She picked up three different bottles of antibiotics and stuffed them in her pocket. They’d just have to sew up Robbie’s leg in the morning. She closed the cabinet and headed for the doors – one step nearer the loos. She was just locking up when she remembered that Alexander and Cass had rearranged everything the other day. They’d announced that they were moving stuff like needles and thread to a different area. Samira pushed her hair back off her face and let her breath out in a long sigh.

She could lie about it. Say she’d forgotten.

Who would know the difference?

No.

She knew she couldn’t do it. She’d been brought up to be a good girl and always tell the truth. And, besides, it wasn’t fair on Robbie. She turned and hurried back into the lab.

The toilet would have to wait.

Paul was moving in towards his prey. Slowly, slowly, carefully, carefully. Stay in the shadows. Try not to make any sound. When he was close enough he would show himself and that would be it.

End of.

He had to do this quickly and cleanly, and then get the body away as fast as he could. That would be the hardest part. The killing would be simple. The kid wouldn’t put up much of a fight.

He licked his lips. They were cracked and bleeding. He tasted his own blood. Sharp. Metallic. Alive. It zinged in his mouth and a wave of dizziness came over him. He closed his eyes for a moment, calming down, slowing his breathing. When he opened them again he cursed inwardly. Boney-M was there, lolloping across the floor.

Not now, he wanted to say, they’ll see you.

Boney-M turned and fixed one glinting black eye on Paul. Like a shark’s eye. Cold and uncaring. It looked right through him.

‘Do it!’ the bird thing screamed. ‘Do it now!’

Chapter 27

27

Jibber-jabber had heard a noise. A shuffling sound. Something scraping along a wall.

He was shaking all over, the toilet seat rattling under him. He was too scared to move, to pull up his trousers, to call for help.

He didn’t want to give himself away.

Where was Ella?

If only somebody would come. If only somebody else needed the loo. Then they’d come in. Rescue him. He’d never been a fighter. Had always relied on running away. He closed his eyes and felt tears squeeze out from under his eyelids.

This was a horrible way to die. Sitting on a stupid toilet. Horrible. Horrible.

Ella thought she heard something. Someone. Moving about in the dark places of the hall. She called out very quietly.