The Hike(22)

Fifteen

He took his time following them up the mountain. He knew exactly where they were going. He had to walk slowly to keep a safe distance behind them. He didn’t want them hearing him. He was enjoying himself too much for this to end.

He wondered what would happen if she spotted him. Recognised him. Would she raise the alarm? Or would she carry on walking, hoping for the best. Hoping that there wasn’t really someone tracking them along the trail.

They should walk faster. They’d run out of daylight before they made it to the end, and how would they manage to follow the trail then?

Maybe he should change his plans a little. Maybe he should walk out on the track, like them. Make them aware of his presence. Offer to guide them back down. He was getting frustrated, only catching glimpses of them through the trees. He wanted to see more of the blonde. The confident blonde. Not the whiny, skinny, moaning one.

But no. That wouldn’t work. He had to stay hidden.

For now.

He pushed his way through the trees, staying away from the track. Walking carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible. He stopped for a moment, listening. There were other sounds. Animal sounds. There could be anything out here in the woods.

He smiled at the thought.

Conjured up the blonde’s face.

He couldn’t wait to see her again.





Sixteen

SATURDAY, EARLY EVENING

Ginny was fed up talking to Tristan. She regretted going too far with Cat, but she had just been trying to liven things up. They’d been out all day on this bloody mountain in the baking heat, and apart from some pretty scenery and an average lunch, Ginny had been bored stiff. Surely they all knew this was not her idea of fun? Was it any surprise she’d had to make her own?

She sighed.

Cat had caught up and was looking a bit hot and sweaty. And stressed. Was there something up with her and Paul? The Perfect Couple? What a scoop that would be. Cat had been ominously quiet when Ginny had made her little hint at pregnancy. Too close to the truth?

Christ, Ginny, have a word! She couldn’t help herself.

‘Sorry about earlier, Cat. I’m just bored . . .’ she said when Cat arrived by her side. They were still on the meadow, but, from what Tristan had told her, the next part was going to be harder. Those silvery rocks from before were about to make a reappearance as a tricky, slippery set of steps, he’d said. But this was the bit with the amazing views. Almost like walking up the Grand Canyon, he’d said. She remained unconvinced so far. She was still hoping they’d make it back in time for the hot tub.

Cat still hadn’t said a word. ‘Cat?’ Jesus, was she going to ignore her for the rest of the trip now? She looked at her sister, who, in turn, had her gaze fixed over on the thicket of trees that joined the meadow to the steep side of the mountain. ‘What is it?’

‘Did anyone else hear that?’

Cat had stopped walking again. Ginny sighed. At this rate they were never going to get back to the hotel, and the hot tub would definitely be closed for the night. So Plan B would obviously be to get mightily pissed in the bar, because what the hell else were they going to do on this absolutely shit trip? She wished more than ever that she’d put her foot down and refused to come. And now Cat was playing silly buggers about some noise in the trees.

‘Hear what?’ Ginny said. She was so pissed off now. ‘Honestly, can we just get a move on? Tristan said we’ve got another hour, if we stay on course. Then we’ve got to drive back, get changed . . . the hot tub closes at seven-thirty.’

‘Again with the hot tub,’ Paul muttered.

Ginny ignored him. She hadn’t quite realised until today what an absolute bore her brother-in-law was. ‘Cat?’

‘There’s someone in those trees,’ Cat said, pointing. ‘I saw something moving.’

‘Jesus Christ, Cat,’ Tristan said. ‘It’ll just be some animal. A deer or something. We should leave it well alone and get through this section. As I told Ginny—’

There was a rustling sound. Unmistakable. Ginny’s ears pricked up. Even if it was just an animal, were they safe? Did deer come out and attack humans for disturbing their habitat?

‘I heard it,’ Paul said. ‘Tristan’s right. It’s an animal.’

There was a crunching sound, then. Like something big and heavy crushing lots of small twigs. If it was an animal, it was something big.

Ginny felt goosebumps prickling up her arms. ‘Oh god, do they have bears here?’ She moved closer to Tristan. ‘Bears eat humans, you know. I saw a programme—’

He squeezed her around the waist. ‘There are no bears here, Gins. Honestly. Can we just keep walking, guys? Please? I know you all think it’s my fault that we’ve taken so much longer than we were meant to, but we’re on the home straight now, I promise. If we could just . . .’

Tristan’s voice trailed off. They were all watching the trees. It wasn’t an animal. There was someone in there. Ginny was sure she’d seen a flash of clothing, and now she was convinced she could see a pair of eyes. Watching.

‘Trissy, let’s just go?’ Her heart started to thump hard in her chest.

‘Probably just another hiker,’ Paul said. His voice was full of bluster, but he still sounded unconvinced.