‘Have you two done something?’
‘No,’ said Rosie, incredulous at the slur.
Rebecca tried Tilly, who looked terrified. ‘Is Lara going to be OK?’
‘Why wouldn’t she be?’ said Rosie, answering for her friend. ‘And it’s not school, so we don’t have to tell you anything.’
Rebecca had a sense of great unease. Part of her wanted to take Rosie to task for her attitude, but she had a feeling she should go over to the yew tree and quickly. See what was going on. With a last glance at Rosie, she headed back up to the crowd.
Rebecca pushed her way through until she could see Lara. Everything seemed as it should be. She stalled for a moment. Was she upsetting the whole evening by stepping in?
She saw a woman who was holding the pony help Lara dismount, then the woman tethered the pony to the yewtree. She took Lara’s riding hat and handed her a crown made of flowers, which Lara placed on her head.
What is it?thought Rebecca.What am I missing?
She couldn’t see anything. A space cleared for Lara to walk towards the throne under the tree and Rebecca suddenly stepped up.
‘Just a minute,’ she said, taking Lara’s arm and smiling brightly. She had to speak loudly over the sound of the band. ‘If I could have a very quick word with Lara.’
Lara looked up at her, surprised, but Rebecca guided her away.
‘What’s wrong?’ said Lara.
Rebecca bit her lip. She didn’t know.
ONE HUNDRED AND NINE
Saturday 20 March
‘Please,’ said Lorna, trying and failing to keep the desperation from her voice. ‘It’s not what it looks like.’
‘I think it’s exactly what it looks like,’ said James. ‘You’ve been stealing from the PTA funds, just as you’re stealing now. Jesus, Lorna, what on earth are you thinking? How am I supposed to explain this to Carol?’
‘Don’t tell Mum,’ begged Lorna. ‘I’ll pay it back, I’ll—’
She was stopped as the passenger door opened a second time and a large, brutal arm reached in and grabbed James, yanking him from the seat.
Lorna heard a sickening crunch and blood splattered on the car window. She scrambled out and saw James lying on the ground clutching his nose, Dylan standing over him, his fist rising for another strike.
‘Stop!’ yelled Lorna, frantically looking around for help. She saw Simon approaching with another of the buckets. He clocked her stricken face and ran over, dropping the bucket of money and throwing himself at Dylan, attempting to pin his arms to his side and pull him away.
Dylan struggled against him, still a ball of fury.
‘What’s going on, man?’ said Simon. ‘Whatever it is, it’s not worth it.’
‘He’s been screwing my wife,’ said Dylan, his eyes blazing.
James hauled himself to his feet and staggered a few steps away from the car.
The fight had caught the attention of some of the crowd and people were heading their way. A couple of torchbearers, some of the men sensing a need to calm the situation.
‘You what?’ said Simon.
‘Him and Imogen. For months.’
Simon looked at James in disgust, at the blood running from his nose. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Don’t be so quick to judge,’ said James, wiping his face.
