Harry sighed. Owen’s sulky expression made him look like a kid again. He placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘You of all people shouldn’t underestimate me or how much I care. Just because I’m in France, it doesn’t mean I’m not here for you – if you need me, that is.’

Owen looked away and Harry gave him time to contemplate his response. Finally, Owen spoke. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just I’ve had Dominic on my back this morning already and now you. Look, I promise I’m not doing coke or anything like that. One of the guests left it in their lodge and one of the cleaners handed it in. Dom wasn’t about, so I took it. I meant to flush it down the toilet, but I forgot I’d put it in my baccy pouch. I didn’t want anyone to see it.’

Harry wasn’t entirely convinced by his brother’s story – after all, it wouldn’t be the first time Owen had lied about his habits.

‘OK, sorry if I jumped to conclusions,’ Harry said, making a mental note to keep an eye on Owen while he was in the UK. They began walking again. ‘What was the beef with Dominic?’

‘Oh, nothing really. Just Dominic being Dominic. I think he forgets that I don’t actually work for him and that we work with each other. You know, all equal.’ Owen kicked at the gravel path. ‘But going back to what we were saying – if you can speak to him about the survival-days idea, then I can get on with it and sort it all out. He doesn’t even have to get involved.’

‘I’ll do my best,’ said Harry, although he was pretty sure that wasn’t what his brothers had been arguing about earlier.

Chapter Nine

Two Years Earlier, Conmere,
19 August, 10.55 a.m.

‘Damn that bloody woman,’ said Elizabeth as she ended the call on her mobile. She was sitting in the coffee shop in the main shopping street of Kendalton, consoling herself with some retail therapy. Several boutique bags sat at her feet, but today the feeling of satisfaction wasn’t there. She didn’t really care for the £250 dress, the £300 boots or the £120 skirt she’d just acquired. It had been done out of spite, if she was honest. She’d used the credit card Harry had given her linked to his account which was supposed to be for emergencies, but Elizabeth had felt justified in using it today. After all, it was an emergency as far as she was concerned.