Do No Harm Read online

  PRAISE FOR L. V. HAY

  ‘Sharp, confident writing, as dark and twisty as the Brighton Lanes’ Peter James

  ‘Hays’ impressive debut is a complex, twisty, disorienting tale that truly keeps readers guessing until the very end’ Karen Dionne

  ‘A cracker of a debut! I couldn’t put it down’ Paula Daly

  ‘The writing shines from every page of this twisted tale … debuts don’t come sharper than this’ Ruth Dugdall

  ‘Superb, up-to-the-minute thriller and an amazing crime debut. Prepare to be seriously disturbed’ Paul Finch

  ‘This chilling, claustrophobic tale set in Brighton introduces an original, fresh new voice in crime fiction’ Cal Moriarty

  ‘Wonderfully layered and gripping, I had to take breaks just to catch my breath’ Jendella Benson

  ‘A fresh and raw thrill-ride through Brighton’s underbelly. What an enjoyable read!’ Lilja Sigurðardóttir

  ‘This truly is a cracking debut, and I can hardly believe it is Ms Hay’s first. I see a long career’ Louise Beech

  ‘I am not often short of words to sum up a book, but I think I cannot do this debut by L. V. Hay enough justice. A mind-blowing debut thriller that I cannot recommend highly enough’ Atticus Finch

  ‘An intense, pacy, psychological debut. The author’s background in scriptwriting shines through’ Mari Hannah

  ‘From the cover to the title to the set-up to the ending, L. V. Hay’s The Other Twin will wrong-foot you in ALL the best ways’ Caz Frear

  ‘Hay’s writing is sharp and smart, filled with insights about sibling rivalry, sisterly love and the lies that bind families together. This is an exceptional debut – original, daring, well written and emotionally truthful’ Paul Burston

  ‘Uncovering the truth propels her into a world of deception. An unsettling whirlwind of a novel with a startlingly dark core. 5 Stars’ The Sun

  ‘With twists and turns in every corner, prepare to be surprised by this psychological mystery’ Closer

  ‘Well written, engrossing and brilliantly unique, this is a fab debut’ Heat

  ‘Like Peter James before her, Hay utilises the Brighton setting to create a claustrophobic and complex read that will have you questioning and guessing from start to finish. The Other Twin is a killer crime-thriller that you won’t be able to put down’ Culture Fly

  ‘The Other Twin is slick and compulsive. Lucy V Hay’s writing is fluid and to the point, sometimes frantic, and often chilling’ Random Things through My Letterbox

  ‘This is so much more than your standard psychological thriller. It is a breath of fresh air! I loved the nest of lies and deceit this story was built upon. A great, brilliantly written, confident mystery and I can’t wait to read more from L. V. Hay’ Damp Pebbles

  ‘This book, these characters, and this story will stay with me forever. I am gobsmacked. Totally. Utterly. Gobsmacked … It is phenomenal. It is pure and unadulterated perfection on paper’ Emma the Little Bookworm

  ‘Filled with highly descriptive prose, an amazing sense of place and authentic dialogue. The characters are strong, believable, diverse and suitably flawed’ Off The Shelf Books

  ‘It’s an excellent psychological thriller from an extremely talented writer with a storyline that had me holding my breath’ Novel Gossip

  ‘Outstanding. Superb. Epic. Compelling from the first moment, this story will drag you into its grip and refuse to let you go until the very end’ Books of All Kinds

  ‘Packed full of tension, emotion and diversity, it is like a breath of fresh air … the complexity of this book will haunt me for some time. Absolutely stunning!’ Ali the Dragon Slayer

  ‘I loved how unexpected the truth turned out to be. It was staring me in the eyes and I simply didn’t recognise it, understand it, see it … This is a great debut’ The Belgian Reviewer

  ‘The Other Twin is set to be seismic! From the narrative, to the characterisation, the myriad aspects of this novel conspire in creating a masterpiece!’ Ronnie Turner

  ‘The writing – the pace, the characterisation, the vivid sense of place, the dialogue – is superb. The book is fresh, wholly original, and very current, with characters who are stunning in their complexity’ Being Anne

  ‘I was flabbergasted that it was the author’s debut, as the intense level of complexity stunned me beyond belief. To be able to show such finetuned roller-coaster moments in a debut novel, really is something to be proud of’ The Writing Garnet

  ‘If you like your psychological thrillers dark, compelling, twisted, thought-provoking and emotional with a real sense of the here and now then you are going to LOVE The Other Twin!’ Chapter in My Life

  ‘Engaging, addictive and fast-paced – and it’s also heart-breaking and emotionally compelling’ Crime By the Book

  ‘This book was rich with some superb characters. The twists were riveting and really added suspense. Would I recommend it? HELL YEAH, I would! If you are looking for an emotive, sexy, sinister, dark and twisted read … you’ll find it in The Other Twin’ Crime Book Junkie

  ‘A distinctively different modern psychological thriller, and a cracking read’ Blue Book Balloon

  ‘A terrifying mirror reflecting a portrait of our society cut through by magnificent and emotional writing that frees the truth and the truths about life’ Chocolate ‘N’ Waffles

  ‘With a maze of lies and secrets at every turn but also love and acceptance … it was easy for me to fall under this book’s spell!’ Rae Reads

  ‘A truly brilliant novel that surprises the reader at every turn. Hay is a magnificent writer who enchants the reader’ Segnalibro

  ‘A gripping, fast-paced and breath-taking book about fighting for the truth’ Have Books Will Read

  ‘I found myself completely drawn in by the way Hay mingled the urgent suspense of a psychological thriller with the deep emotion of a domestic drama’ The Suspense Is Thrilling Me

  ‘I absolutely love it when an author messes with my head so hard I feel like I am stuck in a revolving door for hours on end. It’s simply unbelievable when you realise this is the author’s debut and it promises incredible things for the future’ Novel Deelights

  ‘There is a great sense of place captured here and the author has managed to bring the location to life for the reader … gripping and fascinating’ Reflections of a Reader

  ‘A very dark and mysterious book’ Els Book World

  ‘Beautifully written and hugely layered, this storyline slowly peels back like an onion until the core of the story is revealed and the tears can finally be shed. Dealing with relevant, contemporary issues, Lucy Hay has created a contemporary thriller with a heart of darkness. A terrific read!’ Live and Deadly

  ‘The plot has so many twists and turns as secrets and lies are revealed turning the characters and their lives upside down. A brilliant debut!’ Book Literati

  ‘This is one very clever, well-written story that fans of psychological thrillers are going to love’ Chelle’s Book Reviews

  ‘Tension builds and the novel gets twistier the more you read. The underlying issues and themes in the book make for a very timely, insightful novel that more than delivers’ The Book Trail

  ‘A whirlwind of secrets and emotional turmoil. It’s an invigorating read and one with plenty of surprises lurking in the shadows’ Cheryl MM Book Blog

  ‘The novel certainly packs a real punch. The characters are well formed and get under your skin so that you can’t help but become involved in the story in a visceral sort of way. The Other Twin has an eerily realistic edge to it’ Jaffa Reads Too

  ‘Lucy Hay leads the reader down a dark, gritty and heart-thumping road. It has a mature and extremely well-written style and is creatively clever’ Love Books Group

  ‘An engrossing a
nd addictive read with a distinctive style. A thoughtprovoking and perceptive psychological thriller for the social-media age’ My Chestnut Reading Tree

  ‘A very well-written story that really drags you in by the scruff of the neck. It is like nothing I’ve ever read before!’ It’s All About The Books

  ‘A very complex and confidently written debut and the subject gives it an edgy and relevant feel’ My Reading Corner

  ‘Modern, edgy and unique. Lucy Hay has created a fresh and inclusive mystery!’ Anne Bonny Book Reviews

  ‘There is a dark and twisted mystery at the heart. It is also a story of family, of separation and of loss. The ending is poignant and moving, the sense of acceptance and overall freedom that emanates from the page is a truly beautiful thing’ Jen Meds Book Reviews

  ‘A brilliantly crafted thriller that takes the reader on a journey in and around Brighton and tackles many current themes. The Other Twin is packed with tension’ The Last Word Book Review

  ‘Brilliantly extraordinary! The Other Twin not only doesn’t sit in a particular genre, it takes a hammer and smashes down the barriers between genres’ The Book Magnet

  ‘This is a many-layered puzzle of a book!’ Sal’s World of Books

  ‘Took my breath away. I lost count of the times I thought I knew what happened only to be proven wrong a few pages later. A fascinating read’ Steph’s Book Blog

  ‘This is an astonishing story, not only for how the characters are written but how this difficult story is told with delicacy and sweetness … kept me glued till the last page’ Varietats

  ‘Lucy Hay entwines character with modern issues without making the narrative contrived or clichéd. The result is a beautifully crafted book which keeps you on the edge of your seat and delivers a breathless, satisfying read’ Books, Life and Everything

  ‘The Other Twin is one of the books that I will always bring up in conversations with friends. Truly one of the best books, if not THE best, I have read so far this year!’ The P Turners Book Blog

  ‘The Other Twin has it all; sex, secrets and social media all set in a claustrophobic version of Brighton that oozes intrigue and suspense. L. V. Hay takes us on the journey confidently and eloquently. This is an accomplished psychological thriller with an original and highly memorable ending’ The Word’s Shortlist

  ‘I enjoyed reading The Other Twin as I am a sucker for a deep, dark secret … It also had a touch of glamour, which one doesn’t often see in British thrillers, and which was a nice contrast to the darker side of the writing’ Retreat West

  ‘There’s plenty of darkness and intrigue in a book set among the social-media generation. With revelations and deceptions around every corner – all delivered by the characters and never forced by the plot – it’s a gripping yarn!’ Crime Thriller Hound

  Do No Harm

  L. V. HAY

  To all of those who think love has to hurt: it doesn’t.

  Let go, walk away and don’t look back.

  —L. V. Hay

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  PART ONE: MAY–JUNE

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  PART TWO: JULY–AUGUST

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Twenty-three

  Twenty-four

  Twenty-five

  Twenty-six

  Twenty-seven

  Twenty-eight

  Twenty-nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-one

  Thirty-two

  Thirty-three

  Thirty-four

  Thirty-five

  Thirty-six

  Thirty-seven

  Thirty-eight

  Thirty-nine

  Forty

  Forty-one

  Forty-two

  Forty-three

  Forty-four

  Forty-five

  PART THREE: SEPTEMBER

  Forty-six

  Forty-seven

  Forty-eight

  Forty-nine

  Fifty

  Fifty-one

  Fifty-two

  Fifty-three

  Fifty-four

  Fifty-five

  Fifty-six

  PART FOUR: EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER

  Fifty-seven

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Copyright

  PART ONE

  May–June

  ‘Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.’

  —Sun Tzu

  I’m early.

  I regard the hotel in the wing mirror of my car. I see my own reflection – my nostrils flaring as I take in the venue. If you’d listened to me, you could have had so much more than this. Modern build on an industrial estate? Ugh.

  Behind me I can see the gawdy, fluorescent signs for a chain cinema, a bowling alley, various fast-food restaurants, one of which offers an ‘all you can eat’ buffet bonanza. It’s what the Staceys and Chads like to call an ‘entertainment park’, though I cannot for one second imagine what’s so entertaining about these places. Give me a low-key, low-lit restaurant with a ludicrously expensive wine list any day.

  Oh no, this is no good. If it had been up to me, I would have found you somewhere far more flash to celebrate your nuptials. But that ship has sailed. For now.

  I might be down, as they say – but I’m not out.

  A group of people appear behind my car. I watch their reflections. They’re in frocks and suits – two couples, the women tottering on high heels, holding on to their men’s elbows. They must be going to your wedding.

  Then behind them, a tired-looking family: the man is in a shirt and tie, an incongruous pink cloth over one shoulder. He carries a sleeping baby girl in a flowery dress with an overly large bow on the back. The woman wears a trouser suit, the jacket just a smidge too small across her bust. Two little boys in bow ties run ahead of her; she holds her arms out to them as if she’s shepherding geese.

  A woman in a purple beautician’s tabard stops next to the wedding party. She smiles and laughs, beckoning them with her. She’s diminutive and young-looking, orange panstick caked on her pale skin. There will be a subterranean salon somewhere in the hotel’s depths. The smell of stale sweat will be masked by scented candles, vanilla or patchouli, but the tang of human musk will persist. You can scrub the masseuse tables, the floors, the jacuzzi; you can launder the towels, spray liberal amounts of deodorant and air freshener, strip away our clothes, our pretensions. But it’s always there. Flesh – animal, predatory. Demanding domination, submission.

  It’s what we all are, underneath it all.

  I look at my watch. In just one and a half hours you will be married. I suppose I ought to have prepared myself for this day. I felt sure you would wander – as you claimed you needed to – then return, certain you could do no better. I guess I never thought you would leave me so finally, splashing about in your wake.

  I’m such a fool.

  I check for a concierge or at least a doorman: none. My view into the hotel is unobstructed from my parking space; I can see directly into the reception area through its oversized front window. The rest of the wedding party has stalled next to the big booth in the hallway. The beautician has left them.

  The front desk is unmanned. Typical. Two of the men in the group are having some sort of row. One of the women makes a gesture towards the little boys, a clear: Won’t anyone think of the children?

  The boys have not even noticed though. They’ve taken off their posh shoes and now race each other across reception, sliding in the
ir socks across the floor. I note the hotel at least attempts to look a cut above. The reception desk is probably oak, the flooring marble, perhaps. But behind front of house, the hotel’s owners will have cut back, I’m sure. The carpet on the stairs will reveal its wear, despite the obligatory busy pattern; there will be black scuffmarks on the skirting boards. I can see the curtains on the hall windows sway in the breeze, no lead weights to hold them down. This is three stars at best.

  You deserve so much better than this pathetic outfit.

  A sharp pain pierces through my chest. Caught unawares, I suck in my breath. The wave makes its way down into my stomach, where it recedes to a dull ache. This has all happened too quickly; I’ve barely had any time to adjust. But that’s got to be a good a thing, surely? Marry in haste, repent at leisure, as they say. But no matter. This marriage will never make it out of the starting blocks. I will see to that.

  Repent you will.

  One

  ‘I’ve got it!’

  The door to the bridal suite opened and my best mate, Triss, practically fell through it, holding up a plastic bottle. Her face was triumphant, her pale skin flushed almost as red as her hair. She threw her car keys down on the nightstand. ‘You would not believe the high street! It’s jammed to f—!’

  ‘Ssssh!’ I jumped in, before Triss could swear. My six-year-old son, Denny, sat cross-legged on the bed as my stylist brushed and attempted to part his hair. In his hands was my iPad. He did not look up at Triss, but I was aware he was listening. Before I knew it, he’d be telling his mates the new profanity he’d learned over the weekend. Or worse still, he’d repeat it to his dad – my ex, Maxwell.

  Triss grinned at me, handing over the bottle of hair relaxant I’d sent her back into town to get. She’d been gone much longer than I expected. I wasn’t sure we’d have time to straighten my hair now from its usual, tight curls. Glum, I regarded my reflection in the mirror. If only I hadn’t forgotten my hair-products bag! I still wasn’t sure how I’d managed that; I was sure I had left it next to the door so I would see it on my way out. Oh, well.