We finally bump over the ramps and drive into the belly of the ship where lines of cars are parked nose to tail. We get out, our shoes squeaking on the heavily painted floor, and make our way up the metal stairs.
‘Fancy a coffee?’ Mark asks. ‘Or shall we stand on deck and watch the coastline disappear?’
‘Let’s stand on deck.’
We lean against cold railings, watching the docks as the last of the vehicles are loaded and we wait for the doors to close. The combined smells of exhaust fumes and engine oil mingle heavily with the salty air. The main doors eventually close but foot passengers are still boarding using the walkway. An old lady hobbles with a stick, making painfully slow progress. Come on! I’m desperate to get going now.
The last person walks on and we wait for the engines to start but they’re silent. Why are they taking so long?
‘Looks like someone’s in trouble,’ Mark laughs, and points to a group of police and customs officers making their way to the passenger bridge.
My guts twist and I have to stop myself from doubling over. ‘I need the toilet. I feel a bit queasy. I’ll be back soon.’ I kiss Mark quickly on the cheek then slip away.
‘Already? We haven’t even started sailing yet.’ His voice fades as I scurry towards the ladies’ toilets.
I sit in a toilet cubicle for what seems like hours. Women and children come and go, muttering and moaning about the delays. Maybe the police and customs officers have come for someone else. The door opens again and there’s a rap on my toilet door.
‘Come out, please. This is the police.’
I have no choice and nowhere to run. I can’t believe they’ve found me after all these months. I open the door and see a middle-aged man introducing himself as DI Paton and waving his ID badge.
‘Grace Winterbourne.’ He can’t keep the smile from his face. ‘I’m arresting you on suspicion of murder.’
Chapter 71
Fairview School
Oakbank Crescent
Perth
PH1 1DS
18th February 2020
Dear Mr Paton,
The children, teachers and I would like to express our thanks for your inspiring and fascinating talk at our assembly last week. We were particularly intrigued by the use of footwear as evidence in your recent successful arrest of the Tay Killer. Who would have thought that the wear on the soles of a person’s shoes could be matched to footprints at the crime scene and then used as evidence in court? We’d never heard of the National Footwear Reference Collection before. We couldn’t believe the killer had kept them.
The use of the DNA Database was an incredible eye-opener and we are pleased to hear that so many criminals are now being caught because their relative’s DNA shows the same patterns as theirs. No doubt the woman you were pursuing didn’t expect that.
Are you aware of how proud your son Tommy is of you? He tells everyone what a great detective you are, and claims they’ll be making a television drama about you one day.
The tour of the police car was an added excitement to the day and we all enjoyed the lights and siren. Your idea of an earlier spelling competition to win a ride in the police car was a great incentive and many a pupil got higher scores than usual.
Your clever gift of Wanted mugs decorated with the children’s portraits as awards for hard work has inspired even the most recalcitrant students to apply themselves to learning and for this the teachers are most grateful.
Again, thank you very much for all your support with our Public Services project. The children are still talking about it and many an “arrest” has been made in the playground.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Highgate
Head Teacher
Chapter 72
Elephant Retirement Park
Thalang
Phuket
Thailand
4th February 2020
Dear Lucy,
As requested, I’m writing you a proper letter, though God knows why I can’t just send you a WhatsApp! (laughing face emoji). You’d better keep this for years like you promised.
Thailand is even more beautiful than in the travel brochures, and I know this is a cliché but I really do wish you were here with me. Still, I doubt they’d let you on the plane being seven months pregnant (wide-eyed emoji!).
Nisha and I arrived at the elephant camp this morning and we’ve already been assigned an elephant each to look after. We got drenched giving them a bath but I can honestly say I’ve never felt happier. Well, apart from when we were all together as a family, of course. We’re staying in Phuket for two weeks as we also want to spend a few days volunteering at the Gibbon Sanctuary then we’re moving on to Cambodia. I’ve decided to come home sooner than planned because I want to be there with you when my niece or nephew is born. I really miss you and want us to spend time together as proper sisters.
Nisha’s great company and I’m so pleased she decided to come with me. I love her “life’s too short to miss experiences’’ philosophy. She isn’t sure what she’s going to do when I return to England. She says she might keep travelling so that when she gets back to the UK she’ll have loads of experiences to share as a travel agent.
Have you managed to find me a little house yet? As I said, I’d like somewhere in Woburn Sands because I want to be near you for babysitting duties. Two bedrooms will do. I may have told you before, but I’m eternally grateful to you for sorting out all the finances after the house was sold. You are so much better at the money side of things than me so I can see why Mum made you the executor of the will. Did the solicitor put Grace’s inheritance aside for her on her release? I don’t ever want to see her again but I do feel bad that she had such a raw deal in her childhood. I can’t help but think that, if it hadn’t
