Page 56 of She Saw What He Did

Daphne heard the sound of a car approaching and turned.

‘Don’t even think about it,’ said the man, digging the gun into her side. ‘Let’s go.’

Daphne looked down, relieved to see he still had the gun hidden inside the jacket.

‘Where are we going, Nana?’ Sam asked.

‘It’s a surprise,’ said Daphne.

She was finding it hard to breathe. She needed her angina pill. She didn’t want to do anything that would frighten Sam, but she was struggling to hold down her own hysteria. She settled Sam into the back seat of the Fiesta. It smelt of oil and sweat and for a moment Daphne thought she might throw up.

‘Are we still going to Fairy Tale Farm?’ Sam asked.

‘Not yet,’ said Daphne.

‘What about our pizza?’ she asked, now looking tearful.

‘We can get pizza,’ said the man. ‘What’s your favourite?’

‘Margarita,’ said Sam, her face brightening. ‘What’s your name?’

The man nodded to Daphne to get into the passenger seat.

‘Bob,’ he said.

‘Like Bob the builder?’ asked Sam.

Sparrow nodded.

‘That’s it,’ he said.

Daphne struggled to take a breath. She needed to calm down.

‘What do you want with us?’ she asked quietly as he started the engine.

‘You don’t need to worry your head about that. As long as the Millers do as they’re told then everything will be fine.’

*

Sparrow wiped his hands on his trousers. It was hot, and his shattered nerves were making him sweat even more. How the fuck could this happen? He’d felt sure the kid would have the box on her. Fuck it. He could have gone to the house and got it. Now their stupid cleaner would be there. He couldn’t have more bad luck if he tried.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Abby

I look down at my phone and frown. I’d sent two WhatsApp messages to Daphne over an hour ago and she still hasn’t replied. Normally she would respond right away. She knows how anxious I am these days.

‘Do you agree?’ asks Pearl Williamson, looking at me.

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ I apologise. ‘What was that?’

‘I said we should move onto Milo’s for lunch. Time’s getting on and Nina needs to get back to London.’

I glance at the clock. It’s quarter past two. Daphne and Sam must have finished at Fairy Tale Farm by now.

‘Yes, great,’ I smile, but there’s no enthusiasm in my voice. ‘I just need to phone my mother-in-law. She’s looking after Sam today.’

‘Sure. Why don’t you use the phone in here? We’ll meet you downstairs.’

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