‘Yes.’
Her mother was silent again.
‘Mum, he was about to slit my throat,’ said Ellie, emotional. ‘If Abby hadn’t done what she did, both of us would be lying dead in the woods. But do you see what I’m saying?Abbysaved my life.’
Susanna was taken aback. ‘What?’
‘You told me she hated me, that she was dangerous. You told me she did that awful thing to me when I was young. But she saved me. Without Abby I’d be dead.’ Ellie paused. ‘Which means I think it was you, Mum. You were the one who poisoned me, like Abby said all along.’
‘Now hang on a minute.’
‘Please, no more lies. I just want to know why you did it. Actually, I don’t want to know that. I need to tell you something. You robbed me of my childhood. Do you realize that? You took something from me that I’ll never get back. And what I really want to know is, do you feel bad for what you did?’ Ellie’s voice cracked. ‘All those times sitting watching while I cried as a doctor performed tests on me...the hours and hours of feeling I was missing out when I was kept home from school...the terrible sense that I was left behind, that I was a failure. What about all those things? Do you ever regret it?’
Susanna mustered a deep breath. ‘Ellie, you need to listen to me.’
‘Mum, stop.’
‘Please. I beg you.’ Susanna waited and, when Ellie said nothing, she continued. ‘This man she shot. You say he had a knife to your throat at the time?’
Ellie frowned. ‘Yes, I told you.’
‘So he was restraining you? He was close to you?’
‘Yes, he had his arm around my neck.’
Susanna inhaled. ‘So how do you know Abby didn’t miss her original target?’
‘You what?’
‘Was there anyone else around?’
‘No...’
‘No witnesses?’
‘No.’
‘So are you sure she was aiming at the mugger?’
Ellie recoiled.
‘I’m so sorry, darling,’ said Susanna, her voice barely audible. ‘I only say these things because she’s dangerous. You need to get away from her.’
‘You’re wrong, Mum. She saved my life.’ Ellie was suddenly triumphant. ‘If she wanted to get rid of me, why didn’t she just shoot both of us?’
‘I don’t know. She’s a control freak. I have no idea what she’s really planning. She’s always been secretive, you know that. She’ll have some hidden agenda, some big plan, that you can be sure of. Are you still feeling unwell?’
‘Yes...But—’
‘I knew it! You’ve got to be vigilant. You need to watch your food, your drink.’
Ellie looked up towards the field, where Abby was still walking.
‘Mum, Abby’s not poisoning me. I’m not going to be swayed. I wish you’d just admit to what you did.’
‘I can’t watch you get hurt by her. I’d never forgive myself.’
‘She’s named me in her will, did you know that? Left me half her fortune.’
