C.J.Daugherty

After a moment she heard a quiet male voice whispering. ‘It’s me. I lost her.’ A pause then, defensively, ‘I know, I know . . . Look, she’s fast and, like you said, she knows this area.’ Another pause. ‘I’m on . . .’ his feet shuffled as he moved to look ‘. . . Croxted Street. I’ll wait here.’

Three breaths in, two breaths out.

Nathaniel’s not gonna like it if we lose her. You heard what he said. So let’s not, shall we?’

Foxborough Road. What did Isabelle say?She rubbed her forehead as she tried to remember.

She said left on Foxborough,she decided after a moment. Then right on the High Street.

She stared at him in astonishment. Isabelle had told her she’d send people to help. She hadn’t said ‘I’ll send one guy in a posh car.’ He looked very much like the men who’d chased her earlier – he wore an expensive-looking suit and his dark hair was cropped short.

Rachel was one of her best friends. Isabelle was the headmistress at Cimmeria Academy.

But sad people can’t make sad people happy.

I ran. They never touched me.’

‘Good girl.’

Hearing approval in his voice, Allie felt a flush of unexpected pride