“Then the day before yesterday, in the night he came. I didn’t know who he was at first. I had never seen his face because of the helmet. He was brutal, violent and he went on and on about diamonds, and a computer memory stick. It was like something out of a movie. I was scared, really scared, but I told him and told him over and over that I had nothing, but he didn’t believe me. He made me go with him, across the beach. There’s a cave, over there in the rocks. He tied me up.” She raised her arms to display the fading rope burns.

“He left me there all day while he went off somewhere. To see his clients he said. When he came back I thought he would kill me and that is when I told him that I had buried the diamonds on the cliff walk.”

“But, you said you didn’t have them.” For a moment Pauline simply stared at the constable. How could he be so dim? She shook her head.

“I had to tell him something! I truly thought my life was in danger and if I was outside I would stand more chance of either getting away or attracting attention.” She took a deep breath and forged on. “I pretended to fall and when he came back I pushed him, I kicked him over the edge and he fell into the sea. I called to him and he didn’t answer.

“I don’t know where he is now; I don’t know whether he is dead or alive but if he is alive then I can’t stay here. You do see that don’t you? I can’t stay here…” She dissolved into a flood of weeping. Her head was buried deep in her hands, a murmur escaped between quivering fingers, “I can’t stay here. He’ll come back and he’ll kill me.”

Chapter 31

“Don’t get up Pauline, you just sit there. I’ll call through to Dolly, tell her we’re leaving. I’m sorry but we will have to contact your husband. There’s no way around it, but I don’t see why we would have to tell him where you are if you don’t want us to.

“I’ll need to check with the police in Yorkshire about the rest of the story and then I’ll come back. I have no idea where this is all going but with no body it leaves a conundrum. I don’t know where it will leave us with no body and you insisting on your story. I need to get advice from other people. Try not to worry. On the other hand, we can’t do much about the attack either and that’s a worry. With all you told us about the bloke who abducted you, I’m not happy but am at a loss as to the next move for now.”

“I don’t care about it. I’m going to be fine. I just want this to be over. Do you think I can carry on and go to France?”

“No, I can’t let you do that. Not until we get a better idea of what is happening. Put it off. Can you stay here?”

“I’ll ask Dolly.”

“If that doesn’t work out could you go home, back to your house?”

“Have you not listened to anything I said? It took me twenty years to get out of there! Twenty years of being beaten and miserable and you can actually stand there and suggest I go back!”

“Okay, okay I’m sorry. Just see if you can stay with Dolly or in the cottage and if you can’t then let me know and we’ll take it one step at a time.”  As the two officers strode through the door Pauline laid her head back against the cushions and closed her eyes. She was weary to the bone, her spirit was bruised and battered and though she knew she must struggle forward all she could imagine was confusion and fear stretching forever. A wave of desperate sadness swept through her and it was only with a massive effort that she could push the grey blanket of depression aside.

Dolly stepped into the quiet room.

“Do you want some tea Pauline? And a sandwich?”

“I’d love some Dolly. And then, if you have a moment, can we have a chat? I have to try and work out what I’m going to do next.”

“Ok. Now you rest here, I’ll be back soon.”

“Dolly, thank you.”

Warm arms wrapped around her and the feel of Dolly’s soft cheeks against her face was balm to her hurt and the kindness, though she had known Dolly for such a short time, overwhelmed her and filled her heart with grateful tears…

“Well, the cottage is booked up from the end of the week and to be honest I don’t think you should stay there alone anyway. Why don’t you just bring your things over and stay in the house with Jim and me? I only let the rooms to bed and breakfast people and so there’s always a vacancy and it means I can look after you. I feel so guilty that all this has happened.”

“Oh Dolly, none of this is your fault. Of course you don’t really know the background do you?”

“Well only the bits I’ve overheard here and there. I know you left your husband but not much more than that.”

“Okay, the least I can do is fill you in on what it’s all about. Have you got a few minutes?”

“Of course.”…

Seated side by side on the sofa Dolly listened without comment as Pauline relayed the whole sorry tale and her vague assumptions yet again.

“So that’s all you know? This man who attacked you is the one from the ditch?”

“Yes, I don’t even know his name. I know he was involved with some other people but I have no idea who they are.”

“And you didn’t see anyone else by the accident.”

“No, it was quiet, the middle of the day and when I left home I just walked up the hill away from the village. Even the dog wasn’t out at the farm.”

Pauline let out a gasp and grabbed at Dolly’s hand. “There was a car!”

“A car?”

“I’ve just remembered! I didn’t ever think about it until now! As I left the house I had to get out of the way of a car, it was speeding through the village. I remember now thinking it must be a stranger because he was going far too fast for the road.”

“Do you think it might be important?”

“Well, I don’t know but they must have come down the same road as the motorbike and it was very soon after that when I found the accident. I wonder if perhaps I should tell the police anyway. I’ll call them later, just in case.”

“For now though can I go over and bring some things back from the cottage and then tomorrow I’ll move all my stuff here.”

“Oh I don’t think you should, it’s not safe, or let me come with you at least. I’m waiting for a delivery for the shop but, maybe later.”

“I think it’s okay Dolly, the place has been swarming with police and…” she shrugged, “I think he’s dead, if it was the bloke from the cave you’re worried about. I would like to go, it’ll help me to settle – I really think it will.”

“Well, I don’t like it, not at all. It scares me. Call me if you’re worried about anything, the house phone comes straight through to here and the shop. Oh I wish you wouldn’t go.”

“Don’t worry it’ll be okay. I’ll just bring my computer… oh no, not that; the police have it. Oh well, what I need for now and then tomorrow. I’ll go and get the rest of my clothes and give you a hand to tidy up.”

“Indeed you will not, in spite of everything you are still my guest and it’s not your job to clean the place.”

The air was fresh and as Pauline made her way across the wet grass she glanced towards the restless ocean and the rocks in the distance. She felt no fear as her eyes skimmed the dark shapes that are only rocks. It was the stranger who had caused her pain. She would not let man’s evil impact on her delight at this lovely place. The many years as an abused wife had taught her that it was easier to overcome hardship if it was stowed in a box in your mind that could be pushed away, disallowed to spread and distort those things that were inherently beautiful; a summer sky, a sailing cloud or the sun sparkling on rippling waves.

There were marks on the cottage door where the police had brushed powder, looking for fingerprints and evidence of the intrusion. Pauline slipped the key into the lock and stepped into the dark hallway. Residual moisture dripped from the old gutters tinkling on cobbles and pathways outside and looking through the old kitchen and beyond to the shimmering garden she was tempted through and out into the small space.