Page 131

‘Stay away, Otis!’ she screamed. ‘It’s over for us! Stay away!’

Ryan laughed.

‘Did you hear that, Otis? Your mom doesn’t think you can save her and your sister. You can though, right? Surely you at least want to try?’

Mary scanned the area, searching the trees bordering the lawn that led to the lake. There was no sign of Otis. She prayed that he had heard what she said, and would do as she asked.

‘Otis! Come out!’

Ryan gave her a grin, a wide, mad smile, and cupped his hand to his ear.

There was only silence, the deep, total silence of the woods.

Wide Enough for a Car

This was it, then. The end of her life, and Sally’s. Mary put her arm over her daughter’s shoulders.

‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘I’m so sorry I brought this into our lives.’

Sally turned her head to face her. ‘It’s OK, Mom.’

‘I love you, Sally. More than you can know.’

‘I love you, too. And Otis will do something, Mom. We’ll be OK.’

Her faith in her big brother was touching, but Mary feared it was misplaced, not least because she hoped Otis was as far away as possible.

Sally turned away from her and looked up at Ryan. She spat in his direction.

‘You’re such a loser,’ she said. ‘Such. A. Fucking. Loser. I never understood what Mom saw in you. Me and my friends talked about it all the time. You’re weird, and you have no friends. The stupid jokes you made to make me laugh?’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t know what you’re up to but I’m not surprised. This is a proper loser move.’

Ryan flinched, then forced a smile onto his lips.

‘Loser?’ he said. ‘I’m the one with the gun, Sally.’

Sally ignored him. ‘What’s this about, Mom? What’s this loser doing?’

‘It’s a long story,’ Mary said.

‘Yeah? Tell it.’

Mary realized that her daughter was playing for time. She was filled with pride at her bravery and clear thinking.

‘It’s to do with another woman,’ she said.

Sally snorted. ‘Another woman? He’s got no chance. And I’m sorry, by the way, to call your husband a loser, but really, Mom, you could do so much better than this.’

‘Enough!’ Ryan shouted. ‘Otis! They’re here come and save them!’

‘You seem upset,’ Mary said. ‘Is being called a loser a bit of a sore spot?’

‘Fuck you,’ Ryan said. ‘Fuck you both.’

‘He is upset,’ Sally said.

‘No, I am not,’ Ryan said. ‘I’m thrilled. Thrilled that I get to kill you both. Not upset at all.’

‘You will be when Otis gets here.’