Read Online Behind Shadows: A Psychological Mystery Thriller (The Adam Stanley Series Book 1) by Netta Newbound - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Netta Newbound
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in a council house in Scotland. Once I found her again, we met up a couple of times when she came to Pinevale, but things had been very strained between us. I could never understand why she left—especially now, after having babies of my own. There was no way on this earth would I ever leave them.
My brother Andrew disappeared when he was fifteen. His suffering had been even worse than mine—as well as the sexual abuse, Dad also beat him regularly. The police tried to find him but came up with nothing. For years I'd thought Mum must have come back for him, but once I found her, I knew she hadn't. I now suspect my dad was behind Andrew's disappearance.
Pouring yet another glass of wine, I put the cork in the bottle and took what remained to the kitchen. I was afraid I'd drink the lot.
I intended going to Judy's house in the morning to start planning her job. Work would have to be the drug I used to distract myself.
I'd received an email from her earlier asking me to choose the wallpaper and soft furnishings. Her deadline gave me plenty of time if I started straight away. I should be pleased, but instead I felt nothing.
I would be able to do most of the work on the house myself. The place was basically sound and just needed a lift. Though I'd have to employ some gardeners and get a builder to sort the exterior masonry and guttering.
When a car pulled up outside, I got up to peer through the window. I wasn’t expecting it to be Michael as he had gone out on foot.
A small, light-coloured car was parked at the end of the path, and I watched as Michael uncurled himself from the passenger seat—then leaned back in to kiss the driver.
A cry escaped my lips and I held my breath, my hand covering my open mouth.
It was one thing knowing what he was getting up to, but having my face rubbed into it this way just blew my mind.
Shocked by his blatant disregard of my feelings, I still hadn't moved when he let himself in.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd still be up," he said, avoiding my gaze.
"You don't say!" I pursed my lips, walking into the hall. My heart felt as though it was going to burst from my chest, and I knew the tears were itching to fall, but I held them back, refusing to let him see.
"Meaning?"
"Forget it, Michael. If you don't know, I won't waste my breath," I said, totally dejected.
My head held high, I started up the stairs. "I'll be sleeping in Emma's bed. Oh, and for the record, I couldn't go to bed until you got home—the door needs to be deadlocked. In case you've forgotten, there's a nutcase out there. Remember?"
"Amanda," he called as I reached the top of the stairs.
"What, Michael?" My breath came out in a huge sigh.
"Sorry."
I watched as he walked into the lounge. So that was it. The end of our not-so-wonderful marriage. I felt an immense sadness.
Chapter 7
Annie
"If you keep harassing my customers, Annie, you'll be straight out that door." The barman threw a towel over his shoulder and glared at her, pointing a thick sausage-finger towards the double doors.
"Aw, c'mon, Joe, I'm doin' no 'arm. Thish ish me 'ole buddy, aincha pal?"
She had pounced on the man as soon as he entered the bar, trying to hit him up for a drink. She was certain he'd be good for it.
She'd become an expert at picking the weak and gullible ones out of the crowd, they tended to avoid her gaze, often agreeing to anything if she would just leave them alone. She'd almost succeeded with this one too until Joe stuck his fucking big nose in.
The elderly gentleman squirmed in his seat. "Um, er," he stuttered, his watery old eyes pleading with the barman.
Annie pushed herself off the stool and shoved the man in the shoulder. "Be like that then, Grandpa." She swayed, falling sideways.
Experienced with drunks, Joe had seen it coming and reached out, grabbing her by the arm.
"Gerroffme!" she roared, the sound coming from the pit of her stomach. Yanking her arm from his grip caused her to fall off balance in the opposite
My brother Andrew disappeared when he was fifteen. His suffering had been even worse than mine—as well as the sexual abuse, Dad also beat him regularly. The police tried to find him but came up with nothing. For years I'd thought Mum must have come back for him, but once I found her, I knew she hadn't. I now suspect my dad was behind Andrew's disappearance.
Pouring yet another glass of wine, I put the cork in the bottle and took what remained to the kitchen. I was afraid I'd drink the lot.
I intended going to Judy's house in the morning to start planning her job. Work would have to be the drug I used to distract myself.
I'd received an email from her earlier asking me to choose the wallpaper and soft furnishings. Her deadline gave me plenty of time if I started straight away. I should be pleased, but instead I felt nothing.
I would be able to do most of the work on the house myself. The place was basically sound and just needed a lift. Though I'd have to employ some gardeners and get a builder to sort the exterior masonry and guttering.
When a car pulled up outside, I got up to peer through the window. I wasn’t expecting it to be Michael as he had gone out on foot.
A small, light-coloured car was parked at the end of the path, and I watched as Michael uncurled himself from the passenger seat—then leaned back in to kiss the driver.
A cry escaped my lips and I held my breath, my hand covering my open mouth.
It was one thing knowing what he was getting up to, but having my face rubbed into it this way just blew my mind.
Shocked by his blatant disregard of my feelings, I still hadn't moved when he let himself in.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd still be up," he said, avoiding my gaze.
"You don't say!" I pursed my lips, walking into the hall. My heart felt as though it was going to burst from my chest, and I knew the tears were itching to fall, but I held them back, refusing to let him see.
"Meaning?"
"Forget it, Michael. If you don't know, I won't waste my breath," I said, totally dejected.
My head held high, I started up the stairs. "I'll be sleeping in Emma's bed. Oh, and for the record, I couldn't go to bed until you got home—the door needs to be deadlocked. In case you've forgotten, there's a nutcase out there. Remember?"
"Amanda," he called as I reached the top of the stairs.
"What, Michael?" My breath came out in a huge sigh.
"Sorry."
I watched as he walked into the lounge. So that was it. The end of our not-so-wonderful marriage. I felt an immense sadness.
Chapter 7
Annie
"If you keep harassing my customers, Annie, you'll be straight out that door." The barman threw a towel over his shoulder and glared at her, pointing a thick sausage-finger towards the double doors.
"Aw, c'mon, Joe, I'm doin' no 'arm. Thish ish me 'ole buddy, aincha pal?"
She had pounced on the man as soon as he entered the bar, trying to hit him up for a drink. She was certain he'd be good for it.
She'd become an expert at picking the weak and gullible ones out of the crowd, they tended to avoid her gaze, often agreeing to anything if she would just leave them alone. She'd almost succeeded with this one too until Joe stuck his fucking big nose in.
The elderly gentleman squirmed in his seat. "Um, er," he stuttered, his watery old eyes pleading with the barman.
Annie pushed herself off the stool and shoved the man in the shoulder. "Be like that then, Grandpa." She swayed, falling sideways.
Experienced with drunks, Joe had seen it coming and reached out, grabbing her by the arm.
"Gerroffme!" she roared, the sound coming from the pit of her stomach. Yanking her arm from his grip caused her to fall off balance in the opposite
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