Zack stared at Alex.
“What do we need to do?”
“I can look after myself you know,” she spoke up, starting to feel a little disempowered. “I’ve been doing it long enough.”
Alex reached for her. “I know. But until whatever’s brewing simmers down, it’s better if you’re around people. Severton is safe because everyone knows each other, but there are parts where it’s lonely and quiet. Opportunities for someone to grab hold of you. If you’re with someone, there isn’t the opportunity.”
“So I need to be around people?”
Alex nodded. “Hide in plain sight.” He looked to Zack. “They won’t touch Sorrell or Keren or Rayah. The link between the gangs and here has always been tenuous. Drawing attention to this place isn’t in their interests.”
“What about the fires last year?” Zack still looked worried.
“Probably a way to get rid of evidence. There was a lot going on last year with the gangs. The big players moved into more legitimate business, which left gaps open for new faces to step in and the turf war grew. Rayah found images on a pen drive after the fire at the school that were people who had gone missing. I know there’s a theory that they might include people whose remains were found on the moors and in the burned down buildings.” Alex slid his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “This stays with us, but I think it’s important that you realise just because you live in Severton, it doesn’t mean you’re safe from all this.”
“Now I feel like moving,” Zack mumbled, sitting down behind Sorrell who was hugging their daughter. He moved closer so the back of Sorrell’s head could rest against his chest.
Alex shook his head. “Don’t. Because this will settle. The cult will go back to being a religious organisation again and you won’t even think about gangs and arson.”
“How do you know this, Alex?” Sorrell had been quiet until now. “You’re a small town cop.”
Zack shook his head. “I guessed you were more than that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being a small town cop.” Alex smiled. “It’s just that small towns often have more going on that anyone realises. It’s a great place to hide in plain sight.”
Zack got back to his feet again, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he moved towards Alex and grabbed him in a big hug, rubbing his knuckles over the back of Alex’s head and then there was the exchange of loud pats on backs and words that Abby couldn’t make out.
When they broke apart, Zack stepped over to her and brought her into a hug.
“Don’t hurt him.” The words were whispered into her ear, then he let go and went back to his wife.
“I think it’s time for breakfast.” Alex held his hand out for her. “These two can guard our spot.”
They meanderedthrough the early morning crowds, the stallholders already open. There were a few groups of people here for the more ceremonial part, dressed up in long robes and carrying staffs and other odd objects. Abby saw a group of people who looked familiar, heard voices she recognised.
“Who are they?” she asked Alex.
“Lainey’s cousins. She’s got seven of them who live in the south. One of them is married to Gran’s granddaughter, Vanessa.”
She remembered them now, several of them having been at the opening of the gin distillery, and if she remembered correctly, some of them had invested in it. They were all with women this time, the one she remembered from TV – he’d been on a programme about animals – had his arm around a pretty woman with short dark hair. The brother with the tattoos and bigger beard was with a small woman with a huge baby bump and the youngest – Abby remembered him as being as flirty as Jake could be – had his arms around a redhead and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“It must be nice being part of a big family.” She entwined her fingers with Alex’s.
He laughed. “It has its moments.”
“I heard Zack say you’d have moved away with me.”
He didn’t respond at first and she wondered if he’d said it in the heat of the moment.
“I would’ve. I still would.”
Abby swallowed. “Did you like me before all this?”
Alex stopped walking and turned, making her shift into his arms. “I tried not to think about you. I thought you were really pretty and I did look for excuses to talk to you. I feel like I’ve fallen really quickly, but it feels right. If I’m too much, you need to say.”
She didn’t speak back, just kissed him instead. “I don’t think you’ll ever be too much.”
By early afternoonall the Maynard clan had gathered in the field with the trees, even Jake, who had taken some time away from organising and left it for a couple of hours to the events manager he’d appointed to help him arrange the festival. Sadie Grace and Harry had tired themselves of running around and had collapsed onto another blanket with books and tablets; the two babies were napping and some of the adults, including Zack, had taken advantage of the warm day and the fact that everyone in Severton was currently at the festival.
