Page 76 of The Silent Bride
With a jolt, I realise that Francesca has not come here to be calm and reasonable.
She’s come here to cause trouble.
Chapter Forty-One
NOW
Francesca has come here to cause a scene. She’s angry with me. She’s trying to come across as poised and sensible, but she’s dropped this wild accusation that almost makes me want to laugh out loud it’s so outlandish.
I take a deep, steadying breath and try not to rise to the bait or get drawn into a disagreement. I don’t mind her being upset with me, but I’m not about to start playing stupid games. It takes every ounce of self-control not to ask what she’s talking about.
‘You know he studied psychology, right?’ she says.
I give a slight nod.
‘Well, he also has a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy diploma. Did you know that?’
I didn’t know that, but I’m not going to admit it. ‘What does that have to do with what happened at my wedding?’ I ask, a sick feeling starting to creep up my gullet.
‘Think about it,’ she replies.
I’m trying to make sense of what she’s saying, but my mind is fuzzy and slow.
‘Laurence didn’t want you to marry Seth,’ she continues. ‘He was in love with you. But you were in love with Seth. He couldn’thave admitted to you how he felt. He didn’t stand a chance. Instead, he used the power of suggestion to make you fall out of love with your groom.’
‘I’m sorry,what?’ I say with a disbelieving laugh. ‘That just sounds ridiculous.’
‘I know,’ she agrees. ‘It does. Which is why it’s so brilliant. No one would ever guess what he’d done. No one would believe it.’
‘Exactly,’ I reply. ‘And I’m afraidIdon’t believe it either.’
She shakes her head. ‘Think about it ... you were all set to marry Seth and then on your wedding day you suddenly didn’t recognise him. What else could have caused that? The doctors were stumped. The brain scans came up clear ...’
‘Even if what you’re saying is possible,’ I reply. ‘Laurence would never in a million years do anything like that. You forget, I’ve known him since we were kids. He might have studied hypnotherapy, but that doesn’t mean anything. He’s an ethical person. He’s agoodperson.’ Something else occurs to me. ‘Do you actually have any evidence for any of this? It sounds like it’s just a mad theory you’ve come up with.’
She bows her head for a moment before looking back up, hint of apology, and maybe some defiance, in her eyes. ‘I’ve still got a key.’
‘Akey? You mean to the flat?’
‘I came back here once while you were at work and Laurence was out.’
‘What the hell? You broke in while we were out?’ I straighten up and lean forward. ‘You can’t do that. You’re not on the rental agreement any more.’
‘Just hear me out, Alice. I did it with good intentions.’
‘I don’t believe this,’ I mutter, shaking my head. The thought of her being here while we were out, going through our stuff. It gives me the creeps. She might have been hurt by Laurence, but this hascrossed the line. It’s stalkerish behaviour. ‘I think you should go, Francesca. I know it’s hard, but you need to move on with your life and let Laurence do the same.’
‘Will you please just listen to me first? I know what I did was wrong and I won’t do anything like that again, but just hear what I have to say. Please.’
‘Fine. But then you have to leave.’
‘I will, I promise.’ She shifts on her stool and continues. ‘So, when I was here, I went into Laurence’s office. Checked out his emails and search history. At first, I admit, it was just to be nosy, to find some kind of clue about when you two started seeing one another. I didn’t believe that you hadn’t had an affair.’
‘That isnotokay,’ I say, my agitation growing with every second. ‘And I already told you that we weren’t seeing each other.’
‘Yeah, I know. But I wasn’t about to take your word for it. Or his.’
‘That’s fair, I suppose,’ I reply grudgingly. ‘But it still doesn’t excuse you breaking in here. You went on his laptop?’
