Chapter 43
Clare knew she had some time, the thought of leaving the house filled her with dread but she had to. She knew the meeting had ended and she had the rest of the day. Jonathan never broke his daily habits that was a certainty.
Slipping into her black combat trousers, trainers and a polo neck jumper, she reached for her wig. Checking one more time from the bedroom window she could see the road was clear, there was no one around, they had all gone off to their respective jobs, the stay-at-home moms were at coffee shops now that the children were dropped off at their schools.
She was safe and even though she knew this, her heart was still beating far too quickly for her liking. “Remember you are in control. You are focused and strong, you are ready.” She could hear the words of Leon coming back to her. “You lose control you lose your life.” He had warned her a long time ago.
Clare knew she was strong but right now, she was not feeling it. The whole incidence with him out on the street last night had left a cold tingling sensation running up and down her spine. No matter how much she convinced herself that he did not know it was her, in the pit of her stomach was that awful feeling that she just could not get rid of.
Acting braver than she felt, Clare let herself out of the house and back into Jonathan’s. Easily she picked the lock, as Leon’s boyfriend had taught her so many times back then. It brought a small brave smile to her face, recalling how Jester finally had her to master the art of lock picking.
He had been one of many handpicked boyfriends by Leon. Each had to fulfil a purpose in their quest to destroy one man’s life and for Jester, Clare was eternally grateful. Deftly punching in the alarm code, she was now ready.
There was a reason he had not changed it she told herself, and that in itself unsettled her. Maybe he’s trying to catch me out. You don’t have time to think like this. She reprimanded herself as she made her way up to the bedroom.
Methodically Clare went through each room at a time, turning over picture frames so they were face down. He had to know someone had been in. He had to feel unsettled; she wanted him to lose control. She wanted him to feel like he was losing his mind.
She reached for the hairbrush on what had been her side of the dressing table, it still struck her as odd and creepy that he had held on to all her belongings after all this time. It was as if he was waiting and waiting for her to come back.
In the bathroom still on the side of the sink was a lipstick she had long stopped using. His nasty, snidey comments were too much to deal with every day. His words still in her head, “who are you trying to impress at work. Nobody wants you!”
Her toothbrush was still in the glass jar right next to his. You are one sick man Jonathan. One very sick man! She muttered, taking the lipstick she left him a message on the mirror Bastard.
Clare mentally ran through her list; she had done what she had come to do today. Knowing she should get out and back to safety, she took a step towards his closet.
The suits were still in shreds, it struck her as extremely odd that he had not done anything with them. A chill started to run through her body, time to get out. If she had not been in such a rush, Clare would have clearly seen how Jonathan’s armchair had been moved into the prime viewing mode - her bedroom across the street.
He watched as she closed the door behind her and muttered under his breath, you’ll be mine soon Clare. All mine again and the life will be slowly strangled out of your skinny little neck.