Page 47 of The Girl in the Woods

‘I’d better go and have a cream tea with my wife,’ said Dan, one of the locals, standing up just as the joyrider skidded to a stop outside the pub.

Rory didn’t see the guy hiding behind the bushes of the house opposite. He and his friend Maurice lazily climbed from the car. They stubbed their cigarettes out on the path and then strolled cockily into the pub, smelling of tobacco and expensive aftershave.

‘Two large Chardonnays, my man.’ Rory laughed.

‘You realise this is a quiet village you’re racing your car through?’

‘We’ll call the police,’ said Dan.

Maurice laughed. ‘Oh, what a hoot. I’ll tell my dad, Judge Waters. I’m sure he can afford the fines.’

Jack wanted to throw the wine in their faces. Dan felt that if he didn’t leave soon, he’d end up in a fight, which wouldn’t go down well with his wife. He opened the pub door and gasped. A man in a balaclava and combats was slashing the tyres of the Mercedes. With each slash of the machete, there was an almighty bang.

‘What the hell was that?’ said Jack.

Dan watched nervously, too scared to move. From the account he’d heard, this looked like that vigilante. The man glanced up, and Dan moved nervously to one side as The Vigilante approached the pub doors. He walked in, and the place fell silent.

‘Who does the Mercedes belong to?’ he asked.

Rory turned, stared unperturbed at The Vigilante and said, ‘Who the fuck are you? A cheap copy of The Joker?’

Maurice laughed.

The Vigilante pulled the machete from his rucksack.

Jack let out a long breath.

‘Whoa, hold on, old chap, no need for that,’ said Rory, stepping back.

‘Just call me The Vigilante. I’m about to give you a little lesson about the law. Drinking and driving, not to mention speeding, is illegal. That’s quite a few laws you’re breaking there.’

‘Yeah? And what are you going to do about it?’ asked Rory with a sneer.

The Vigilante laughed. ‘Oh, don’t worry. I’ve already sorted it. I’ve slashed all your tyres. You must have heard it. You won’t be going anywhere soon.’

Jack clapped his hands in glee. ‘So, that’s what I heard,’ he said.

‘I’m sure our friendly landlord can get you a lift. How about you phone the police, Mr Landlord?’

‘Happy to,’ said Jack.

The Vigilante returned the machete to his rucksack and walked from the pub.

‘Nice meeting you guys,’ he said, passing Dan on his way out. Dan then watched him run along the road, turn the corner and disappear.

Rory raced outside and stared in disbelief at his car. ‘Fuck, he did,’ he said shocked.

By the time Beth arrived, Rory and Maurice had calmed down and were demanding that she catch the guy who had mutilated their car.

‘Did anyone see this person?’ she asked, looking around at everyone. The large TV screen had now been turned off.

‘It was that vigilante guy,’ piped up Jack. He had the balaclava and all the gear we’ve been hearing about. He decided to take the law into his own hands. If you ask me–’

‘Yes, right, thanks, Jack.’ She turned to Rory. ‘Your car, is it?’

‘Racing through here like a lunatic,’ added Jack.

Beth ignored him.

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