designer clothes and jewellery – not because she wanted that stuff for herself, but because she was trying to live up to the impossible standards that Nathan set for her. She’d been writing the purchases off as business expenses. So, when Greg and Sophie sent the tax inspectors round, Fiona was terrified that the truth would come out. But, thankfully, the auditors never discovered her deception.
Fiona admitted everything to us. Being more financially stable than me, Kelly is helping her to pay back the money to the business and in the meantime Fiona has moved into Kelly’s place. It suits them both really well for the moment. Kelly and I are glad to be supporting Fiona financially and emotionally. She’s never been one to ask for help before, so it’s nice to be able to do something for her for a change. Especially after hearing how rough she had it with Nathan for so many years.
Aside from her short interlude with Ed, Fiona has never had a good romantic relationship in her life, not since Brian Lawson’s assault on her when she was fifteen. Now she’s started counselling sessions and it’s really helping, although she’s adamant she wants to remain single for the rest of her life. She says that once she’s got her business back on track and has her own place to live, she’s going to try to adopt a child. That she’s realised a family is the thing she’s yearning for. Her own family were never particularly warm-hearted towards her, so she deserves that at least.
I put my fork down for a moment and reach for a slice of bread. ‘I know it’s a great day for you, Fi, getting your divorce through and everything, but aren’t you just the teensiest bit pissed off that Nathan’s got the house and the money? Didn’t you at least want to put up a bit of a fight to get some of it? You’re more than entitled, after what he put you through.’
Fiona puts her glass down. ‘I know he got all the money, but I actually don’t care. If he thinks he’s got one over on me, it’ll keep him off my back. Make him feel like he’s scored a win. After being in that suffocating house for so many years, I just want my freedom. To do what I want, when I want. To wear what I want. Eat what I want. Not feel scared in my own home. To have all that… well… it feels like I’ve won the lottery.’
I shake my head. ‘I’m so sorry you had to put up with that shit for so long. I wish I’d known sooner.’
‘I didn’t want anyone to know,’ she replies. ‘I think I was in denial. I felt this… well, it was a kind of shame. I didn’t want anyone to know because I couldn’t handle people’s pity or judgement. I didn’t want to admit that my marriage was a failure. I know it sounds ridiculous.’
‘Not at all,’ Kelly says. ‘It’s too easy for other people to point fingers and judge. To say you should’ve done this or that. But the truth is that unless you’ve lived that person’s life, you have no idea what you would do or how you would react in their shoes. It’s arrogant to think otherwise.’
‘Thanks, Kels. I really thought I loved him. Maybe I even did at one time, because it wasn’t like he was always so controlling. When we first met, he made me feel amazing, like I was this superwoman who could do anything. He said he admired me. That he’d never met anyone like me.’ She gives a short bitter laugh. ‘What a mug I was to fall for his bullshit. What he really meant was that he’d never met anyone so easy to manipulate.
‘When I was with him, that situation became my normality. I accepted that that was my life. I didn’t dare let myself think about leaving. And in the rare moments that I did, I couldn’t see a way out that didn’t end in violence.’ Fiona blinks and takes a deep breath. ‘But, anyway…’ She waves her hand as though banishing him from the room. ‘Enough about him. Tonight isn’t about the crappy past; it’s about new beginnings.’
I raise my glass. ‘To new beginnings.’
‘New beginnings,’ Kelly echoes.
Fiona, Kelly and I clink glasses and I count myself lucky to have the best friends anyone could ask for. Okay, so it hasn’t always been the easiest of friendships, but who said anything good came easy?
If you raced through One of Us Is Lying, you’ll love The Secret Mother, a gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked from beginning to end.
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The Secret Mother
‘Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn't see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Are you my mummy?’
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children.
Not anymore.
She doesn’t know who the little boy is or how he got there.
After contacting the police, Tessa is suspected of taking the mystery child. Her whole life is turned upside down. And then her husband reveals a secret of his own…
Tessa isn’t sure what to believe or who to trust. Because someone is lying. To find out who, she must confront her painful past. But is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realises?
An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with a twist that will make you wonder if you can ever trust anyone again. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book will have you hooked.
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Books by Shalini Boland
The Secret Mother
The Child Next Door
The Silent Sister
The Millionaire’s Wife
The Perfect Family
The Best Friend
The Girl from the Sea
The Marriage Betrayal
The Other Daughter
One of Us Is Lying
Available in Audio
The Secret Mother (Available in the UK and US)
The Child Next Door (Available in the UK and US)
The Silent Sister (Available in the UK and US)
The Perfect Family (Available in the UK and US)
The Marriage Betrayal (Available in the UK and US)
The Other Daughter (Available in the UK and US)
A Letter from Shalini