‘I’m sorry about your mother,’ the stranger said. Jordan stared straight ahead. ‘I guess you’ve had enough of all that bollocks, eh?’

Jordan looked at him and nodded.

‘So how come you’re in the middle of nowhere? Where’s your dad?’

‘I got out of the car.’

‘Argument?’

‘Everything’s different now.’

‘That’s a lot of money to be offering. I guess your old fella has a few quid?’

‘We’re all right.’

‘You know people on the Beacon Estate don’t talk. I don’t think he’ll have to put his hand in his pocket any time soon.’

‘You reckon? Not for two hundred grand?’ Jordan asked.

‘They’re a tight lot. I used to live there myself.’

‘How did you…’

‘Escape?’ The man laughed. ‘It’s all right, I’m not offended. I studied hard at school. Got a good job. It’s the only way. I bet you don’t go to school in Penrith, do you?’

‘No, Keswick.’

‘Dad pay?’

Jordan nodded. ‘I hate it now.’

‘Figures. It won’t last forever. You’re angry.’

Jordan stared out of the window, trying to figure out how he came to be in this man’s car talking about his feelings. Some people were good after all.

‘Where you going?’

‘The Beacon Estate.’

‘What for?’

Jordan didn’t answer.

‘Revenge?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Not worth it, kid. They’ll be caught, you’ll see.’

Jordan stared at him. ‘Why do you have all this… belief? This hope?’

‘What else is there?’

They carried on in silence to the centre of Penrith. The man wished him luck when he dropped him off. It felt odd. Jordan walked around and around aimlessly, undecided what to do, only sure of the fact that he didn’t want to go home. He felt foolish and decided against going to the Beacon Estate. He’d ignored ten calls from Millie and felt bad about it.

He told her he’d get a bus to Pooley Bridge and walk from there. She said she needed to get out of the house too and wanted to meet him.

Chapter 27

The press conference had gone well, but being in such close proximity to Ormond had been a challenge for Kelly. Something in the atmosphere at Eden House had shifted. This was her patch: her manor. But it didn’t feel right, and she found herself eyeing everyone suspiciously, even her team.