Page 20 of She Saw What He Did

‘Please,’ I plead. ‘Please.’

It’s our last chance.

*

Sparrow fumbled around the undergrowth for the gun. It had to be close. It couldn’t have fallen that far. Cursing, he switched on his phone torch and shone it around the entrance of the lighthouse. He sighed with relief when he found it. This time he’d hold onto the gun. A flash of light made him start. His nerves were on edge. With a bit of luck the thunderstorm would cool things down. Hopefully one of them would be desperate for insulin by now and hadn’t made it to the top. Shame he’d eaten all their food, he thought smiling. Another flash of light stopped him in his tracks. He looked up to the top of the lighthouse, feeling his neck muscles tighten. It took him a moment to realise what it was and then he cursed loudly.

‘Damn you,’ he bellowed.

He’d lived here long enough to know that a flash of light coming from an old disused lighthouse would raise the alarm. Help could be on its way right now. He had no choice. He had to get off the island. He couldn’t risk anyone seeing him. He remembered the holidaymakers’ boat. Damn them to hell. He needed to dispose of it quickly. Damn, this day seemed to be going on forever.

Chapter Fifteen

Ellen tucked her hair behind her ears and twiddled with the pretty pearl earrings that Peter had bought her last Christmas. She strained her eyes to see him. The pub was packed. It was always the same this time of year.

Peter waved from the bar and Ellen smiled. His face was flushed from the heat and he looked younger than his thirty-four years. The smell of cigarette smoke wafted in from the pub’s patio and Ellen wrinkled her nose in distaste. Peter kissed her warmly on the lips. His tasted of beer and crisps. He looked weary, she thought.

‘You’ve got the perfect job, Ell. How many coppers can spend their on-duty evenings in the pub?’

Ellen grimaced.

‘I’d rather be doing some policing,’ she said.

‘Check old man Brown’s MOT. It’s bound to be overdue,’ he laughed.

Ellen bit back a retort and smiled at some passing holidaymakers.

‘What do you fancy?’ asked Peter.

Ellen thought for a moment and then said,

‘I’ll have a Coke.’

‘Have a glass of wine,’ he said.

‘I’m on call,’ said Ellen.

‘Like you’re seriously going to get called out,’ he said cynically. ‘Unless someone’s cycle has a puncture, you’re most likely here for the night.’

‘I might,’ said Ellen. ‘It wouldn’t do for me to be stinking of alcohol.’

‘A Coke it is then,’ smiled Peter.

‘I didn’t get that job,’ Ellen said. ‘They turned me down.’

‘Why?’ he asked, but she saw the relief on his face.

‘They didn’t say.’

He reached a hand across the bar.

‘I’m sorry Elle, I know how much you wanted it, but I’d have missed you. I’m not good at long-distance relationships.’

Ellen forced a smile.

‘It’s only a ferry trip.’

‘All the same …’

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