Page 119 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘What are you doing?’ Her eyes drifted to the rucksack on her lap. ‘Are you leaving some money for Mr Gillespie for Christmas?’ She knew it was the shop he’d robbed two years earlier – or had tried to when he and his brother had been caught red-handed.

Logan turned in his seat, and looked at her. ‘Why would I do that?’

‘To say sorry for what happened two years ago, breaking into his shop on Christmas Eve.’

Logan started to laugh.

Bonnie frowned. ‘What’s funny?’

‘Sometimes I think you’re just too good for me, you know that?’

Bonnie smiled. ‘I know.’ She started to open the rucksack. ‘How much do you think would be enough to compensate Mr Gillespie for—?’

Logan closed his hand around hers. ‘Are you that stupid? I’m not here to give him money.’ He looked at the shop. ‘I’m here to finish what me and my brother started.’ He opened the car door.

Bonnie looked at him, wide-eyed. ‘You’re going to do it again – break in and … and … rob the place?’

‘Oh, yes. I’m going to take any cash that’s in the cash register. It won’t be much, hardly worth the effort. I’ve already had my payday.’ His eyes drifted to the rucksack.

‘Then why do it, Logan?’

‘Let’s call it getting even. While I’m in there, I’m going to give that Mr Gillespie a lovely surprise all right, but it won’t be a penny from that rucksack.’

Before he got out of the car, he reached over and picked up a hockey stick.

‘What’s that for?’

‘Let’s just say I’m going to take a few swings in there. By the time I’ve finished, it’s going to look like a whole hockey team has trampled through his shop, leaving a tsunami in their wake.’

Bonnie grabbed his arm. ‘Oh, Logan, please don’t do this! Not on Christmas Day.’Not on any day.‘I thought you were turning over a new leaf, for me … for the baby?’

‘I am, and I will.’ He leaned over her, reaching for the glove compartment. She sat there rigid when she saw what he had in his hand. ‘Oh, my god, Logan!’ she grabbed his arm.

‘Are you mad, woman? I’ve got a loaded gun in my hand.’

Bonnie immediately let go. ‘Please, Logan. Please don’t do this. Why have you got a gun?’

‘In case anyone happens along. This time, I’ll be prepared. Now, just sit tight. I’ll be right back. Then we can check into our fancy hotel with even more cash.’ He paused when he got out of the car. She thought, for a moment, that he was going to change his mind. He said, ‘Get in the driver’s seat.’

‘What – why?’ He never let her drive his car. He never even left the car keys in the ignition when he left her sitting in the car.

‘Just do it.’

Bonnie left the bag on the passenger seat and scooted over to the driver’s side. The keys were still in the ignition.

‘Now, if you see anybody – anybody at all – start the car and honk the horn.’

Bonnie thought she was going to cry. Now she was his getaway driver.

‘Bonnie! Do you understand?’

She slowly nodded her head, tears streaming down her face. What she understood in that moment was that for all the promises he’d made to her, Logan was never going to change. He wasn’t going to turn over a new leaf, settle down and get a job. When he’d spent the cash, he’d be out doing this again.

She sat in the car, staring at him as he scoped the street, checking nobody was around. It was dark. The streetlights were on, casting a hazy white glow as the snow fell. It was getting heavier. There wasn’t a soul around.Why would there be? thought Bonnie. It was four o’clock in the afternoon on Christmas Day. She imagined everyone had eaten their Christmas dinner, and friends and families were sitting together, perhaps watching the King’s speech. Children would be playing with their new toys, andparents would be washing up the dishes from Christmas lunch.

She looked at Logan, who was standing in front of the shop, looking through the window. ‘I deserve more than this,’ she said. She rested a hand on her stomach. ‘Youdeserve more.’

She cast a glance over at Logan. He was trying the handle of the shop, trying to force the door. She opened the rucksack and looked inside. At the bottom were wads of cash. She stared at the money. Enough for her and her baby to disappear, start over, as far away from Logan, and this town, as possible. She swallowed. This was her chance.

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