Page 75 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Luke? No. Have you checked the beer tent?’

So, this is Luke Carpenter’s wife, thought Ana. Not quite what I’d expected.

Lisa wagged her finger in Matt’s face. ‘No, but I will.’ She glanced at Ana and then, sliding her arm into Matt’s, said, ‘Fancy buying me a drink, darling?’

Matt smiled politely. ‘I’m sure Luke will buy you one when you find him.’

‘Huh, that tight old tosser,’ she said caustically, throwing her handbag over her shoulder. They watched as she strolled off in her short dress, swinging her hips provocatively.

‘She looks a right tart,’ said Ana, without thinking.

‘Don’t let Luke hear you say that.’ Matt laughed.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

The sun was slowly setting, casting long shadows through the trees in the wood beyond.

The cèilidh was in full swing now, and those who weren’t dancing were laughing at those who were.

Beth looked around the tent and then wandered outside where Tom was. ‘Not dancing?’ she asked, with a smile.

‘God, no. Anyway, I’m on duty.’

‘Any excuse.’ Beth laughed.

It was that time of evening when everyone had consumed too much alcohol. So Tom kept his eye on the rival gangs that seemed to be behaving well so far, but he knew never to be complacent.

An arm suddenly draped itself around Beth’s shoulders, startling her.

‘All right, my lovely,’ said Lisa Carpenter. ‘Have you seen my “pain in the arse” other half by any chance?’ She asked drunkenly, wine slopping from the glass in her hand onto Beth’s shoe. ‘Is he on duty?’

‘No, I haven’t, Lisa. Is he in the cèilidh tent?’

Lisa roared with laughter. ‘Have you seen him dance? Trust me, it’s no treat, I’ll tell you that.’ Lisa’s hair was a tangled mess, where strands had escaped her bun. Then, through lipstick-smudged lips, she muttered something about finding ‘The Loser’ and wandered off. Beth watched her bump into Will Moulson, who stumbled, spilling beer over Ray’s white shirt.

‘Hey, watch it, you stupid fool,’ snarled Will, tumbling to the ground.

‘That’ll teach me to wear a white shirt,’ said Ray, trying to laugh it off.

‘You all right, sir?’ said Tom, helping Will up from the ground.

Will groaned and clutched at his groin. ‘I need a pee. Have you seen the queue for those portable things? Quicker to go home.’

‘Mind how you go,’ said Beth insincerely.

He spat on the ground near her feet.

‘Mind the road,’ she said.

‘Well, I was going to check on the babysitter,’ said Sandy. ‘But I think you’d better go now, Ray, and you can get changed out of that shirt while you’re there.’

‘Ray, keep an eye on Moulson, will you? I don’t want him falling over,’ said Beth.

Ray smiled. ‘Sure. I’ll walk with him.’

‘Anyway, why don’t you just phone the sitter?’ asked Beth.

‘Because I want to be sure she’s not snogging her fella rather than looking after my child,’ said Sandy.

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