“You look beautiful.” He commented. Howard ran his fingers through Kate’s hair, which was covered in frost and ice. The hair began to crack as Howard stroked it. He moved his fingers across Kate’s eyes, pushing the eyelids down, so they were forced shut. “Goodbye, Kate.” Said Howard, and he leaned forward, kissing the woman’s frozen forehead. Then he pulled the blankets up, covering the large, gaping wound across Kate William’s throat. Howard got up from the bed, and searched around on the floor for his pile of clothes. He glanced over at the body of Alan Lane, and smiled. “What a night, eh Alan? What a night.” Remarked Howard. He got himself dressed, and when he’d finished, Howard walked over to the curtains and opened them, letting in the daylight fully. Mary and Alex will be setting off on their little jaunt soon. Time for me to join them, thought Howard, looking out of the window. In the distance, he could see the moors and mountains. “Time for me to join them.” Said Howard Trenton, out loud.

***

Alex Crennell and Mary Broderick stood outside the front of Saint Bernadette’s Church on Leeton Lane, both wearing backpacks.

“What time are Gary and Shark supposed to be here for again?” Asked Mary, with impatience in her voice.

“Nine o’clock.” Replied Alex, who felt like shit. Having eight pints last night, followed by a large, deep pan Mexican pizza with extra Jalapeños was a really, really bad idea, reflected Alex, especially with a thirty fucking mile walk, that I know I’m going to struggle with, ahead of me. Mary looked at her watch.

“Well, where are they? It’s nearly ten past.” She said. At that very moment, two strange-looking figures appeared at the bottom of Leeton Lane; one was sporting a bright-blue mohican, whilst the other, a female, dressed in military-style garb, wore a high, bleached blonde flat-top, together with multiple facial piercings.

“Looks like they’re on their way.” Pointed out Alex, nodding towards Gary Ackley and Shark, as they made their way up the road.

“About time, too.” Said Mary. Gary waved at the pair. Alex waved back, but Mary kept her hands in her pockets, still angry with his and Shark’s bad time-keeping.

Gary and Shark walked up to Alex and Mary.

“How’s it going, guys?” Asked Gary. “It’s a nice morning for it!” He added, referring to the blue sky overhead.

“Yeah, we’re cool.” Replied Alex.

“Hello Gary. Shark.” Said Mary. Shark nodded back at her.

“Looks like the weather’s gonna be good for the next few days. Cold, but clear, sunny.” Shark informed the others. She smiled excitedly. “I can’t believe that I’m finally getting to walk the Black Pathway Trail. I’ve been planning on doing it ever since I moved here, three years ago.” Said Shark.

“Oh, were you not born in Coldsleet then?” Asked Mary. Shark shook her head.

“No. I’m from Blackpool. Me and my ex-boyfriend, we moved up here when he got a job in Elman. Then we split up, and I found myself sort of stuck in Coldsleet. Not that I mind. I really like it here.” Shark informed Mary, before grunting up some saliva from the back of her throat, and spitting it out onto the pavement. Charming, thought Mary, but she didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, Gary had put his arm around Alex, and gently led him away a little from the two women.

“Look man, are you sure that you wanna go through with this? It’s not going to be easy, Alex.” Whispered Gary.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Seriously.” Replied Alex.

“Are you sure? Coz you don’t look it. You look ill.” Pointed out his friend.

“Too many beers last night, that’s all. I’ll be okay though.” Assured Alex.

“Alright then.” Said Gary. He turned to Mary and Shark. “Right girls, are you ready to walk the Black Pathway?” He asked them.

“Yep!” Smiled Shark.

“Ready!” Said Mary Broderick.

“Let’s go then.” Grinned Gary. He turned to Alex again. “You can do this, mate.” He said, with encouragement. Alex took a deep breath and nodded.

“I hope so.” He responded. The two young men joined Mary and Shark, and they walked towards the church car-park, and the kissing-gate that marked the beginning of the Black Pathway Trail. Somewhere nearby, Howard Trenton was watching them…

Chapter Seventeen

The very last time that I saw my cousin, Howard, was on the Saturday morning, just after Mary and Alex Crennell had left the house in order to walk the Black Pathway Trail. I was surprised to see Howard come walking through the back door, as I had naturally assumed that he was already home, and still in bed. This would have been at around eight thirty in the morning. He looked dishevelled, and a little tired.

“Have you been out all night, Howard?” I asked him. He nodded, but didn’t offer any further information to me on where he had stayed. Howard was almost nineteen, a man, and it wasn’t really my place to pry too much into his private affairs. All I said was,

“A woman?” To which Howard replied,

“Yes, a woman.” He gave me one of his strange little smiles, and then disappeared upstairs. Howard came back down, about ten minutes later, and walking into the kitchen. By this time, Kay was with me at the kitchen table, and we were eating breakfast.

Howard stood in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at me and Kay.

“What are you eating nice?” He asked.

“Full English, Kay’s treat. Do you want some, Howard? There’s plenty to go around.” I replied. Howard shook his head.

“No thanks… has Mary gone off on her walk?” He wanted to know.

“Yeah, she left not long ago.” Answered Kay. I noticed the clothes that Howard had changed into; a thick black jumper, baggy jeans, hiking boots, a long grey overcoat, and a scarf.

“You look like you’re going off for a walk yourself.” I pointed out.

“I am.” Confirmed Howard. “Though I’m not dumb enough to go up on the Black Pathway.” He went on, having a not-so-subtle dig at Mary and Alex. “I’m going to take a drive out, up to Ruthley, do a short walk up on the Breardon Hills. I should be back at around tea-time.” Howard informed us.

“Oh, okay.” I replied. “It’s a nice day for it.” I said, referring to the clear blue sky outside. I expected Howard to leave the kitchen at that point; instead, he loitered awkwardly in the doorway.

I looked up at Howard.

“Is everything okay?” I asked him.

“Yeah. Sure. Everything’s fine. It’s just that… I want to thank you, Lucas.” Howard said to me. I stared at him, bemused.

“Thank me for what?” I replied.

“You know… for taking me in, after my mom had passed away. For putting a roof over my head, and looking out for me. I appreciate it, and I don't think I’ve ever thanked you properly for that.” Said Howard.

“It’s a pleasure having you around, Howard. It always has been.” I informed him. “There’s no need to thank me. We’re family. I’d do exactly the same for any of my cousins.” I pointed out.

“Well, you’re a good man, Lucas.” Howard turned to Kay. “And you’re a good woman, too. I’ll always be indebted to the pair of you. Again, thanks for everything.” He smiled, and then he left the kitchen. A few moments later, I heard the front door close, and, just after that, the sound of Howard’s car struggling, but eventually succeeding, to start up… he was always having trouble starting that bloody car up, when it was cold. I kept telling Howard that it needed a new battery… anyway, that was the last time that I ever saw my cousin.