Page 111 of The Girl in the Woods

He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled into the photo app. He pushed it across the table to her.

‘Chloe and Sophie taken on the day of the fair. You can see the date on the metadata. Those were taken at Pizza Hut at about eight, and then we went bowling. There are a few photos of that. I didn’t kill that girl.’

Ana could see the resemblance to Jonny in both girls. She closed her eyes. Deep down, she knew he hadn’t killed Laine. She just needed to be sure. She couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. She handed him his phone. ‘They’re beautiful,’ she said. Then, after a second’s silence, she added. ‘I’m sorry.’

He shrugged. ‘I guess it looked suspicious.’

‘I don’t drink because my mother was an alcoholic, and I was getting close to becoming one too. I made a promise to her on her deathbed that I’d stop drinking. My real name is Laurie. A man drugged and raped me when I was fifteen. I’m from Kirby and I belonged to a working-class family with a bad reputation. The police would never have believed me. So, I became the law, and I’m here in Oxford because this is where he is, and I’m going to bring him to justice if it kills me.’

Her heart felt like it would burst. Her breathing slowed and the huge weight that had hung over her for years lifted, as if someone had removed a massive rock from her back.

Jonny blinked several times and then took a large gulp of his wine. ‘Jesus, Ana– I mean Laurie,’ he said, clearly stunned.

‘Call me Ana.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve got nothing against kids, by the way.’

He leaned across the table and took her hand. ‘I know they’ll like you.’

It was a relief for them both and made the evening one of Ana’s most relaxed since coming to Oxford. For once, she could be herself. When they reached her flat, it seemed natural to invite Jonny in, where he stayed until the following morning. During breakfast, he took her hand in his and said, ‘You’re very impulsive, you know. I worry about you.’

‘Don’t be silly.’ She laughed.

‘I’d be happy if we shared our location on Google Maps. I promise I won’t stalk you – just for safety.’

She mulled it over. ‘Okay. Seeing as you’re not a pervert.’

He kissed her hand.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Sandy parked her car and was about to get out when the sound of a shotgun being fired made her jump. ‘Oh my God,’ she muttered.

Then her client, Miriam, had calmly walked around the cottage, shotgun in her hand. ‘Bloody rabbits,’ she grumbled. ‘Good for a pie tonight, though.’

Sandy sighed with relief. Inside the cottage, it smelled of damp, smelly carpets and the musty odour of antiquated furniture.

‘My sister wants me to stay with her next week. She’s not well. How can I say no? But I can’t go unless I can get someone to feed the chickens and cat.’

‘I’ll feed them,’ said Sandy, without thinking. One week of not having to sit in Miriam’s house for an hour suddenly seemed idyllic. A quick in and out to feed the animals, and she’d be done.

Anyway, she assured herself, it was a good idea for Miriam to get away. It was too isolating living alone on a farm. Miriam had strange ideas about spirit gods. Sandy had always ignored Miriam’s mumbo-jumbo, but she knew many people went to see Miriam for tarot card readings. Sandy had always thought it was a load of nonsense.

That day, as she was heading for the door, Miriam asked, ‘How’s your husband, dear?’

Sandy turned and gawped at her. ‘What?’

‘Your husband, dear,’ repeated Miriam, frowning deeply. ‘Something’s troubling him.’

Sandy was flummoxed and didn’t know what to say. Miriam looked absent-minded and said, ‘Don’t forget the chickens and cat.’

Sandy could feel anticipation building within her. She wanted to know more about Ray. She took a deep breath and asked, ‘Is it another woman?’ It had always worried her. Ray went to many conferences. There were always going to be pretty women there.

Miriam smiled. ‘Isn’t it always? Chicken feed is in the shed, and cat food is under the sink.’

The door closed on Sandy.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

Over a week had passed since Laine’s death. Needles was becoming increasingly frustrated with each day because the police still hadn’t caught The Vigilante who’d murdered his sister. So, he arranged a meeting. It was set for eight that Wednesday at Jim’s garage. He didn’t want any cops seeing them in a pub.

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