‘Are you telling me to ignore my suspicions, Reverend? Allow her to be abused by her own father?’

‘No, Muriel, of course not.’ He sounded exasperated. ‘We’re both after the same outcome here, I think?’ He raised both eyebrows, his deep honey-brown eyes boring into Muriel’s. ‘If you help me out here, I can help you out with your “mission”?’

Muriel raised her eyebrows to match the Reverend’s expression. What exactly was he saying? She questioned if he really knew about her mission, because his current suggestion led her to believe he couldn’t. He seemed too keen to protect Billy rather than rid the village of him, which was her aim.

Unless he knew something she didn’t. He was privy to things she wasn’t, being a servant of God. And lots of villagers entrusted him with their personal business. Maybe he had information she could use. ‘I do have something I’m working on, actually,’ Muriel said, finally. ‘I’m sure at some point down the line you’d be useful.’

He smiled, baring his large, square teeth. ‘That’s good. God moves in mysterious ways, Muriel. He will ensure the safety of the flock.’

Muriel wasn’t so sure about that. She couldn’t place so much faith in the Lord, only in herself.

Chapter Seventy-Three

2019

Anna

Thursday 18th July

Anna held her mobile up higher, trying to get a full signal before calling Carrie. She’d walked to the end of her mother’s road, not just because of the signal, but also because she wanted to be out of earshot. After she chatted with Carrie, she wanted to tell James what she’d found out about her dad. She needed someone who knew her, someone who knew her history, to talk it through with.

Finally gaining four bars, Anna dialled. Carrie picked up on the first ring.

‘Mum! Where have you been? Why haven’t you called me?’

Anna’s heart plummeted. Her poor daughter was suffering from her absence.

‘I’m so sorry, love. I don’t think I’ll be much longer.’ Anna winced; she shouldn’t make false promises. ‘If it looks like it’ll take more time, I’ll bring Nanna home with me.’

‘Why can’t I come there with you?’

‘You’d be so bored here, Carrie. There’s literally nothing to do. Don’t you remember me telling you how tedious it was for me growing up here? Trust me, nothing has changed.’

‘But I’d be with you. I miiiiissssss you,’ she wailed.

‘I miss you too, honey. I have a feeling things might sort themselves out in the next few days.’ And she did have that feeling – she wasn’t lying about that. In her gut, Anna knew it was coming to a head – some grand finale was due. Given that the thirty-year anniversary of Jonie’s actual disappearance was tomorrow – Friday 19th July – it seemed the most likely day that this, whatever ‘this’ was, would end. How it would end was the worrying, unknown factor.

After giving Carrie further assurances she’d see her soon, she was happy to pass the phone to James.