Page 80 of The Girl in the Woods

The sudden roar of the air ambulance deafened them. Its bright lights lit up the field, reminding her of a concert she and Laine had gone to, where the whole arena had lit up in the same way. But this wasn’t a concert. It was an ambulance for Laine. Jassy shielded her eyes.

The police were hurrying everyone out of the area. Jassy slid to the ground crying hysterically, and Beth rushed to help her.

‘It’s okay. No need to be frightened. We’re just getting everyone out so the ambulance can land.’

‘No, you don’t understand,’ sobbed Jassy, shaking her head. ‘Laine is my best friend. Is she dead?’

‘She’s being flown to the hospital now. As far as I know, she was still breathing. Let me have your number and I can phone you later when I know more.’

Jassy wiped her eyes with the tissue Beth handed her and wrote her name and number on Beth’s pad.

‘Needles said Sajid did it, but he wouldn’t hurt Laine,’ she sobbed.

‘Needles?’ questioned Beth.

‘Laine’s brother, Colin,’ Jassy explained. ‘That’s what everyone calls him.’

The helicopter’s lights illuminated the field, and Beth saw what a mess the place was: empty crisp bags, crushed beer cans, empty plastic mugs, and cigarette butts littered the area. It seemed like forever before the ambulance took off, and all Jassy could think was, would it take longer if Laine were dead and then she sobbed more. Beth and Jassy covered their ears as the helicopter took off. People were hurrying from the field, their faces white with shock and disbelief. Beth called over a constable to take Jassy home.

‘Who is it?’ she heard someone ask. ‘What’s happened?’

Beth turned to see Sandy.

‘A young girl. Elaine Lees. Does the name ring any bells?’

Sandy shook her head. ‘What’s happened to her?’

‘She’s been attacked. Someone said it was The Vigilante.’

‘Oh my God,’ she whispered. ‘Is she badly hurt?’

Beth nodded. Sandy then saw Ray and ran into his arms.

‘Hey,’ he said, alarmed. ‘What the hell is going on? I almost couldn’t get back in. Has someone had a heart attack?’

‘A girl was attacked in the woods, apparently.’

Lisa stumbled towards them and collided with Sandy. Ray just managed to stop Sandy from falling. ‘Hey, careful,’ he said.

‘You seen my waste of space husband?’ she slurred.

‘He’s probably left,’ said Beth. ‘You should too.’

‘Waste of space,’ she muttered and wandered to the exit.

‘We should get home,’ Sandy said and then burst into tears. ‘This is all so horrible,’ she cried. ‘People being hurt and shops vandalised. I don’t…’

‘I think you’ve drunk too much and are a bit over emotional,’ Beth said, hugging her.

‘You’ll be pleased to know the babysitter wasn’t having sex in our bed,’ Ray said, trying to make her smile.

‘Oh Ray,’ she said and cried even more.

‘Where was she attacked?’ asked Ray. ‘It wasn’t one of those lads causing trouble earlier, was it?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Beth.

Sandy sniffed and let Ray take her hand.

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