeted. I had angered him, and I wanted to cry. ‘Of you wearing this gunk on your face?’ He studied me briefly. ‘You’re far prettier without it.’

  I was barely able to hide my relief. I beamed at him. ‘Really?’

  Soothed by his assurances, I put my shoulders back, standing proud. I wanted him to approve of me. I tilted my head in what I hoped was a coquettish way, and smiled at him.

  He smiled. ‘You’re gorgeous, do you know that?’

  ‘Yes,’ I fibbed.

  He lowered his voice and leaned closer to me. ‘Good girl, not letting that creep touch you up. You look out for yourself. I wasn’t sure if the clientele at this place might be a little too full on for you, but seeing you in action puts my mind at ease.’

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ I insisted, loving his protectiveness over me.

  ‘You get any problems,’ he lifted my chin with his finger, ‘you tell me, and I’ll have a word with them.’

  ‘Okay, Vince.’

  ‘Promise me, Mimi,’ he said, his beautiful eyes seemingly boring into my soul.

  ‘I promise,’ I said, my stomach contracting under his focus. My heart pounded when he leaned closer, grazing his lips against my cheek. At that moment I would have agreed to anything.

  ‘Good girl. You’re special and I’ve got big plans for your future. How about coming out with me tomorrow afternoon? I’m testing out my new Ferrari. Have you ever been in one?’

  I shook my head.

  ‘Good, then you can come with me to the country. Maybe I can buy you a little treat of some kind.’

  I couldn’t believe someone as handsome as Vince was taking me out. I imagined us together in his flash sports car, a silk scarf tied around my hair as we raced along the lanes. I didn’t own a scarf, but it was enough to dream. Maybe I could ask him to buy one for me.

  My heart pounded with excitement, but before I could think of a response the manageress came over. She gave me a withering look before kissing him firmly on the lips. She made her point only too clearly. I took a breath to speak, when I saw him watching me over her shoulder. He winked at me, soothing my irritation with her slightly.

  When she stepped back from him, he said, ‘Greta, you’re looking glorious as ever. I was just telling your waitress here how you make all the difference to this place.’

  She ignored me, but pouted at him. ‘You’re a liar, Vincent Black, but a charming one.’ Then giving me a sideways glance, she added, ‘If my waitress doesn’t get a bloody move on, she’s going to be looking for another job tomorrow morning.’

  ‘Sorry, Miss,’ I said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. I bobbed a curtsey. Vince widened his eyes, but I could see the amusement in them. ‘I was waiting for my tray to be filled.’

  She glared at me through her thick false eyelashes. ‘Remember, you don’t mix with the clientele until you’re one of my hostesses.’

  Vince took her by the arm. ‘Come on, Greta, stop worrying about your girls, for once. Join me for a drink. We haven’t caught up with each other for months. I’ve missed you.’

  I watched them walk away, her rounded hips swaying from side to side as Vince whispered something in her ear. She threw her head back and shrieked with laughter. My chest constricted. It was all I could do not to grab a nearby glass and aim it at her head. Her hand stroked his lower back and rested on his buttocks. I wondered if they had ever been lovers. If they were lovers now.

  ‘You can cut that crap out for a start.’

  I immediately turned my attention to the middle-aged barman. ‘What did you say?’

  Wiping a glass with his tea towel, he motioned towards Vince and Greta. ‘You shouldn’t get on the wrong side of either of those two,’ he whispered, shaking his head. ‘You’ll live to regret it if you do.’

  I looked back at the pair of them deep in conversation in a burgundy velvet booth to one side of the club. I was sick of everyone treating me like some country kid who barely knew how to tie her own shoelaces. I was tougher than I looked and one day I would prove it to them all. I glowered at the barman in silence, watching him make a couple of cocktails. He pulled the lid off the cocktail shaker and poured the pink liquid into two glasses.

  ‘Just be careful.’ He wiped the bottom of one of the glasses where he’d spilt a few drops before loading them onto my tray. ‘You’re new around here. You don’t know the ropes. Take it a little easy until you do.’ He held up a glass to one of the mounted optic dispensers at the side of the bar. ‘Don’t look now, but Greta’s watching you,’ he warned, his lips barely moving. ‘Get a bloody move on, or she’ll have you out that door. I mean it, kid. Watch out for yourself. Do your job, bugger off straight home afterwards, and you’ll be okay.’

  I picked up my tray carefully. I might be irritated, but I didn’t fancy having to pay for a round of expensive, spilt cocktails. ‘I’m not as soft as I look,’ I said, glaring at him briefly before walking away. ‘That old cow doesn’t scare me.’

  ‘Well, she bloody well should, and what’s more, so should he.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  2018 – Oakwold, New Forest

  Sera

  ‘Maybe Dee is starting to feel a little better,’ I whispered, when Mum and I were on our way up to bed later. ‘She was less uptight today.’

  She didn’t look convinced. ‘Well, I haven’t noticed any improvement. I still think something’s amiss between them if you ask me. And what about Hazel, they don’t seem to be in contact with her at all? Don’t you find that odd?’

  I had the same suspicions, but I didn’t want to add to the tension between them so kept my thoughts to myself. ‘You’ve never been interested in what Hazel was doing before. Why would you want to know now?’

  ‘Before, she was nearby on that damn farm, now she’s gone. I can’t help being curious to know what’s become of her.’

  That didn’t make sense. The mother I knew would have been only too pleased that Hazel wasn’t about to come and visit her son and daughter. ‘You’re not happy Dee’s come to stay here, are you?’

  She put a finger up to her lips and pulled me into her bathroom, closing the door quietly behind us. ‘There’s something about that girl.’ She shook her head slowly. ‘She was always such a bubbly young thing; I can’t make her out at all now. It’s as if she’s a completely different person, although we know she’s not. What could have possibly happened to change her so radically?’ She glanced at herself in the mirror, as if she was expecting her reflection to have the answer. ‘How long will she be staying here, do you think?’

  I would have liked an answer to that question myself. All I knew was that she’d had an especially difficult time of it lately, whatever ‘it’ was. ‘No idea.’

  ‘I know you were a little lonely before they came here, darling,’ my mother said. ‘But I think I preferred it that way.’

  I couldn’t blame her. It was her house and it did feel a bit like Dee’s life was taking over our once peaceful home. I agreed. ‘I think I did, too, but Leo’s a good man and he’s doing his best to keep everyone happy. Even if I cou
ld turn Dee away, I couldn’t do that to her little girl, or Leo. I feel sorry for them both. I think they’re struggling as much as Dee is, in their own way.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ she mused. ‘Leo’s turned into a delicious-looking young chap, especially when you think how gawky he used to be. It’s a shame he couldn’t stay here without them.’ She raised a perfectly waxed eyebrow. ‘I remember when he was younger and came here with his sister, he was always mooning about over you then.’

  Her comment surprised me. ‘I never noticed.’

  ‘No, because you were oblivious to the poor boy’s feelings,’ she said. ‘And always day-dreaming about some pop star or other.’

  ‘He’s three years younger than me, Mum. When you’re almost a teenager, three years is a big difference in age.’

  ‘True.’ She smiled. ‘Thank heavens those couple of years don’t matter when we’re grown-ups.’

  I couldn’t help smiling. ‘You’re impossible, do you know that?’ I teased, pecking her on the cheek before leaving the bathroom, only to find Leo outside on the landing, staring out of the window across the fields behind the house. I hoped he hadn’t overheard Mum and me chatting.

  ‘I love this house,’ he said, his hands pushed into his pockets.

  As he turned, he stared at me with a look of such intensity it almost took my breath away.

  ‘Sera,’ he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ‘I enjoy being with you very much.’

  This wasn’t what I wanted to hear and I hoped Mum would not choose this moment to come out of the bathroom. I struggled to come up with a fitting reply.

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest looking awkward. ‘You know what I mean.’

  I didn’t know how to react but not wishing to cause further problems in the house, I replied, ‘I’m glad you’re feeling at home here.’ I was aware it wasn’t what he’d been hoping I’d say. He was such a caring guy and I didn’t want to drag his embarrassment out any further, but I couldn’t lie to him. ‘I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you again.’

  He went to say something then seemed to think better of it. ‘Thank you. I know being in the New Forest is doing Dee, Ashley and me the power of good.’

  ‘I’m glad being here is helping you all.’

  * * *

  ‘Wake up, Sera.’ Mum knocked quietly on my bedroom door, early the following morning. Her voice was just above a whisper, but the shrill tone of it woke me. ‘Hurry up, I need you to come and see something.’

  ‘I’m coming,’ I groaned, flinging back the duvet and getting out of bed. ‘What…’ I started to shout as I opened the door, but she put her hand over my mouth to shut me up.

  ‘Shhh.’ She motioned over her shoulder to the attic stairs. ‘Let me in.’

  I did as she asked, not that I had much choice. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked as soon as she closed the door, leaning against it and rolling her eyes heavenward. Mum had a tendency towards the melodramatic, she was an actress after all, but this was a little over the top even for her.

  ‘This really has to stop, Sera,’ she said in a way that didn’t invite argument. ‘That mad girl was ranting outside in the garden first thing this morning. I’m amazed it didn’t wake you; it bloody well woke me up. I’ve got lines to learn and it doesn’t get easier as I’m getting a tiny bit older. I need my sleep, darling.’

  My mother never swore. ‘Mum, my room overlooks the road at the front; I wouldn’t hear anything happening in the garden from here. Did you work out what was upsetting her?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, but Leo manhandled her out of the back gate pretty soon afterwards. I think the child is still sleeping upstairs, though I can’t imagine how. What do you think happened?’

  I rubbed my eyes. ‘How would I know? I was sleeping when it all kicked off, remember?’

  ‘Get showered and dressed, so you’re ready for when they come back – if they come back.’ I could hear by the tone of her voice she would rather they didn’t. Unimpressed with my reaction, she flounced off before I could say another word.

  I went into the bathroom and undressed, stepping into the shower cubicle. I turned on the water, not caring that it was freezing cold after the initial shock of it hitting my skin. The water slowly warmed and my brain cleared. Another drama with Dee, this was becoming a habit. I poured a little shampoo into the palm of my hand, lathered it up and washed my hair. What was happening to my once peaceful life? I washed and stepped out of the shower, drying myself hurriedly before, still damp, dressing in fresh underwear, shorts and a T-shirt.

  I could hear voices and a commotion outside the back of the house. I didn’t want Katie to get a fright so kicked my damp towel out of the way and ran onto the landing. ‘Katie?’ I called. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Mummy, Mummy,’ she shouted from downstairs. She was up earlier than usual. I hoped my mother was down there with her, but could tell by the panic in Katie’s voice that she was frightened.

  ‘I’m coming now.’ I ran down to find her. She was waiting by the kitchen door, sucking her thumb. She’d picked that up from Ashley, I thought with irritation, not for the first time wondering why I’d seen fit to invite them into our home to cause so much disruption. I bent and lifted Katie.

  ‘It’s all right,’ I whispered, kissing her tanned cheek. ‘Let’s go and see what’s going on, shall we?’

  Leo was holding Dee by the shoulder and shaking her. ‘That’s enough. You have to stop this. Getting hysterical isn’t going to help anyone, is it?’

  ‘What’s happened?’ I asked, not sure I wanted to hear the answer. He tilted his head and smiled at Katie.

  ‘I’m sorry if we scared you.’ He bent down so his face was level with hers. She immediately turned away from him, burying her face in my shoulder. ‘Silly Dee found a lizard in the garden,’ he said, stroking her arm.

  I frowned at him in confusion. It was a silly comment and obviously not the reason behind her hysterics, but it had the desired effect with Katie.

  She looked at him, eyes wide with curiosity. ‘Was it big, or small?’

  He held his index fingers about four inches apart. ‘I don’t know, but it was about this size.’

  She didn’t seem very impressed. ‘That’s only small,’ she said with disdain.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘But Ashley hasn’t ever seen a lizard, so if you go and find her, we can show her one together.’

  Katie smiled and wriggled to get down. ‘Okay.’ She ran off up the stairs and when I was confident that she wasn’t within earshot, I turned to him and Dee. She was hugging herself tightly and sniffing noisily in between sobs by the back door.

  ‘What the hell happened?’ I demanded. I wasn’t going to let the atmosphere in my home be ruined. ‘Quickly, tell me before Katie and Ashley come down.’

  Leo rubbed his face with both hands. ‘They’ve found a body.’

  What did he say? I stared at him, stunned. ‘Who has? Where?’

  Dee cried out. Leo glared at her and she blew her nose on a soggy tissue. ‘Our old farm, that’s where,’ he said.

  ‘A body at the farm?’ I repeated like an idiot. I couldn’t focus for a second. ‘Henri?’ I asked, terrified of Leo’s reply.

  He shook his head. ‘No. He’s the one who found the body.’

  I closed my eyes, relief flowing through me. For a moment there I’d assumed the arsonist had returned. I tried to gather myself. ‘How do you know all this?’

  Dee sobbed again, and Leo pulled her into a hug. I suspected he was trying to shut her up. ‘You’ve got to get a grip on your emotions, Dee.’ He looked over her head at me. ‘I went to the bakery in the village to buy us croissants for breakfast. The woman serving in there told me. There were a few people in the queue gossiping about the chap – you know, Henri.’

  ‘I can imagine,’ I said, unable to keep the irritation from my voice. If any of those miseries had bothered to try and get to know him, I was certain they wouldn’t be so quick
to judge.

  He shook his head slowly. ‘They don’t like him much around here, do they?’

  No, they didn’t. ‘I think they’re only suspicious about him because he doesn’t mix with them.’

  ‘Silly bugger. He should make the effort if he hopes to settle here permanently.’

  He was right. It wasn’t the best way to integrate in any town. This was a tight-knit community and a stranger – especially one who had obviously encountered a traumatic past and now kept to himself – was asking for interest, if not suspicion. Even Leo was already back in the fold, having made an effort to shop locally and chat to people. He always bought meat from the butcher rather than driving a little way to the supermarket and it was noted and appreciated by the locals.

  ‘It’s easier for us,’ I said, wanting to defend Henri’s actions. ‘We lived here years ago. Some people still remember us from when we were kids.’ Although, I had to admit Henri didn’t seem to care how the town people were towards him, as long as they left him well alone.

  ‘True.’

  ‘Does anyone know who the dead person is?’ I asked.

  ‘No,’ Leo said, raking his right hand through his hair. ‘No one can work out who it could be.’

  I tried to imagine how horrifying it must have been for Henri to make such a grim discovery at his farm. Dee sniffed and I turned my attention back to her. What possible reason could she have for being so upset?

  ‘I need to make sure Henri is coping with all the attention this must be bringing him,’ I said, ignoring Leo’s disapproving glare at me. Not wishing to discuss the matter with Mum and add fuel to her suspicions about Henri, I added, ‘Can I leave you to look after Katie while I pay him a visit?’

  For a moment, I thought he might refuse. ‘Of course,’ he said eventually. ‘Please ask him to let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.’