Read WHO FOLLOWS: a gripping, dramatic, intense and suspenseful thriller Online
Authors: Diane M Dickson
I sat for quite some time beside the great tree. The rain stopped and though the trees dripped and the grass dampened my jogging pants it was peaceful and for the first time in two years I allowed the horror of that dreadful night to invade my thoughts.
Ah Maria. I had believed that she was the answer to my loneliness, she was young yes, and so she was fresh and new. She was charming and a little flighty. Her blonde beauty took my breath whenever I watched her moving and laughing and living.
I remembered how the connection between us had grown from the time when we met in the pay queue in the supermarket. She had never known how I had watched her, worshipping her from a distance for weeks. How I had waited outside the hospital until she came off duty and how I had paced back and forth along the road where her little flat was just for a momentary glimpse as she walked to her car.
As the relationship grew we had taken meals together in the little cafes near her home. We had visited bars local to the hospital and all the time I had nursed the idea that we would make a life together. She moved in with me as a lodger and then after a week of bliss I judged the time ready for my declaration.
That dreadful night. The nightmare of it all came back and as I sat on the damp grass I heard her laughter again and the mocking words with which she cruelly rejected my advances. I heard again the crack as the heavy lamp connected with the bones of her skull and the soft shushing as her limp body crumpled to the floor.
Oh my God, I cried for the horror of it all there in the dripping woodland. I cried for the fear, the panic and the grief. I shook like the quivering leaves above me as I re-lived the desperation and the enormity of my actions. I sobbed as I remembered what I had done to preserve my existence. I had wrapped the still warm body. Collecting the few belongings that she had moved into the little bedroom I left my house with her for the nightmare drive to the Heath. I dug in the dark woods. Now I imagined I could hear again the heavy thud her body made as it rolled over the heap of earth I had piled beside the shallow hole.
I stopped my mad mindrace. I drew a deep breath and I stood. For a moment I bowed my head in sorrow. There was no use for this and so I straightened my shoulders, stiffened my spine and turned away.
Oh yes I feel so very much better and so I jog back towards my home. Through the wood and the Heath and down the shimmering streets. As my feet pound the damp flagstones I feel a new resolve growing. I will handle things differently this time. My dearest Hannah, with you I will be sure to judge my time better. I am glad now that I haven’t spoken yet. Providence was with me last night, oh yes. All is well and my heart is light as I approach my road.
I see that the massive car is still in my drive and as I draw nearer I see that Hannah has come to collect it. She is climbing into the driving seat and I raise a hand to wave, to catch her eye. That is when I notice that there is another figure in the car, a passenger in the other seat. Another woman I think. At this time in the morning who is this with her in the predawn light? Here she is collecting her car like a thief in the night and with a collaborator.
I am puzzled and uneasy. Was she trying to avoid meeting me? Surely not after the wonderful evening we spent. More importantly though who was the passenger in the other seat?
As I take my shower I mull those moments and what I had seen over and over until I doubt the evidence of my own eyes. I know that the car has gone and so there is solid proof that I did indeed see Hannah but was it a trick of the dull light and shadow that made it appear that there was another figure inside? My mind whirls and my nerves jangle with perturbation. I must take control. Stepping out of the needling water I use a harsh towel to rub my body until it is pink and humming. Downstairs the watery light through my kitchen window shines on my scalding cup of coffee as I sit at the table trying to concentrate.
I have spent a very emotional and highly charged night. No sleep, rather an excess of alcohol and the turmoil in my soul caused by the visit to the wood.
In truth I know so very little about her life. I had taken it as read that Hannah lives alone. She tells me that she is divorced but continues to run the interior design business with her ex-husband. I assumed that she occupies the flat that she has, off the London Road by the hospital, alone.
To date I have not declared my interest. The times that we have spent together have been as loving friends. She knows nothing of when I possessed her shawl, those wonderful nights when it lay across the pillow on my bed and I caressed it and smoothed it as I drifted into sleep. Tears start to my eyes at the thought that there is someone else who shares her life.
I think that the shape in the car was female. Oh how cruel that would be for me to find that there is another love interest and that it should be someone like myself who appreciates Hannah’s beauty and femininity. Someone who treats her with gentle care as I would if only I were to be given the opportunity.
I am bereft and my mind races this way and that, I am unable to catch a thought and pin it down. My hands shake and the coffee splashes onto the table top. Roughly I push back the chair and it tumbles to the floor scratching the front of the cupboard. I pace back and forth across the tiles, my hands wring and tears escape to trace lines across my cheeks.
I take a deep breath. I declare aloud, “Stop now, stop it.” I stand before the window and allow my brain to settle, my thoughts to calm. I will go now, today. I will find the flat in the street off London Road and I will watch. It is something I do well. I will find a place from where to keep vigil, a place where I am invisible and I will watch and when I see the truth then I will make my plan.
I leave the house and take my bicycle and ride through the quiet roads, round by the park and then down to the London Road. I have her address on a piece of paper. It is so easy now to find addresses on the internet. Just a couple of minutes that is all it took me. I can see it opposite to me, the converted Victorian mansion and in the front parking area the great black car. Now my love, now I will watch you like a guardian angel.
Five days have passed since the night that I spent in the woods with my memories and Maria. I have watched for most of that time hidden in a dark corner near to the house where Hannah has her flat. There is a church almost opposite with an imposing gateway. The stone pillars are tall and wide and the pathway overhung with a dark growth of trees and shrubs. It is perfect for me.
I suppose that in years gone by I could not have used that place, churches were visited daily and I would be continually in danger of being seen. Now though, apart from scavenging dogs and one or two old ladies with sad little bunches of flowers there is no passing traffic. The old ladies barely glanced at me, there is a war memorial just beside the pathway and I made a great pretence of reading the names inscribed in the stone.
From my secret place I was able to see Hannah’s flat very clearly. I was there in the morning before she woke. She rises at around seven. The first day I was there from four because I didn’t know her routine but after that I was able to arrive between six and seven.
The light in what I have discovered must be her bedroom flashes on behind the filmy cream curtains. It is a small light and I imagine it to be some sort of alarm clock, probably one of those which turn on the radio. Does she listen to music as she wakes or is it The News that starts her day? So much for me to discover about her. There is a small window beside the bedroom and the glass is frosted and so of course this must be the bathroom, this is the one that is illuminated next and then the loveliest thing of all. The first morning I was overwhelmed by what I saw. The flat is on the second floor and so it must feel very private and so my beautiful girl comes to the kitchen window in the early morning light. Her hair is dishevelled from tossing in her sleep. The light is behind her and her head is alight with the golden strands of unkempt hair. Quite, quite beautiful. Each day she has worn a gown with thin straps and as my eye lights on her almost bare shoulders I imagine the feel of that night warmed skin I anticipate when I am able to caress it and enfold her in my arms.
For three of the days she left quite early and climbed into her car to head into town. I pedalled quickly through the back streets and was able to arrive very shortly after she did at her little office in the old building near to Costa. I stayed in town all day watching in case she went out or met anyone and then repeated the trip in reverse to see her turning on her lights as she arrived back at her home.
I am far, far behind in my work. Two deadlines have passed unfilled and I have many calls needing to be returned, but for now it must all wait. My house has grown dusty and there is no fresh food left in the fridge. I can’t spare the time to shop. Should I turn my back for a moment I could miss her meeting with someone or leaving her work for a lunch time dalliance. I can’t risk any time away from where she is.
The other days were a worry to me, she rose at the usual time and then stayed in the flat for longer. Eventually driving away, she headed in the other direction and off towards the motorway. Of course it was impossible for me to follow then and I spent the days in agony wondering where she was and what she was doing.
However, one thing is now clear to me, and I can hardly contain my delight – she does indeed live alone.
I have watched her walk from room to room, stand by the window and pull the great heavy curtains at night and always it is she and she alone that I have seen. One day another person arrived just after she had gone into the flat. It was a woman who rang the bell. Hannah came to the door and invited her inside. It didn’t cause me any discomfort because it was clear that although they did seem to know each other there was no real affection evident in the greetings and the visitor stayed about an hour before leaving on foot.
My worries were for nothing. She is alone in her life and so when I make my move there will be nothing and no-one for her to worry and wonder about. The relief I feel is overwhelming.
I have called her today, I have invited her to a play and for dinner tomorrow evening and she has told me that she will let me know by this afternoon. I don’t know why she couldn’t agree immediately, there can be no reason for her not to come. I have seen her life, it is quiet and really I think rather empty. Well not for much longer, my dear Hannah. I intend to fill every moment of your future with my love.
She can give up the flat, I imagine that it is rented and there is no need for her to keep it on. She will come here of course. I did consider preparing the smaller bedroom but then held off for now. She might well want to bring some of her own things and then together we will set up our home. I am so happy for her, she is as yet unaware of my plans for us, but how can she fail to be anything but delighted when I set it all before her?
I have bought a nightdress like the one that she wears. It is wrapped in tissue in one of the empty drawers just waiting. I have been rather silly and bought some of the perfume that she uses, this is in the drawer also. I have been able to find a shawl just like hers and I use it now when I sit and read in bed. It makes me feel close to her and I have sprayed it with the perfume. I can almost believe that she is here with me already.
The strains of Beethoven ring out from my mobile. I am always shocked when it sounds, in fact I am going to change it to a more ordinary ringtone. I had thought it was quirky and modern of me to have it sound music but now I have to confess that it doesn’t suit me. Pressing the tiny button my heart jumps as I see the message on the screen, Hannah calling.
“Hannah, my dear. How are you?”
“Fine, yes just fine Amy. I am calling about the play, about tonight.”
“Ah, you are coming aren’t you?”
“Yes, yes that’s it. I am really looking forward to it. Shall we eat before or after, it may be quite late?”
“I did wonder, my dear. How about we eat afterwards and then maybe you could come back here with me and spend the night. I could make up the spare room and you would be very welcome.”
“Well, your place is about the same distance from town as mine. I don’t see that it would save any time.”
I must think quickly, she must come, she must.
“Oh I thought that we could eat at the new French place that has opened and it is nearer to me. If you don’t want to that’s okay, I’ll cancel the booking.”
“Oh, gosh no, no I didn’t realize you had gone to such trouble. No, no that’s fine.”
“I thought that we could eat and then come back here for a nightcap and you won’t have to worry about driving or anything.”
“Well, it seems a bit erm.”
“Look, don’t let me force you. I realize that you have a very busy life and that it may be a bit of a bother for you.” I play on her sympathy, I try to pull at her gentle nature.
“Amy please don’t be upset.” Is it working, my ploy? “Of course I will come and stay, it will be lovely. I’ll come to you about seven in the car and then we can take a taxi to the theatre and be relaxed about it all. I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“No, I’m not offended my dear. I don’t want to be a bother to you.”
“Oh, Amy you could never be a bother. I’m looking forward to tonight. It will make a lovely change and then in the morning I’ll treat you to breakfast in town.”
She is coming. She will be here with me in my space for a whole glorious night. We will wake together in the morning. I don’t want to go out to breakfast but judged that I had argued against her enough. There will be the opportunity to change that plan in due course.
I am in a state of absolute bliss. The room is polished and shining, there are fresh flowers in a bowl on the dresser. I have made up the bed with soft cotton bedding and sprayed her perfume lightly on the pillow. The new gown is spread across the bed. She will be so surprised when she finds the preparations I have made for her. Champagne is in the fridge. I can’t settle, can’t sit still.
Tonight can’t come fast enough. The clock ticks slowly counting the endless hours until we meet. I toss clothes across my room trying to decide what to wear. I have a wonderful sense of anticipation, my life will be changed after tonight. I shall have a companion, a house mate and a loving friend. Oh I know that it may take a little while to persuade her that I am right but once she is here and sees how well I can care for her, how simple I can make her life then all will be well.
The biggest surprise though will be the room at the top of the house. I have converted it into the most wonderful office and studio for her. I have installed all the things that she needs. I have studied her web site in great depth and the pictures of her office. I have copied them, blown them up and researched all that I saw. I have reproduced it entirely, she will be so thrilled. She will never have to go to town, she can stay here with me. I will work in my office and there she will be just above my head working in hers.