“No, I don’t believe he would, but I amsure there is a logical explanation. We need to get out there to find outwhat’s going on – and fast!”
“Agreed. I’m just worried about him. Whatif this has brought on another psychotic episode?”
“Yes, that is entirely possible. We shouldbe prepared for anything. Most importantly though, let’s get to Thomas asquickly as we can. His safety is paramount. Bert might be older and physicallyweaker than Thomas, but I do not trust him.” From the look in Janey’s eyes, Ihave just voiced her concerns.
We exit the car in tandem and set a briskpace. From the carpark to the tip of Neist Point, it is approximately twokilometres which, at a reasonable walking speed, would take around forty-fiveminutes to traverse. There is, however, only one route so without doubt, wewere going to come across them. Even if they had veered off the path, thelandscape here is so open, you can see for miles around so I felt confident wewould see them soon.
Thomas
It seemed fitting that this was where we had ended up. Ithadn’t been my intention to come back but the irony of the situation wasn’tlost on me. Bert had become more lucid on the approach to Neist Point so thetiming on arrival had been just right, coinciding with him starting to open hiseyes. I had gone along with Caroline’s plan without fully considering theconsequences. It occurred to me that had Bert came to life whilst the car wasbeing driven along, Lord only knows what could have happened. He could’ve takenfright, resulting in me crashing the car. Or, what if he had had the oppositereaction and lunged for me? The end result would have been the same – the carwould have been run off the road. I shudder at the thought.
No, Caroline’s plan had been executedperfectly. I cut the engine and scan the area. Good, there weren’t many cars ortourists to be seen. I then turn my attention to Bert who is showing signs ofregaining consciousness with the car being at a standstill. His words are noweasily decipherable – “What?” Then I watch as he vigorously rubs his eyes.“Where am I?” he says, eyes now open and taking in the surrounds. He hasn’tclocked me yet.
What happens next happens in an instant.He turns to his right and immediately spies me. I lock eyes with him. For asplit second I wonder if he even has a clue who I am. Twenty years have passed.Would he recognise me? His actions give me an immediate answer. His eyes widenin horror like a rabbit caught in the headlights and he bolts out of the carand takes off down the path. It is oddly fascinating and equally strangelyamusing all at the same time. How could a person who was so heavily intoxicatedsimply spring to life with such velocity?
“Don’t let him get away,” cries adetermined James.
“Don’t worry, he can’t get far, there’sonly one route.” I launch myself out of the car and all four of us follow inhot pursuit. The tables had turned. The power had shifted. The last time I washere with him, he was in hot pursuit of me. This gave me a much-needed boostand I powered on.
He knew. I saw it in his eyes when helooked at me. It had come home to roost for him. He was the physically weakerof the two of us and he had taken fright. In addition to that, he would be alltoo aware that in my sober state I had an advantage over him. I had manipulatedthe situation by getting him into the car unawares and driving him out here. Heknew I had the upper hand. Then, when he saw where we had parked up, that wouldbe the nail in the coffin. He would know I was seeking retribution. (I hadn’tintended to come here but it’s unlikely Bert would think that).
The gap closes. Every so often, he turnsaround to see where I am. He isn’t fully steady on his feet and every once in awhile he trips and stumbles. It is uncanny, the similarity to twenty years ago.Only, the players have switched roles! Back then it was me listening out keenlyfor his fast-approaching steps behind me.
Thensomething distracts me. A noise coming from some distance away, barely audible.It sounds like someone is shouting my name. The wind dies down somewhat and atthat point I hear it clearly – “Thomas!” And there is no mistaking who hadshouted it for I knew that voice probably better than I knew the sound of myown voice – it was Janey.
CHAPTER 30
H
ow did she know to come out here? I had been so fixated ongetting to Bert to confront him, I hadn’t even thought about Janey and Georgefollowing me. Twenty years on and all the players are back out here (with theaddition of George, my newly found father) – how fitting. I must remainfocussed and so I plough on undeterred.
Bert is showing no signs of slowing down.If anything, he has quickened his pace. It is fortunate that we arrived late inthe day for there are very few people here (I see the odd dog walker andstraggler off in the distance). Otherwise, I am certain we would have arousedunwanted attention. I quicken my pace to match his.
We have now covered quite some ground. Tomy right, I run towards the lighthouse cottages and I picture a terrified youngJaney gazing out all those years ago. He can’t go much further, and he knowsit. We are at the end of the road. Only the lighthouse itself and the cliffedge lie beyond this point.
He darts around the compound (whichcomprises the cottages; a courtyard and the lighthouse) and manages to find anopening. I follow. We arrive within seconds of each other. We are stood only afew feet apart, both now at a standstill in the open grounds of the courtyard.I watch as he slumps forwards, thoroughly spent. Then, he turns around to faceme.
“What do you want from me?! Why have youdragged me
