Page 59 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Me neither,’ he said.

Beth closed her eyes and sighed. ‘Oh God, I’m sorry. I should have thought.’

He shook his head. ‘No, don’t be. I don’t want people to tiptoe around me. I lost my wife and unborn child, but time does heal, and life goes on, and it will for you too, Beth.’

Tom handed the rabbit to Zoe.

‘By the way,’ he said to Beth apologetically. ‘I honestly didn’t know you were going to be here.’

Beth laughed. ‘You mean you’re still unaware that my sister and her husband are matchmaking?’

‘Oh,’ he said, surprised.

‘Dinner is almost ready,’ called Ray.

‘Do I call you sir this evening?’

‘I’d prefer you didn’t.’ Tom smiled.

But you’ll be counting my drinks, she thought resentfully.

Dinner was roast lamb, Ray’s speciality. Beth noticed Sandy didn’t top up their wine glasses like she used to. Or maybe I’m just imagining it. Perhaps they had been this considerate the last time Tom came to dinner.

‘If you ask me,’ said Ray, ‘this vigilante guy is doing us all a favour.’

‘Ray!’ said Sandy, surprised.

‘Well, obviously, as one of the “so-called public”, he probably has inside knowledge.’

‘Of what?’ asked Beth.

Ray shrugged. ‘The locals.’

‘My husband, the psychiatrist, turned police officer,’ said Sandy.

‘Out of curiosity, how would someone like that think?’ asked Tom. ‘Would there be some baggage they’re carrying that’s driving them to revenge?’

Ray nodded. ‘It could be that he hates injustice and has decided to put things right. Or maybe he hates the police for some reason and wants to show them up. Or maybe he craves power.’

‘And if you had this person come to you, you would be able to tell us?’

‘If they were a threat, of course.’

‘Try telling that to some priests,’ said Tom, keeping his voice controlled, but his body was tense.

‘Patient confidentiality, I’m afraid.’

Tom scoffed. ‘Tell that to the families of murder victims.’

‘Right,’ said Sandy, ‘dessert. Ray, come on.’ Ray lifted his eyebrows but followed her into the kitchen.

‘They are giving us dinner,’ Beth said quietly, topping up her glass. ‘Besides, Ray did have a good point earlier. He said that surely only someone who could be sure of taking care of themselves would put themselves out as a vigilante, ex-cop maybe, or ex-soldier.’

Tom nodded. ‘Worth looking into.’ His foot touched hers under the table, and their eyes met. ‘Got a date for the summer fair?’ he asked. ‘I hear it’s good.’

‘It is,’ she said, taken aback. ‘It got cancelled last year, so you didn’t see it. It’s fun. I’m on call, but I don’t have a date. I think everyone is a bit pissed off with me these days.’

‘Yeah, I’m a bit pissed off with you too,’ he said, grinning at her. ‘But I’m free if you can stand it.’

---