‘That’s simply not true. I won’t deny that Leanne has made a compelling case, but she has her own agenda.’

‘She lost a friend, I know. I lost a brother.’

‘And I lost a baby,’ Claudia reminded her.

‘And whose baby was it? Did Declan know you were pregnant?’ Karin demanded, her raised voice echoing through the tunnel.

Claudia shifted uncomfortably. The last angler she had seen was too far away to hear, but she couldn’t account for dog walkers. ‘I’m not your enemy,’ she said softly, forcing the conversation to lower levels. ‘You came to me, remember?’

Karin laughed. ‘Do I remember?’ she asked, mocking Claudia. ‘Do you know what? I think I’m starting to.’

Claudia glared back at her. ‘Fine, let’s get this out there. Leanne phoned me this morning with some crazy story about you being the one who saved Amelia. Can you believe that?’ When Karin didn’t respond, she added, ‘And I bet Leanne’s gone out of her way to plant the idea in that poor girl’s head, just like she’s planted it in yours. She wants a new headline, that’s all. She’s ruthless.’

‘I remember digging Amelia out.’

‘You said yourself you’ve absorbed false memories from the news reports. You’re reliving my experience, not yours.’

Karin pulled off her gloves and invited Claudia to look at the scars on her hands. ‘I didn’t get these from trying to reach Declan. He wasn’t the one who was buried.’

‘This is silly,’ Claudia said, rubbing her arms. The sweat on her skin had turned to ice and she shuddered as she glanced at the still surface of the canal. The water was black and bottomless. ‘You’re not well, Karin.’

‘I’m not as sick as you.’

Claudia’s lip curled. ‘I’ve had enough of this. I came here in good faith because I was worried about you, but if you’re determined to do battle, so be it.’ She made a show of looking Karin up and down. ‘Who’s going to believe you of all people? Seriously, you look half-crazed and that’s being polite. Are you ready for the abuse coming your way when the public hears your ramblings? They won’t believe you, Karin. You’re a nobody.’

‘I’m not interested in being in the headlines. I’m not like you.’

‘No? Then why are you here?’ demanded Claudia.

‘Because I remember seeing you inside the theatre.’ Karin let her gloves drop to the ground as she extended her arms. She was repeating the same movements she had made in her kitchen, reaching out for an invisible figure. ‘I saw you, Claudia.’

36