The closer he gets to the top, the harder his heart thumps. He can’t hear voices, but he reckons he knows where they’ll be taking Stephen. He doesn’t have a lot of time. Sophia climbs silently behind him. He can hear her heavy breathing, but she doesn’t utter a word.
Higher and higher he climbs in the pitch black, having to keep his phone torch off because he can’t climb and hold it at the same time. He pauses on each step, checking his grip. The metal is slippery, cold in his hands as he nears the top.
He waits a moment, listening for any sounds. There’s scuffling above, sniffing. He thinks he knows who the culprit is.
A thin strip of light signals the end of his climb. It means the trapdoor hasn’t shut all the way. It’s still going to be heavy to lift, but he reckons they won’t have locked it again because Graham pocketed the padlock earlier.
Awkwardly positioning himself under the trapdoor, he lifts his arms above his head, pushing against it with his hands. His aging muscles and joints pop and scream in annoyance, but with enough effort, he lifts the trapdoor and pushes it open, ensuring to stop it before it crashes down against the floor.
The building is empty – bar a very excited collie dog who is waiting for his master’s return.
Graham climbs out of the hole, then turns and reaches out his hand for Sophia. A few seconds later, her head emerges, her eyes blinking against the light of the fading sun. She’s trembling as she emerges from the dark hole and wraps her arms around herself like a shield.
But then the dog yaps and lunges at her.
‘Barney!’
Sophia collapses to the ground as the dog throws itself at her frail body, licking frantically, wagging his tail so hard thatGraham’s half convinced it’s going to fall off. Barney yaps and whines while Sophia smothers his furry head in kisses, tears rolling down her dirt-stained cheeks.
‘Look how grey you are!’ Sophia strokes his head, staring at the silver hairs around his eyes and muzzle. She looks up at Graham with tears in her eyes. ‘He was just a pup when I last saw him.’
‘He led us straight to you,’ replies Graham. He watches the happy duo for several more seconds, but he can’t hang around.
‘Sophia, I need to go and help Stephen. I’m going to hide you in the main house, but then I’m going to have to leave you for a while. Will you be all right?’
Sophia nods. ‘I can come with you.’
‘No. It’s you who they really want. I can’t guarantee your safety.’
‘But …’
‘Please. Stay here with Barney.’
Sophia stands up on wobbly legs. ‘Okay,’ she says.
Graham nods and, with Barney close at their heels, they race across the yard to the farmhouse. Graham quickly checks over his shoulder. He can’t see or hear anyone else around. She’ll be safe here now that she’s out of the hole.
‘Stay quiet. I’ll come back for you. If I haven’t returned in an hour, then head into the village and speak to the police,or failing that, speak to someone you know you can trust. Can you do that?’
‘Yes. Please. Go and save your friend.’
Graham races to Stephen’s car, praying, hopinghe’s not too late.
Chapter 53
GRAHAM
Now …
‘It’s all right, Stephen. I’ve got you, my friend.’
Graham arrives in the nick of time to see Stephen being strung up from the tree. He grabbed one of the planks of wood by the back door of the cottage before heading up the hill after parking the car in his yard.
He uses it to subdue Diane who’s too busy holding on to the end of the rope, keeping Stephen’s airway restricted, to notice Graham charging up behind her. Davies is nearby, but he too, is taken by surprise and Graham knocks him sideways with a swift blow to the body.
Neither of the perpetrators are going to die from their injuries, but it’s enough to keep them down, writhing on the ground while Graham unties the rope that has Stephen’s limp body hanging from the other end.
Stephen’s on the verge of unconsciousness, but at least he’s alive. Barely. Graham lowers him to the ground, ensures he’s safe, then turns to the two people still moaning on the ground.
