‘Rachelle,’ I whispered. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘I thought you were asleep,’ came back the reply.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Nothing.’
I sat up now, fully awake. ‘Yes, you are. You’re getting dressed.’
‘Don’t ask questions, Nathalie.’
‘Just tell me, then I won’t have to.’ I pushed back my side of the covers and hopped out of bed.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Rachelle.
‘I’m coming with you.’
‘Nathalie, please.’
‘Too late, I’ve got my cardigan on already.’
Rachelle let out a sigh. ‘You were always tenacious like this when you were younger. I see you’ve not outgrown it.’
I smiled to myself and, tiptoeing, followed my cousin out of the room, down the stairs and out through the back door. When she darted across the back garden, I did too. When she hopped over the low wall at the side, I did likewise. And when she ran across the field and dived under the cover of the trees, I followed her.
We had only run a few yards into the forest but the trees were dense and their foliage allowed only a few slivers of light to find their way through the branches. The scent of pine was heavy in the air, as was the unsettling silence. All I could hear was our feet on the ground and our ragged breathing as we darted deeper into the darkness.
Soon we were swallowed up by the woodland and it was only then Rachelle stopped and, puffing hard, she rested against a tree. I came to a halt alongside her. Putting my hands on my hips, I leaned forward slightly, as I took deep breaths. ‘Alors, are you going to tell me what we’re doing?’
‘My dear cousin,’ said Rachelle, after she had caught her breath. ‘We are going to meet someone. Well, more than one person, actually.’ She took my hand and began striding off deeper into the forest.
‘Who?’ I asked.
‘It will be a surprise– for everyone. You’re not supposed to be here, but I know I can trust you.’
Despite me asking several more times what was going on, Rachelle wouldn’t answer my questions and I gave up. After about five minutes, Rachelle slowed her pace and picked her way through some trees.
‘Do you know where you’re going?’ I asked.
‘Shh.’ She put her finger to her lips. ‘Now, when we get there, you let me do the talking.’
We had only taken a few more steps when suddenly, from the darkness of the trees, the shadowy figure of a man jumped out in front of us. Then two more from each side. I could see they were holding rifles.
‘Stop right there,’ the first one ordered.
Chapter 8
Darcie
‘Now stop fussing,’ said Lena, as for the fourth time Darcie checked that all Lena’s medication was up to date, that the instruction booklet for Chloe to refer to if needed had everything written down. Not to mention all the instructions she had typed up for Hannah in the shop.
‘I can’t help it. I haven’t been away for ages,’ said Darcie, knowing she was completely flapping about this trip.
‘I am quite capable of looking after Mum,’ said Chloe, folding her arms across her chest. ‘I am a responsible adult. I have a responsible job. I do have responsibilities.’ She exchanged an eye-roll with Lena.
‘Oh, I know, I know,’ said Darcie. ‘I just feel a bit anxious about it, that’s all.’
‘Control freak,’ muttered Chloe, and then winked at her sister.
