Page 58 of The Girl in the Woods

Deep down, though, all Laine could think of was Sajid. Part of her hated him for being so weak, while the other half understood and wanted to tell the world that Sajid was just like them. He was caring, kind, thoughtful, loving, and the perfect son. The colour of his skin didn’t make him a bad person.

At night, she’d lie in bed and listen to her dad snoring in the room next door, and she knew he would never accept Sajid. Sometimes, she imagined them as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Both their parents would hate the thought of them together. Needles would go apeshit and cause fights and no doubt get his mates to intimidate Sajid’s family. Why did she have to be born into this family? It wasn’t fair. It’s not her fault she fell in love with Sajid. You can’t choose the person you fall in love with.

‘Come on.’ Jassy was nudging her. ‘I’m bloody starving.’

Laine knocked her bruised thigh on the table leg and winced. The memory of what happened instantly shot through her mind. She pushed it away before any tears came.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

‘Ican’t think of anyone who’d have the guts to take on thugs,’ said Ray, turning the roast potatoes. The heat from the oven blasted his face, and he grimaced.

‘Like we’re all cowards,’ said Sandy.

Ray shut the oven door and wiped his hands on a tea towel. ‘No, I’m not saying that. I meant it’s surely either a criminal, ex-copper, or ex-soldier. Someone confident enough to handle themselves.’

‘He has a point,’ said Beth.

‘Yes. I don’t imagine Dan or Jack at the pub would be brave enough,’ admitted Sandy. ‘You certainly wouldn’t be.’ She laughed, poking Ray in the ribs.

‘Do you mind? I’ve got muscles.’

‘You must be hiding them.’ Sandy laughed.

‘Doesn’t he give anything away on those cards?’ asked Ray, refilling their wine glasses.

Beth covered hers with her hand. ‘I’ll wait until dinner,’ she said. ‘The cards are printed with the exact words, “When the law fails to serve us, we must serve as the law.” He signs himself off as The Vigilante. He might write some other comment on the back. That’s it.’

‘No fancy pattern on them so that you can trace them?’

‘Plain white cards. Thousands of people buy them every day.’

Zoe, Beth’s three-year-old niece, flew into the kitchen. ‘Snowy’s woken up. Can I show Aunty Beth?’

‘Snowy?’ questioned Beth.

‘Snowy the rabbit,’ smiled Ray. ‘He came yesterday.’

At that moment, the doorbell rang, and Beth glanced at Sandy in disbelief.

‘It was Ray’s idea,’ squirmed Sandy.

Beth shook her head. ‘I don’t believe you two.’

‘Not me, honestly,’ persisted Sandy.

‘Liar.’ Beth smiled.

‘Right, let’s see this rabbit then,’ she said, taking Zoe’s hand.

The sound of Tom’s voice reached her from the open back door. Beth had known something was up. Sandy had been edgy from the moment Beth had arrived. Why did they have to do this stupid matchmaking?

‘I hear we’re rabbit visiting,’ said a voice behind her. He looked gorgeous as usual – more gorgeous now than when she’d first met him. He’d been thinner and gaunt then, grief for his wife etched across his face. Now, he looked relaxed. The tight lines of anger around his mouth had gone.

‘His name is Snowy.’ She handed him the rabbit. His hand was warm as it stroked hers. I so need a drink, thought Beth.

‘He’s still a baby,’ said Zoe.

Beth raised her eyebrows. ‘I can’t escape babies, it seems,’ she said.

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