“Oh Dolly. I hope you know that I’m going to pay for my room and everything, is that… erm… is that what you were thinking? I suppose it’s best we clear that up right now. I want you to charge me whatever you would take for that room. Good heavens, I owe you so much more than that and I wouldn’t dream of you being out of pocket. Now we must be clear, yes?”

“Well, that wasn’t what I really meant but yes, I suppose we should clear that up. Now, you can’t pay me what I would usually charge, I wouldn’t hear of it. But we’ll perhaps come to some agreement. I would let you stay in the cottage, if you wanted, but it’s been booked for a long time and… well…” Here a shrug of the shoulders was enough to convey the problems and commitments of the service industry and Pauline leaned over and gave Dolly’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“It’s fine Dolly, really. I love being in the farmhouse and if I can just stay for a few more days and then…” as the words left her lips she realised that she had no ‘and then.’ There was just now, this hour today and no knowing what tomorrow would bring.

“Are you cold Pauline? Are you shivering?”

“No, I’m not cold it’s just… oh what do they say; someone walked over my grave.”

“Oh… I don’t like that expression. It always seems so very sinister.”

“Yes, I suppose it is. Hey let’s not get down. Cheers, Dolly. Here’s to the future.”

“Yes, yes that’s better. To the future, whatever it may hold.”

Their glasses chinked and the wine glowed in the moonlight. Pauline wondered if perhaps that were an even more sinister thought than the old wives’ tale about graves and shivering. Her stomach flipped as she thought of the secrets and the threats and the strangeness that had overtaken her and which seemed now to be no nearer an end.

Chapter 36

There was no air. Her lungs screamed for it. Water tickled at her legs and she felt it rise, above her ankles, her knees, sliding upwards silken against her flinching skin. Sightless eyes strained against the dark. She was blind, blind and gasping and desperate. High above a tiny light beckoned. She reached but her hands were caught. She tried to turn. Her body was held. A scream gathered in her throat, locked there by the terror.

She had thought that it was over. Surely she had escaped the cave and the horror? She thought that he was killed. “Bitch! Bitch!” There was the shutter of small rocks, the fear and the blame “Bitch! Bitch!” As her body tossed and twisted the bonds grew tighter and the darkness gathered close.

The pain of burning lungs jolted her into wakefulness.

The lurch from nightmare to the dimness of her little room brought with it only more terror. The hand across her mouth, fingers hard against her cheeks was a greater menace than the lack of air in her dreamscape; for this was real. She no longer wanted to reach for the tiny glow as the torch beam probed the gloom. Every instinct urged her to turn from the light, but the grip on her face and the weight across her shoulders disabled her more than the ethereal bounds of the dissipating dream had done.

“Pauline, shush. Pauline, don’t scream. I’m sorry, It’s me. It’s Pete.”

He shone the torch to his face. Angled it so that she could see him; a deep shadow towering over her with the moon of his face terrifyingly lit from beneath. Deeps and planes and shadows, a mask of horror.

“Okay?” She nodded and even as he released his grip she pushed up and away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to frighten you but we have to go. We have to go now.”

“Go? I’m not going anywhere. How did you get in here? Where’s Dolly? Where’s Jim?”

“They’re okay. They’re asleep. Come on, we haven’t time for this. Get some clothes on.”

“No, no… I’m not going anywhere with you. How do I know who you are? I only know what you told me. I’m staying here. Get out, leave me alone! I don’t want to be a part of this, any of this.”

“I know,” he sighed and stepped back from the bed as she swung her feet to the floor, unwilling to be disadvantaged by her position. “I know, but please, I need you to come with me.”

“No.” She opened her mouth, drew in a deep gasp of air. As he perceived her intent to yell he flicked a hand behind his back. The gleam of dull metal and the unmistakeable shape of the weapon petrified her. Sweat trickled down her back and her stomach lurched.

“I’m sorry Pauline. Shit. Look, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m trying to make you safe. You really need to trust me. You can trust me.” As he spoke he stretched his hand towards her and flipped the gun around, offering her the handle. “Here, take this.” Shuffling backwards across the narrow bed she shook her head and held up her hands warding off possession of the killing thing.

“No, don’t do that. I don’t want to touch that.”

“Then please just get dressed. If I was going to hurt you I could have done it by now; don’t you see?”

Ever watchful she clambered to the floor and scuttled, bent at the waist, her hands protectively crossed on her chest. She dragged open the wardrobe door. She glanced back and he had turned away.

Her heart began to settle. She took in a calming breath. He had turned away to allow her privacy, dignity.

The wooden hangers rattled across the rail causing him to hiss in frustration and so with greater care she grabbed some clothes, jeans and a warm sweatshirt, and dragged them over her shivering limbs.

“Where’s your bag? Your phone?”

“All stolen. They were on the beach.”

“Shit. What was in it? What was on the phone? Oh, don’t worry. Tell me later.” He reached and took hold of her hand.”

“There was nothing. It was all blank. I was hiding.”

“Of course. Well that’s a blessing. Come on.”

“Where… where are you taking me?”

“We have to just get out. My cover is blown and they know where you are.”

“How? I haven’t told anyone anything. I didn’t tell Dolly.”

“I know, I know. It’s somewhere else. A leak. I don’t know yet but we have to go.”

“What about Dolly and Jim?”

“I’ll contact the local force when we’ve gone. They’ll take care of them.”

Down the darkened staircase and out into the fragrant dawn. He gripped her hand, guided her to a car hidden in the field gate and held the door as she slid inside. As they turned to the road the sun tipped the horizon with faint pink light and a new day began.

Chapter 37

“Pete, where are we going? What are we doing?”

“I’m making you safe. There’ll be a place.”

“What sort of place? I haven’t got any stuff with me. How long will we be there? What am I going to do afterwards? Pete, I’m scared.”

He didn’t turn. The roads were tortuous and wet, illuminated in places by the rising sun. Moisture evaporated in the warming air and a small mist formed. Clouds of vapour floated several feet from the ground. The way was bordered by deep hedges and walls. In full daylight, at leisure, it would have been difficult driving; now it was perilous. They were travelling so quickly and though he seemed a good driver, confident and calm Pauline gripped the door handle, her fingers tight around the plastic.

“I know Pauline, I am so sorry about all this. You must be confused and I understand that you are scared, but just bear with it. I do have a plan,” he gave a short snort of a laugh and shook his head, “Well… sort of.”

“Oh, great! Well, that gives me a lot of confidence I must say!”

“No, no really I do. It’s fine. Look, you can help. Open the glove box.” She leaned forward and clicked open the lid. Dim light gleamed in the grey space.

“It’s empty… oh no, wait, there’s an instruction book for the radio. Oh well that’s good, we’ll be able to have music.” The flippant comment caused Pete to glance at her and his teeth flashed in a grin.