She was the perfect victim. All Brenda needed was an opportunity. A swim in a deep lake.

But, as she planned it – and her hunger grew and became harder to hide – she saw that Alice was more than merely a way to ease her need.

More than just a victim.

She was the answer to everything. All Brenda’s problems would be removed at one stroke.

She left the body in shallow water, taking care to make sure no one was around. Then she took her large rucksack – she had no need for it or its contents any more, not now she had Alice’s – and carried it into the lake. She opened the flap and stuffed in some large rocks, then turned the body on its front and twisted the arms through the straps.

Then she clipped the waist strap around Alice’s hips and dragged her out into the middle of the lake.

It was a struggle to move the body and the rucksack – the weight of the rocks and rucksack dragged it down, which was exactly the point – but fortunately the lake deepened steeply so she didn’t have to go more than thirty or forty yards.

Still, when she got to the spot she wanted, she was panting, and it was a relief to let go and watch the body sink into the darkness.

She lay on her back and stared up at the blue sky. It was cloudless and she felt a sensation of perfect peace.

Beneath her, the body of Alice Barnes drifted to its final resting place.

PART THREE

Saturday, 28 August 2021

Tom

He sent the email, then forwarded the original to Roland.

Hey – look at these photos! Alice has changed a lot. I’m going to ask for a couple more – will copy you. Then can you get them printed and we can meet up? Thanks, Tom

He was interrupted by Alice.

‘Tom,’ she said. ‘Let’s go. I’m ready.’

She was standing by the back door, Jo perched in a backpack. In her hand she had a small rucksack.

‘Is that new?’ he said. ‘I haven’t seen it before.’

‘No,’ she said. ‘I’ve had it years. I forgot about it. The last time I used it was when I was here, and so I dug it out.’

‘Give me a minute. I have to send an email.’

She walked outside and stood looking at the lake. He opened his laptop and started to type.

Nellie

Thanks once again for the photos. It’s coming together well! One more question – do you have anything from the post-university years? I don’t have any from before I met her.

If so, could you send them to me and Roland (on copy)?

Best

Tom

As he hit send, an email notification popped up. It was from Roland.