Her One Mistake(79)

Brian’s hold on my ankles loosened. I glanced behind me and watched him staring out at the horizon, presumably not realizing Charlotte was there. I glanced over the side and thought if I acted quickly, I could jump out and swim back to the rocks. The water was shallow and it wasn’t far. In minutes I’d be back with my daughter.

But Charlotte was there now. And as I looked at Brian, I knew that if I did leave him he’d follow me back and make sure it was over for me. I wouldn’t ever get away with what I’d done.

Trapped in a moment of indecision, we continued drifting out to sea in the small boat as I weighed up my options. Each wave we bobbed over made the boat wobble, which in turn caused Brian to grab the edge to steady himself.

Back on the beach, Charlotte and Alice’s silhouettes were fading into the distance. The light was dimming too now. Soon it would disappear completely. Already the sea was turning an inky black.

I realized that one way or another it was all over for me. I’d likely pay for what I’d done, and I figured that if there was any slim chance of staying out of prison, then maybe I should stay on the boat. And surely I had the upper hand on the water? After all, I could swim. He couldn’t.





CHARLOTTE


Charlotte wrapped herself tighter around Alice to keep the little girl warm. For two weeks she had felt responsible for Alice’s disappearance and now she was holding her in her arms, breathing in her smell as the little girl’s head nestled into her chest. The relief was so intense Charlotte had to force herself to keep from sobbing. Alice was frightened and Charlotte knew how much she needed to keep it together for her, but it was getting increasingly hard.

“Where’s Mummy gone?” Alice asked again. “When’s she coming back?”

“Soon,” Charlotte told her. “I promise you she’ll be back soon.” She didn’t want to think about what was happening out on that tiny boat or where Brian was taking them. She looked down at the little girl whose body shivered against hers and pulled her closer. When she looked up again, the boat had disappeared completely.

“Is Grandpa going to be okay?” Alice asked.

Two paramedics now crouched on the rocks in front of them. She couldn’t see Les. “They’re doing everything they can,” she whispered into the little girl’s hair. She couldn’t admit it didn’t look good.

? ? ?

TEN MINUTES EARLIER Charlotte had arrived at Elderberry Cottage and was met by a woman who looked as confused as she felt. “Oh hello, I was looking for a friend, but maybe I’ve got the wrong address.” Charlotte leaned back to see if she could see a house name, but she was sure the weathered sign at the front read Elderberry.

“Who are you looking for?” the woman asked. Behind her heavy, dark bangs and thick-rimmed glasses, Charlotte could barely see her eyes. “I own the cottage, but I have a guest staying here at the moment.”

“Erm,” she stumbled. She had no idea what Harriet’s father was called and knew she shouldn’t risk getting into a conversation about him.

“I’ve got a Les Matthews here, is that who you want?”

“Yes,” she said cautiously. “This is Elderberry Cottage?”

“That’s right. He wasn’t here when I turned up earlier and still isn’t now. I only came by again now because Glenda just called and told me there was someone funny lurking around last night. Glenda lives in the house on the corner.” The woman pointed up the lane in the direction from which Charlotte had come. “She’s nearly ninety.”

“Oh. Right.”

“We don’t get lurkers. No one comes up here. I told Glenda it was nothing, but I promised I’d check anyway. To be honest, I don’t think she likes me renting the cottage out. She’d rather have someone permanent living here, but what can you do?”

“I don’t know,” Charlotte said. “What did this lurker look like?” she asked.

“Oh, I don’t know.” The woman brushed a hand through the air. “Male, apparently. Glenda doesn’t have very good eyesight. That’s why I always feel like I have to come check these things out whenever she calls me, but—”

“I’m really sorry to be rude,” Charlotte interrupted, “but I need to find my friend. Can you tell me how I can get to the beach?”

“The beach?” The woman looked at her watch. “It’s half past eight; no one will be down there this time of night.”

“I’d like to check since he’s not at the cottage. Can I get down that way?” She pointed toward the cliff top.

The woman shook her head. “No. It’s far too dangerous to use the path at night. You won’t be able to see where you’re stepping. You’re best going back down the road and through the village by car. But the tide will be in, mind. There won’t be much of the beach left.”

Charlotte thanked her. She would have preferred to get back into the car and drive home, but she knew she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t at least look for Harriet on the beach.

She turned the car around in the narrow street, careful not to hit the cottage owner’s Land Rover that was haphazardly parked, and drove back the way she’d come, turning right into the small village and following the signs to the beach.

As soon as Charlotte had seen Alice standing on the rocks, she’d realized it was her. No sooner had relief swept through her when Charlotte had noticed the fishing boat with two people in it, slowly drifting out to sea.