The seat belt made it difficult to move but she held them up enough for him to be able to reach down and untie her feet. He reached over and unclicked the seat belt.

‘Get out. And no fuss.’

She stood up. The rain on her face was glorious. She looked around to see if anyone was nearby.

She would do whatever it took.

He grabbed her damaged elbow. She ignored the pain – it was hard, but she could not be put off by mere pain. Not now.

‘Let’s go,’ he said.

I pull her towards a gap in the hedge. It’s about two hundred yards to a path – where there might be people, so I will have to watch for that – and then from there about another fifty yards to a part of the cliff that can be descended to a small platform, which is hidden from view.

And it is from there she will fall to her death.

No one will see, no one will know, and I will be gone for good.

She resists, but not much. It feels like a token resistance. I wonder whether she has given up. I wouldn’t be surprised. She is not like me. Maybe she will accept her fate.

Either way, it makes no difference. I will get my way.

And perhaps she knows that, which is why she has given up.

We cross the field. I slip the knife – part of me wants her to protest so I can follow through on my threat. I have never slit anyone’s throat before, but there will be other opportunities – out from under my armpit and press it against her hip.

A little reminder of what awaits her, and her children, to keep her on the straight and narrow.

I can see the path ahead, and then the spot that goes down to the small platform. There is no one around, but I speed us up nonetheless. I don’t want to rush this – it is too pleasurable – but I don’t want to get caught. That would be a disaster.

My fun can wait until we are hidden from view.

She lets me hurry her along. I have to say I am a little disappointed that she does. I would enjoy a bit more fight, a bit more challenge.

This is all too easy.

Annabelle

She could smell the sea. It was a glorious smell; she wondered whether it would always remind her of this moment, whether it would be ruined by Guy.

That assumed, of course, she would ever smell it again.

She breathed in deeply and let it fill her lungs.

It gave her strength. She felt it fill her muscles.

Guy looked around, and then sped up. He must be worried about being seen. For a moment she considered fighting back in case someone was nearby, but then she felt the blade against her hip and decided not to.