‘As soon as we’re home, though – you need to call him.’

It might be gone midnight, but their night wasn’t over yet. While the task of contacting her father was a daunting prospect, there was no way she’d allow Muriel to put it off. Anna wouldn’t sleep now until this was over.

Chapter One Hundred

2019

Lizzie

‘Did that go how you’d planned?’ Lizzie was sitting in her car, Billy in the passenger seat. The four of them who’d remained in the lounge after Muriel and Anna left, had carried on talking for a bit longer, thrashing out ideas of how to follow up on the demand for Muriel to contact Eric. Apart from Billy – he’d been quiet, not adding much to the conversation. It was as though he were holding something back. Not keen to share his plan of action. It made Lizzie nervous.

‘Ah, sort of,’ he said, his head cocked.

‘Only sort of. What else had you hoped for?’

‘Well, they didn’t exactly apologise for causing me to spend almost my entire adult life behind bars, did they?’

‘Not in so many words, no. But I think that some, at least, were very sorry. Even if those exact words weren’t uttered. The expressions on their faces when the truth began emerging …’ Lizzie widened her eyes. ‘That must’ve given a degree of satisfaction?’

‘I won’t be satisfied until she’s found, Lizzie.’

Hearing Billy say her name, rather than using Eliza, was like an electric shock pulsing through her body. Maybe she’d be able to forge some kind of father–daughter relationship with him now. Or would it be impossible after such a huge gap – after all that had gone on?

‘Do you really believe Eric Fisher will confess? What if he doesn’t remember?’

‘Oh, he’ll confess, all right. And trust me,’ Billy said, his eyes burning, ‘he remembers.’

Lizzie was uncertain how to respond to that, so instead shuffled in her seat, placing her hands on the steering wheel.

‘Do you want me to drive you back to the farm? I could try and fit your bike in the boot.’

Billy shook his head. ‘No, thanks. I haven’t finished here yet.’

Chapter One Hundred and One

2019

Eric

The outside of the house hadn’t altered.

Eric had parked two streets away and walked, ducking down the side entrance and knocking on the back window. Lights were on inside, but no one answered. He should’ve called before he set off. He checked his watch.

Midnight.

Where the hell was Muriel? There’d be no way she was out this late. There was a car in front of the garage belonging to Muriel’s house. Not hers – he supposed it could be Anna’s. If they were both here, was it because there was a problem?

His pulse hammered in his ears.

Billy’s here.

The words flashed through his mind.

It was the only explanation. He strode up and down the garden, trying to release from his body the sudden surge of adrenaline. He wouldn’t allow Billy to do it. Not after he’d spent the best part of thirty years away from his girls to keep them safe. He wasn’t going to allow Billy to hurt them.