The Girls Who Disappeared(56)

33



Ornaments


Spread out on the starchy white sheets of Derreck’s four-poster bed Stace saw a cluster of seven or eight Buddha heads, made of smooth mahogany. Not the chubby-cheeked Buddhas she was used to seeing, but sharp-chinned and prominent-nosed. Regal. She could sense John-Paul’s presence behind her, his hot breath on the back of her neck. To her left stood Griff, Trevor and Martin. Identical stance: arms folded, feet shoulder-width apart.

They had been there four days now and in all that time she felt John-Paul was doing everything to avoid being alone with her. When Derreck took them out to show them the sights he would fall into step beside her, informing her about the giant Golden Buddha or the Royal Palace, while John-Paul hung back with Griff and Trev. Despite her doubts about Derreck she couldn’t deny she found him interesting and knowledgeable as well as handsome.

Now Derreck stood over the Buddhas, a serious note in his voice as he relayed again what he wanted them all to do.

‘Nah. I’m out. Mags doesn’t approve,’ said Martin, stepping back. ‘She’s too law-abiding.’

Stace noticed Griff and Trevor exchange glances. ‘Too much of a risk, mate,’ added Griff. Which surprised Stace. She knew he’d bought stolen goods in the pub even though she acknowledged that was less dangerous.

‘Yeah,’ agreed Trevor. ‘I don’t fancy ending up in a Thai jail. Brutal apparently.’

Derreck laughed in that cocksure way of his. ‘You won’t end up in any jail. It’s just a few ornaments. The most you’ll get if you’re caught is a fine.’ He turned his eyes to her and John-Paul. ‘My mate can’t risk applying for a special licence because he knows he’s likely to get turned down. They’re even more strict if the Buddhas aren’t in their true, whole form and …’ he indicated where they lay, macabre without their bodies ‘… well, look at them.’

The other lads shuffled from the room muttering apologies and excuses, and Stace was tempted to do the same. But something held her back. Was it the money? Or was it the hold she felt Derreck had over John-Paul? He had been so excited when he first told her about their trip but now he walked around as though he had a death sentence hanging over him. For the past two nights, unable to sleep, she’d found herself walking down to the terrace and sitting beside Derreck on the sun-loungers, drinking Coke and talking about everything: books they loved – Derreck was surprisingly well read, like her, whereas John-Paul was not – and films. The only subject that appeared to be off limits was John-Paul. Maybe if they did this for the money things might be good between her and John-Paul again. If he didn’t find a job soon he’d have no choice but to leave town.

But she knew it was more than that. She wanted to do this for Derreck, to make him happy, to make his startling blue eyes shine.

Stace walked over to the bed and picked up one of the ornaments, turning it over in her hand. Was she being na?ve? Was this more than just a couple of Buddhas? She examined the head for signs that it had been stuffed with something, like money or drugs. But the lines were smooth: no plugs or holes. They felt weighty in her hands too, good quality. Solid wood. ‘I’d be willing to take one or two but no more.’ She could feel Derreck’s eyes on her as she sat on the edge of the bed with the heavy object in her hands. She experienced a little thrill when his whole face lit up.

‘That’s great,’ he said, rushing over to her and pulling her into a hug. It was awkward because she was sitting down, but being so near to him was intoxicating. He smelt of lemon-scented laundry and summer days, chlorine and coconut oil, and her stomach swooped. She laughed to hide her embarrassment and desire, pushing him playfully away. ‘All right. I’m only doing it for the money.’ Even though she knew it wasn’t strictly true.

Derreck laughed too, then straightened, turning to John-Paul. ‘JP? What about you?’

‘If Stace is okay with it then why not?’ he said miserably. ‘But we’ll only take one each. If we take any more it’ll be harder to play the innocent tourist card if we’re caught.’

The elation Derreck had exhibited only moments before ebbed away, like the sand running out of a timer. ‘Ah, well, actually that’s a bit problematic. My mate will pay well but only if they’re all taken back to England. All eight of them. They’re worth quite a bit of money but not enough on their own to make it worthwhile. So …’ He eyed the door where Griff, Trevor and Martin had made a hasty exit. ‘You’ll need to convince your mates. If you all take one each there’s a lot of money in it. They might not look much, but these ornaments are antique – my mate’s contact back in the UK is willing to pay big bucks for them.’

And that was when Stace’s suspicions were confirmed. This was the reason they had been invited on this trip. Eight friends. Eight Buddhas. Job done.





34



Olivia


Olivia’s head is groggy. She can’t work out where she is and why she’s so cold. The air smells of wet soil and something else, a kind of incense. Like someone has been burning joss sticks. Has she stumbled on some kind of ritual? Dampness seeps through her jodhpurs and her back is resting against something hard. She’s sitting on grass. She blinks as her eyes adjust to the darkness surrounding her and it dawns on her where she is. She’s at the standing stones. What is she doing here? The last thing she remembers is walking home alone. She knows she had a bit to drink at Jenna’s but not enough to black out. So how has she ended up here?