‘Your sister? But I saw the same photo in Ruth’s cottage.’
‘Can we leave it, please,’ she says. ‘This is really none of your business, and hardly the time to be discussing family histories.’
‘No, you’re right, sorry.’ I leave the room, but I’m curious. My mum had remembered Ruth from when she came to Drummondale House as a teenager. I wish I’d asked her more questions. Discovered what went on when she camped here with my grandparents.
We congregate in the conservatory. ‘Where’s Julia?’ Finn says, eyes on the door we’ve just come through.
‘She’s not coming,’ I say.
‘But there’s a killer out there.’
‘She’s determined to stay, Finn. You won’t change her mind.’
‘Then I’ll stay too,’ he says. ‘I can’t leave her.’
Julia walks into the conservatory and glances at us gathered by the exit. She thumps down on the sofa, and the cat looks up at her, rises and stretches, releasing her claws as Julia tickles her ear. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she says.
‘I’m not leaving you, Julia.’ Finn sits down next to her. ‘Not after what happened to my mum.’
‘OK. Fine. Whatever you say,’ she agrees. ‘I’m guessing you’re not the killer,’ she adds with a small laugh.
His smile is grim. ‘Mum annoyed me at times, but I’d never—’
‘Of course you wouldn’t.’ Julia takes his hand. ‘You’re the kindest person I know.’
We head through the door, and the cold takes my breath away. I look towards the summerhouse in the garden, desperate to see inside.
‘I’ve already checked in there, love,’ Dad says, seeing where I’m looking. He puts his arm around my shoulders. ‘Let’s get back, shall we? Before we all freeze to death.’
Chapter 35
A Year Ago
Amelia
Amelia broke free from the family as they made their way towards the conservatory for breakfast, making a detour towards the car park. And she knew as soon as she stepped onto the cobbled area that Jackson’s car was missing. The only cars were Rosamund’s Mercedes, and Dad’s Ford Freedom. Jackson had gone. Had he taken Lark with him?
Her heart thumped as she ran to the conservatory.
‘Jackson’s car’s not there,’ she cried, breathless as she entered to see everyone taking a seat at the table.
‘Oh God,’ her mum said. ‘Where could he have gone?’
‘The thing is,’ Amelia continued, ‘I saw a car leave in the middle of the night. I thought it was a visitor leaving, but now I’m thinking it must have been Jackson. Do you think Lark’s with him?’
Her mum shook her head. ‘I’m sure Jackson leaving has nothing to do with Lark.’ She was close to tears. ‘Lark has probably wandered off somewhere, like before. It’s a coincidence that’s all. Let’s just concentrate on finding Lark.’
The door swung open, and Rosamund, Neil and Elise entered. ‘What’s wrong?’ Rosamund said. ‘You all look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’
‘Lark and Jackson have disappeared,’ Amelia said.
‘Have you seen Jackson, Rosamund?’ her mum said, her tone suddenly cold as she met Rosamund’s eye.
‘No, why?’ Rosamund folded her arms, averted her eyes.
‘Well I still think we need to get help,’ Amelia said.
‘I agree,’ her dad said. ‘I’ll call the police.’ And as he pulled his phone from his pocket, Amelia’s neck prickled.
Something was wrong.
Something was very wrong.
Chapter 36
Present Day
Amelia
It feels like hours since we left Finn and Julia at the farmhouse, and by the time the cottages are back in view we can barely see in front of us for heavy snowfall.
It’s 2 p.m. when Dad, Rosamund and I step through the door of Bluebell Cottage, and once again I feel as though my feet and fingers no longer belong to me, they’re so numb.
Inside, Dad leads the way into the lounge, where we shed our wet outer layers, and hurry towards the burner to get warm.
‘You’re back then,’ Thomas says, opening his eyes. He’s sprawled on the sofa, his hair loose to his shoulders, giving him a hippy air. He pulls himself to a sitting position, his socked feet sticking out from under the blanket that covers him from the neck downwards. I blink, feeling sure I see his toe move again, and open my mouth to speak. But I know my eyes must be deceiving me once more, blurring due to sheer cold outside. Anyway, he would have said if there were any signs of improvement, wouldn’t he?
‘Where have you been?’ he says. ‘You’ve been ages.’
‘Down to Michael Collis’s farmhouse,’ Dad says. ‘We saw his daughter.’
‘Julia?’ Thomas says.
‘That’s right.’ I rub my hands together. ‘I suggested she came back with us, but she wouldn’t.’
‘She’s on her own down there?’
‘No, Finn stayed.’
Maddie appears at the top of the stairs, holding her Kindle. ‘You’re back then,’ she says, making her way down. And suddenly the room feels too full, too claustrophobic – though better we’re all together, I tell myself, safety in numbers.
‘I’ll put the kettle on, shall I?’ I say, disappearing into the kitchen.
‘Finn got through to the police,’ I hear Dad telling Thomas and Maddie, as I pull mugs from the cupboard. And as I cock my ear to listen, my concentration dips, and I catch my thumb on a sharp knife that stands blade up on the dryer next to the sink. I put down the mug. Blood oozes through my flesh, and I shove my thumb into my mouth – it tastes metallic. With my free hand I lift the knife, run it under the hot tap for some time, before putting it in one of the empty slots in the knife rack.
‘And we saw a terrifying mask.’ It’s Rosamund, her voice high-pitched. ‘It was on a statue, at the ruins.’
I pad across the kitchen and stand in the doorway, my thumb still wedged in my mouth, like a child. Thomas is on the sofa, now sitting upright next to Maddie. Rosamund is in the armchair looking exhausted.
I pull my thumb from my mouth. ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘Gone to the loo, I think,’ Thomas offers, and everyone turns to look my way.
I take
