‘Yes; I have nothing to lose really. I’ll be dead in six-to-twelve months but I don’t care. I will have saved my beloved Conmere and my sons.’

‘You’re mad, you know that?’ said Steph.

‘Oh, shut up and get in the bloody water,’ snarled Pru.

Steph shook her head vehemently, her hands gripping the wooden seat. Still, the speed with which Pru moved took her by surprise, and before she realised what was happening Pru had yanked her to her feet. ‘Get off me!’ grunted Steph as she tried to pull Pru’s hands from the neck of her jumper.

Pru was stronger than she looked and Steph was fighting hard to keep her balance as Pru tried to tip her overboard. The boat lurched to one side and then the other. Steph’s footing was momentarily dislodged, and as she attempted to re-establish her balance her foot slipped on the waxed cotton coat. Pru seized the opportunity and threw her weight into Steph, sending them both flying out of the boat and into the water.

Chapter Forty

Conmere, Friday, 17 May 2.57 p.m.

As Harry stormed out of the living room, he was greeted by the sound of more raised voices. This time two women’s. He looked up and was surprised to see Wendy Lynch standing there, in the middle of a heated debate with Heidi.

‘I just want you to ring my daughter or call her on the walkie-talkie or whatever system you use,’ Wendy was demanding. She looked round as Harry stepped into the hall. ‘Right, you. Where’s my daughter?’

Harry shot Heidi a look. ‘Where’s Steph?’

‘On her lunch break, but she’s not in the staff kitchen – I’ve just come from there.’ Heidi looked at her watch. ‘She should be back in about ten minutes.’

‘Any idea where she might have gone?’

At that moment Eileen came through from the main doors, and she stopped in her tracks as she took in the worried faces in front of her.

‘Have you seen Steph?’ Harry asked, trying to keep the anxiety from his voice.

‘A while ago, yes – I saw her walking with Mrs Sinclair.’

‘Where?’ he demanded, barely before Eileen had finished her sentence.

‘Through the resort.’ She pointed in the direction of the terrace and pool.

‘Did you see where they went?’ Harry’s heart was hammering inside him.

‘Just saw them go down the terrace steps,’ said Eileen. ‘Mrs Sinclair didn’t have the girls with her.’