“As long as Penny’s all right, then I will be.”
I squeeze her fingers and she presses back. “Are you ready?” I ask.
She nods, her mouth set in a grim line, my determination mirrored in Faye’s shadowed eyes. I reach over her and take the knife from the glove box, then we climb out of the campervan and gently close the doors behind us. Hoods up, we walk silently towards our destination.
There’s no going back now.
CHAPTER 74
THE GRAVEDIGGER
He’s digging her grave. The fog is low, making it hard to tell if anyone is approaching. But there’s no one out here. Nothing but torchlight on bracken and the sound of the shovel cutting through compacted mud. But at least the ground isn’t as dry and dusty as it was on Seeley Moor.
He pauses for a breath. The sweat on his skin is mingled with the condensation hanging in the air.
There’s a sound in the distance. At first, he thinks it’s the rumbling of thunder in the distance. Faint but menacing. Then he sees the headlights approaching the bothy.
He walks a few feet closer so that he can get a better view. But the fog thickens and when the headlights die, he can’t see a thing.
Could it be the farmer back for more money?
He turns the shovel over in his hands. This is it. Either Dina tipped off the police or the farmer is not going to be so polite this time. He could feel the end was coming, the curtain descending, just like the fog closing in around him.
But it’s not over yet. And he won’t go down without a fight.
CHAPTER 75
FAYE
As we walk silently along the path, I pull in deep breaths, terrified of what might be about to happen, and what condition we might find Penny in, if she’s even there at all. I can only hope she is and that I am able to bring her home with me today.
A small stone building comes into view. Some sort of bothy by the looks of it.
I grab Claire’s arm. “There.”
“I see it,” she says.
“I have to get to her.” Before I know it, I’m sprinting around the side of the building calling her name.
“Penny!”
Every curtain is closed. I can’t see in. Claire chases after me and grabs hold of my shoulders. She spins me around.
“Faye, stop! Magnus and Dina will be in there too,” she hisses.
Then I hear the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
“Mum? Mum!”
“Yes, it’s me.”
I push Claire away, reacting to the siren song of my daughter, still alive. I search for a rock, anything heavy, my hands groping the path along the side of the building.
“I hear something.” Claire’s voice is urgent. “Up over there, I think someone’s coming, Faye.” She pulls at my sleeve, but I ignore her and she backs away.
The only thing that matters is getting Penny out of there. I find a stone about the size of my fist.
“Stand away from the window, Penny!” I yell, not sure if she can hear me or not. Then I throw it as hard as I can.
