Page 55 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Who told you?’ asked Ana curiously.

‘A friend was in the pub in Stonesend on Sunday, and everyone was talking about it. They said he called himself The Vigilante.’

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss ongoing cases.’

‘No, sorry, of course not. Should we be afraid?’ she asked, leaning back into the cushions.

‘Only if you’ve broken the law and he’s unhappy about it,’ said Ana, trying to reassure her.

She excused herself to use the loo, closing the living-room door behind her. On her way to the bathroom, she peeked into the bedroom, hoping to see a photo of them together, but there was nothing. Ana cursed. Surely she hadn’t got it wrong. There must be something.

The loo was an interior designer’s delight. Soft white towels, all lined up neatly on a towel rail, a fluffy, clean white mat to step on when getting out of the shower, and fragrant candles around the bath.

Ana looked at her reflection in the bathroom cabinet, tidied her hair, and opened the cabinet door. Shampoo bottles and face creams sat alongside perfume bottles, and then she saw it. For several seconds she stared at the aftershave bottle before lifting it out. Then, taking off the gold-capped lid, she sniffed the fragrance. It set her head spinning, and she grasped the sink for support as her legs gave way. She put the bottle back with trembling hands and sat on the loo, composing herself.

It was him. She had been right all along. Ana didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The pub was quiet, and Ana sat at the bar with her drink. Her mind was racing. It had been one thing finding out where he was but another to have it confirmed. In truth, she had expected it to be a lot more difficult. Without realising it, she tightened her hands into fists. The fragrance was still in her nostrils, and her heart raced. Grabbing a tissue from her handbag, she blew her nose. Had she secretly hoped it wouldn’t be him? Now the time had come, did she have the courage to do what she’d planned?

‘Hello there, drinking alone? Never a good sign.’ Ana turned with a start to see Luke. He looked different in casual clothes.

‘I was just about to leave,’ she said, sliding off her stool.

‘Have another on me,’ he urged. ‘I’ll take it personally if you leave just as I’ve arrived.’

Ana hesitated. Wasn’t he married? ‘Just the one. I’ll get them in. I’ve got to buy a round sometime.’ She smiled.

Luke conceded. ‘Equal rights, fair enough. London Pride for me. I’ll get us a table. That Jack over there has got big ears.’

‘I bloody heard that,’ said Jack.

Luke chuckled. ‘See what I mean?’ Addressing the landlord he said, ‘We might talk police business.’

‘Yeah, sure,’ said Jack, taking Ana’s order. ‘How you liking it here?’

‘Too soon to say,’ said Ana.

‘Straight to the point, aren’t you?’

‘Sure am. Thanks, Jack.’

‘He’s married, you know,’ he said softly, nodding at Luke.

Ana smiled. ‘I know, but I appreciate the warning. I assure you, he’s not my type.’

‘So why is a pretty girl like you drinking alone?’ asked Luke when she’d sat down.

‘What’s a married man like you doing in a pub alone?’

‘My wife doesn’t understand me,’ he said with a grin.

Ana smiled and sipped at her drink. The fragrance still lingered in her nostrils, sending a shiver down her spine. ‘That’s an old one. What’s hard to understand?’ she asked.

‘Let’s just say it’s complicated,’ added Luke. ‘How about you? There must be someone in your life.’

Ana shook her head. ‘Let’s just say it’s complicated.’

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