The window smashes, making an almighty crashing sound. I turn to Claire, but she’s gone. I’m alone in the mist.
“Mum? Is that you?”
Her voice cracks the ice around my heart, thawing all the stress and worry that has encased it over the last few days. My legs feel weak. I could melt into a puddle of relief. But she’s not safe yet. Not until I get her out of that house.
“Yes, darling, I’m coming.”
I wrap my fist inside the sleeve of my coat and hit the broken window, making the hole big enough to climb through. For all I know, Magnus is waiting for me inside with a knife or something worse, but I am willing to risk anything to get to my daughter, to hold her in my arms.
Dropping onto a pile of broken glass underneath the window, I catch my palm on a shard and wince. Another chunk tears into my jeans, grazing the skin. But I barely feel it. I clamber to my feet and look around.
The first thing that hits me is the smell. The sour tang of vomit. Unemptied bins. I raise my hand to my mouth and nose.
“Mum?”
I see my child. My heart is in my mouth, my eyes filled with hot tears. There she is, tied to a bunk bed, a blanket over her thin frame. Shivering but alive. In the bleak evening light, her face seems translucent, almost blue. I rush to her, my heart thumping.
“Mum!” Her voice cracks, tears falling.
Then my arms are around my little girl, who is smaller, thinner than the last time I saw her.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Everything is going to be all right.” I tug at the ropes. Her poor, raw wrists wriggle underneath the tight knots.
“He’s dangerous,” she says. Her words slur, like she’s drunk. “He tried to kill the other one.”
“Dina? Where is she?”
“She left. She ran away.”
“Where’s Magnus?”
“I don’t know.” She lets out a sob.
“Shit!” I exclaim. The ropes are too tight. “Let me find a knife.”
There has to be one in here somewhere. I hurry over to the kitchen area, yanking out the drawers. It’s clear this bothy isn’t fully stocked for living. There’s no sign of anything sharp. Time is ticking on. Claire is out there alone with Magnus.
I head back to Penny. “I need help.” I kiss her on the forehead. “I’ll be back. Okay?”
“Mum, please don’t go. Please. If he’s out there, he’ll kill you.”
“Everything is going to be okay. I promise.” Even as I say the words, I’m aware that they’re not true. I can’t promise anything. I’m not sure we’re going to make it out of here alive, but I have got to try.
I try the door first, but it’s locked.
“Magnus has the key,” Penny calls.
I hurry back to the broken window, climb out and head out into the fog to find my sister and face my daughter’s captor.
CHAPTER 76
THE GRAVEDIGGER
He moves through the trees quietly, all the while keeping his sights on the bothy.
He hears the sound of glass breaking, the shattering sound echoing across the water.
Not the farmer then, and unlikely to be the police either.
