Page 17 of She Saw What He Did

‘There it is,’ says Jared jubilantly. ‘There’s just a bit further to go.’

I look behind us. There’s no sign of the man. Jared was right. He’s much slower than us. But we’re running out of energy. My foot is more swollen than ever and it’s becoming excruciatingly painful to put weight onto it.

The door of the lighthouse is surrounded with overgrown vegetation. It takes us a few minutes to clear the doorframe. For a moment I think the door is locked, the handle is rusty and stiff, but by using all of my strength I manage to turn it. The door squeaks on its hinges to reveal a musty and damp interior. A few pieces of broken furniture litter the floor. Jared leans against the wall for a moment and wipes the perspiration from his neck. I fumble for my phone and slump down the wall when I see there is no signal.

‘We might get some if we go higher,’ says Jared hopefully, but I know he is as disappointed as me. We push the door closed and Jared suggests we shove the furniture against it an attempt to secure it.

‘I think I have a sweet in my pocket,’ he says.

He pulls it out and unwraps the sticky toffee.

‘This will help,’ he smiles.

I look up at the latticed metal steps that spiral up the inside of the lighthouse. I’m grateful to see the handrail but I feel defeated before we even start.

‘We have to go up,’ he says, looking my foot. ‘It’s going to be hard.’

‘Oh Jared,’ I say tearfully, and then hate myself for my weakness.

‘If we can get to the watch room, there may be a phone.’

I nod.

‘Ready?’ he asks.

‘Yes,’ I say.

My sandals clank against the metal steps. If the murderer is near surely he will hear us. I use both hands to pull myself up. It’s painstakingly slow. Jared goes ahead of me. The toffee has given him a burst of energy but we’re both hot and weary. Fear has sapped most of our strength. At least it is cooler in the lighthouse. After what seems an eternity we finally reach the first landing and take time to catch our breath.

I clasp Jared’s hand in mine and lift it to my cheek.

‘Jared, if anything happens. I want you to know …’

He shakes his head.

‘Don’t talk stupid,’ he says. ‘Nothing is going to happen.’

I hold back my tears.

‘We’re going to be okay Abby,’ he says firmly. ‘You and me, we’re going to be fine.’

Jared always was more positive than me. It was one of the things that attracted me to him. His undying optimism and incredible good looks had been a magnet. His warm hazel eyes look into mine.

‘I love you,’ he says, his voice breaking.

He’s a man who appeals to women. He has a natural sensuality that pulls you to him. I’d always known that. He exudes confidence in his role as chief engineer at Micro Robotics. Everyone likes him. He must have been flattered by women over and over again.

‘Why her?’ I’d asked.

I’d found a text on his phone. He’d forgotten to delete it. Days of tears and recriminations had followed. I’d hated him and despised her and then I’d despised myself for being so unappealing. Surely, if I had been everything he needed he wouldn’t have turned to another woman?

‘I don’t know,’ he’d answered truthfully. ‘I guess I felt unappreciated. You seemed only interested in Sam, and your work, of course.’

‘My work?’ I’d said, surprised.

I’d only agreed to continue editing providing I could work from home. It was for the money and certainly not for any ambitious dreams of my own. Being a wife and mother was what was important to me.

‘There didn’t seem to be room for me,’ he’d said, almost childishly.

---