‘Yeah, fine words,’ he laughed, and shoved her away from him. ‘I’ll see you around, Shauna. Love to the kiddies! Or maybe I’ll see them first!’

And he turned away and was gone while she was still standing there shivering with shock on the pavement.

152

152

To her dismay, Shauna found she felt too unsteady to continue her journey after her confrontation with Jeb. Gingerly she inched the car back on to the drive, parked up, and switched off the engine. She grabbed her bag and tottered indoors, going into the kitchen and swigging back a glass of water at the sink. Then the doorbell rang.

Fuck!

She’d forgotten to close the gates when she’d driven back up and now Jeb had come for another go at her. Well by Christ she’d teach that bastard a lesson he’d never forget. Threaten her kids, would he? She yanked the Magnum out of her bag, weaved her way back into the hall and opened the front door.

It wasn’t Jeb.

Claire Milo was standing there.

‘Hello, Shauna,’ said Claire.

Shauna stared at her like she was a ghost. Then she stepped backwards, holding the gun behind her back. Claire came past her into the hall, and Shauna shoved the door closed. She couldn’t believe it. The gutless little wonder had come here.

‘What the hell do you want?’ said Shauna, following Claire into the kitchen.

Claire turned, and saw the gun in Shauna’s hand. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t plead or cry. Shauna wished that she would. She’d enjoy that.

‘You know what?’ Claire’s eyes held Shauna’s steadily. ‘I’ve been frightened of you for a long, long time.’

‘Well, you’re right to be.’ Shauna gave a mirthless, faltering grin. After getting shoved about by Jeb, it was good to feel in control again, on top of the situation. ‘Shame you didn’t do as you were told in the first place, and stay clear.’

‘I couldn’t do that,’ said Claire. ‘Not when I met up with Josh again. We loved each other.’

‘Shut up,’ said Shauna, raising the gun, the grin dropping from her face. ‘Just shut your fucking yap or I’ll finish you right now.’

‘You know Josh was Fearless Flynn? Well, aren’t all us Romanies meant to be that, really? Fearless? But I’ve lived in fear for too long. And now I’m sick of it. I’ve had enough. So I wanted to come here today, and tell you that I’m not afraid of you any more.’

‘Why’s that?’ asked Shauna, holding the gun steady on Claire’s heart. Christ, it would feel so good to pull the trigger, to see her go down for the last time. This bitch who’d stolen Josh off her.

‘Easy to be brave with a gun in your hand,’ said Claire.