Page 79 of She Saw What He Did

She stubbed out her cigarette, grabbed the key to number six and climbed the stairs to the rooms. She put her ear carefully to the door and listened. She knocked several times. There was no reply. God, she hoped he hadn’t been involved in some kinky sex game. Frankly, she couldn’t care less. Each to his own was her motto. But she did care if he’d pegged it in her room while tied to the bloody bedposts. She turned the key and with trepidation, opened the door. The room was tidy. Nothing was out of place. The bed was neatly made. A few clothes were strewn over a chair, but Maggie wouldn’t call that untidy.

‘Damn,’ she mumbled.

She had no choice. She couldn’t just leave it, could she? She’d have to report it. She somehow knew that her missing guest was the body that had been washed up on Newlyn Beach.

*

Sparrow pulled up outside the cottage and looked around. Everything looked exactly how he’d left it. He had considered staying there but it was too far from the ferry and besides he wouldn’t be able to bear it, knowing the kid and old lady were down in the basement while he was having his dinner. It was enough to put anyone off their food. He walked into the cottage and straight to the basement door. The bolts were still across. He sighed with relief. No one was going to come here. It was far too remote. He opened the door and recoiled as the acrid smell of urine hit him. Jesus, he hated this. What the fuck was he doing? Kidnapping a woman and child? He slammed the door of the basement feeling angry with them for making him do it.

‘Give me that,’ he said, pointing to the bucket.

‘Are we going home now?’ asked Sam.

‘Very soon,’ said the man.

The woman put her arms around the child comfortingly before handing him the bucket.

He took it to the bathroom and sloshed it down the loo, his nose wrinkled in distaste.

He wiped his hands on some wet wipes before walking outside to the Fiesta and pulling several carrier bags from the boot.

The kid looked up at him as he entered. Her stare made him uncomfortable.

‘We shouldn’t be here,’ she said suddenly.

The woman gasped.

‘I have brought lots of nice things,’ he said.

It was costing him a bloody fortune. They ought to be more appreciative.

‘There are sandwiches, drinks, chocolate and more jelly babies. Extra toilet rolls too.’

The couple didn’t respond.

‘I also bought wet wipes, coffee and a little hob,’ he said, pulling it from the bag. ‘There’s baked beans and bread. I also got some eggs and …’

‘You should let us go,’ said the woman quietly. ‘Or at least let the child go. We have money. We can pay you.’

Sparrow’s ears pricked up.

‘You don’t understand,’ he snapped. ‘I have no choice. I’ve got people on my back. I don’t know …’

The child stepped in front of him.

‘I hate you,’ she said.

‘Sam,’ said the woman, her voice shaking. ‘The man has brought us lots of nice things.’

‘I don’t care,’ said Sam defiantly. ‘I want to go home.’

She began to shout, and Sparrow felt himself sweat.

‘Let us go,’ she shouted over and over.

The woman tried to calm her, but she wasn’t having any of it. Sparrow thought his head would burst if she didn’t shut up.

‘Be quiet,’ he said firmly.

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