Megan choked back her tears, her eyes still shut, as he turned his head to watch her, taking pleasure in her obvious distress, wallowing in her suffering, amused by her forlorn hope. ‘You… err… you take the lead. I’d be grateful if you would.’

‘Very well, my new friend, I’ll make a start.’ Heath spent the next few minutes pleading for Lottie’s safe return. When he moved on to ask God to care for her, should she die at the abductor’s hands, Megan was inconsolable. Heath hugged her tightly, pulling her close and picturing himself tearing off her clothes, as she lay in a blood-soaked and battered heap.

‘Thank you, Martin. I’m glad of your help.’

‘I’m here for you whenever you need me. I want you to remember that. And you know where I live. Call on me any time if you need to talk. We can pray together again any time you wish. I’m at your disposal. All you have to do is ask. My door is always open. I’d like to think this is the start of a long and fruitful friendship.’

‘Thank you, it’s appreciated.’

Such a stupid woman, so gullible, so desperate for comfort. He looked into her eyes, resisting the almost overwhelming desire to place his hands around her throat and squeeze. ‘I’m glad to be of assistance. If Lottie lives, I’ll help you celebrate. And when she dies… I’m sorry, I meant to say if, if she dies, I’ll help you mourn.’ He closed his eyes for one last time, pressing his palms together. ‘Hear our prayer, God Almighty on high. No little girl should be alone, terrified and desperate for her mother’s touch. Have mercy on Lottie and her dear mother too. Let their misery come to a rapid end one way or another.’

37

‘What the fuck happened to your face?’

Kesey touched her right cheek. ‘Kick-boxing, I took a class last evening. A student caught me with a turning-kick when I was trying to spar and teach at the same time. Distractions aren’t a good idea if you’re fighting.’

Lewis grimaced. ‘Ah, yeah, I remember Grav saying something about your extracurricular activities, now that I think about it. There must be easier ways to keep fit.’

‘Hitting things keeps me sane. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. It helps to work through my frustrations.’

‘Yeah, I get that. Rugby used to do the same thing for me.’ He patted his overhanging beer belly. ‘I have to rely on the booze these days.’

‘How did it go in Cardiff?’

‘If it’s him, I’ll eat my fucking hat. And yours too, if you’ve got one.’

Kesey blew the air from her mouth. ‘Can you expand on that for me?’

‘The scrote grabbed the boy, panicked, and then actually shat himself. He was humming, crap running down the inside of his trousers, when the South Wales boys stopped his van about ten minutes later. The man’s a nervous wreck. I thought he was going to puke at one point when I put a bit of pressure on. And he cried twice, more with concern for himself than anyone else. I’ve never wanted to slap a man more. There is no way he broke into the Wellers’ house, climbed the stairs in the dark, and took Lottie from the bed while Megan slept next to her. He’s enough of a pervert, I’ve no doubt on that score, but he hasn’t got the bottle. He’ll be shitting himself a few more times before the penal system’s done with him. Prisoners don’t like nonces. They’ll punch his teeth out and use his gob as an arsehole. And good enough for the cunt, the world would be a better place without him.’