Reubyn huffs as he tries to free the fabric snared in the teeth. ‘I need to do some more filming before we go. Plus, I’d like to see if this weather calms down a bit – it might be dangerous driving a vehicle like this in high winds. It’s not like I’m an expert.’ Finally, he zips up his coat and turns to Faith. ‘Are you ready?’
Faith gives the affirmative, and they venture out into the rain, some of which blusters into the bus before the door swings shut. George sees Miles is staring at him from the kitchen, and when they lock eyes, Miles jerks his head a fraction – a discreet order to join him.
‘Everything all right?’ George asks in a low voice.
‘Not really,’ Miles says. ‘It’s looking like we’re going to be staying here another night.’
George raises an eyebrow. ‘We’ll see about that.’
Miles’s eyes are drawn to the living area, where Jessie sits with Elis and Polly. He turns his attention back to George. ‘I need your help,’ he whispers.
‘Shoot.’
‘Do you think it’s possible we could’ve been followed here?’
‘By your stalker, you mean?’
Miles nods.
George thinks for a moment. ‘I don’t see how. We definitely weren’t being tailed by a vehicle. I mean, we were both looking out for that, and there was nothing, the whole way.’ He pauses, deep in thought. ‘Although ...’
‘What? What is it?’
George points towards the bedroom. ‘Let’s talk in there.’
They go inside and George closes the door behind them. The room – where Jessie, Faith and Polly slept last night – is a mess of clothes, make-up and bags. A bed is still made up on the floor.
‘We’ve got outsiders with us,’ George says. ‘Isn’t it possible one of them could be in cahoots with your stalker? I mean, how much do we really know about Jessie and Faith? Come to think of it, how much do you really know about Elis?’
‘Elis?He’s a mate. As for the other two, I don’t think we need worry about them.’
George opens the door, checking for eavesdroppers, and closes it again. ‘Are you sure about that?’
‘Okay, let’s test your theory,’ Miles says. ‘Let’s suppose that, for some bizarre reason, one of them is working with my stalker and wanted to tip them off with our whereabouts. How the hell would they even do that? We all lost signal ages ago. And Reubyn has been super tight-lipped about where we’re going.’
‘Fair point.’
‘So, it’s not possible, is it?’
George goes quiet and rakes his fingers through his hair. ‘All right, look. I wasn’t sure if I should ask this, but have you considered the possibility that Jessie might have been lying about seeing a man in the forest last night?’
‘What? No. No chance.’
‘How can you be so sure? We only met her a few days ago.’
‘Trust me. You should have seen her – she was terrified, shaking like a leaf. I think it’s possible she was mistaken, but I don’t think she’s lying.’
George frowns. ‘She probably wonders about you.’
‘I’m not lying! I just haven’t told her the whole truth yet. But I will.’ Miles shakes his head. ‘This is getting us nowhere.’
‘Look, mate, for what it’s worth, I get why you’re anxious. But I really don’t think we’ve been followed, so try not to worry.’
Miles exhales slowly. ‘Thanks, I’m sure you’re right.’
George nods and reaches for the door handle.
‘Wait,’ Miles says. ‘One more thing.’
