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‘What do you mean taken?’

‘Someone broke into my room.’

‘Have you reported it?’ Emma’s voice was almost a squawk. ‘And who’d be interested in that old stuff?’

‘I haven’t had a chance but I will. And I don’t know why. It had Dad’s name on the lid. Maybe they thought there was something in there.’

Something incriminating. Damn, I hate thinking about all this. And talking to Emma about it made it seem so real. The past all came slamming back with a vengeance. The fear, the grief, the uncertainty. Now she could understand the confusion her mother had felt for the last five years. That unbearable feeling of being let down by the person she’d loved so much. And always the question: Why?

A pang of regret settled in Ellie’s chest. They should have been more understanding. They should have listened, and not assumed it was the grief causing Mum to make up crazy stories.

‘Holy hell, Ellie. You be careful.’ Emma held her gaze.

‘Em, you know how we went through Dad’s papers when I was staying with you? Do you know if Mum ever looked at Dad’s emails? I know he had a Gmail account. I remember helping him set it up.’

‘I don’t know. How about I broach it carefully over dinner?’

‘Thanks.’

‘Em?’ Ellie dropped her hand from her face and slowly shook her head from side to side as she stared at her sister’s face filling her screen. ‘Mum can’t be right about Dad’s . . . death, could she?’

‘I honestly don’t know, Ellie. Look, let’s talk more another time. Mum’s out of the shower. I’ll tell her the connection dropped out.’ Emma lowered her voice. ‘When we get home tonight, I’ll see if I can find anything else in her stuff. If I do, I’ll email it all to you. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid? Please? And be careful.’

‘I’ll be careful. I’ll call if Bill knows anything, too. Tell Mum I’ll ring her tomorrow.’

Only when Ellie logged off and closed the laptop did she realise that she hadn’t mentioned Kane at all.

Chapter 17

Tuesday night

Makowa Lodge

Ellie had a shower, trying to clear her mind and shake off the heavy feeling that filled her. But she was quick, because every little noise, every branch hitting the outside wall, had her jumping.

She pulled on a pair of jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt, and left her hair loose. The temperature had dropped a little and she shivered as she crossed the lawn, aware of the shadows between the buildings. Was the intruder who had stolen the box still around?

She turned along the path that ran behind the kitchen and froze as she caught a flash of white in her peripheral vision. Pressing her hand to her chest she took a deep breath; her heart was pounding. The wind gusted but it was only a white plastic bag blowing from the garden. Muttering to herself, she reached down and carried it across to the bin at the back of the building.

Light shifted in the trees ahead as she stepped back onto the path, signalling the approach of a car. The light intensified as the headlights shifted to high beam, bathing her in bright light and almost blinding her. The engine stopped but the lights stayed on, highlighting her like a rabbit caught in a spotlight. Ellie put her head down and hurried along the path to the bar, irritated by how jumpy she was. She glanced back to the car park as she reached the bar area; it was quiet there and the lights were still on high beam.

Kane was beside the bar chatting to Steve and he lifted his glass in a greeting. He took a sip of his beer and leaned nonchalantly against the wooden counter, but his eyes stayed on her. A shiver ran down her back and her mouth went dry.

Ellie lifted her hand and pushed her hair back over her shoulder, wishing she’d braided it. Her heartbeat had settled but now Kane was there to add to her confusion. She was aware of his eyes on her as she crossed the lawn, stepping carefully around the family groups sitting on the grass. She flicked a glance over at Heather, who was talking to a man Ellie hadn’t seen before, but Heather looked away.

‘Hey there. Would you like a drink?’ Kane’s voice was soft. ‘Everything okay?’

‘Yes. A soda water would be great, thanks. My throat’s dry.’ Ellie forced a smile to her face. ‘My nerves are a bit frazzled.’

Kane leaned forward and took her hand just as Heather looked across at them. ‘What happened?’

‘Someone’s been in my room again.’

‘Again?’

Ellie nodded. ‘Yes, second time this week.’

‘Why didn’t you mention it before? Anything stolen?’