That thankful feeling that one has survived, and with a clear conscience.

But then this other feeling came along and made it impossible for him. I can’t leave the house. Now he walks along, observing with altered eyes these weary people around him, people who have never thought for an instant that they could get away.

We shall stay together, he thinks.

And now that is the comfortable feeling.

It’s a long time since he has walked along as happily as he is now on his way to John. The arrow corridor is shining. Stig feels almost arrogant as he steps into it. Then he ducks into another dark side passage, with struggling people in it.

Again he knocks on John’s door.

John stares at him in astonishment. ‘Have you forgotten something?’

‘No. I don’t suppose you’ve seen anything of Peter yet?’ ‘No,’ says John wearily.

Stig is filled with his decision. What fun to be able to tell someone about it.

‘I’m not leaving. I just wanted to come and tell you at once.’

John gazes at him. ‘You’re not going to leave? But surely you will? What’s happened?’

‘Nothing. When it came to the point it wasn’t really anything. I want to keep my job here. I can go into hiding for a bit somewhere or other, and then come back again. I’ve come to that conclusion.’

‘Are you sure? It must be wrong not to leave in a situation like this?’ says John.

Stig looks at John’s face. He sees the expression that passes over it, the expression he had been longing to see.

‘This is foolish, you know,’ says John.

‘Well well,’ he says again. ‘You know you can do as you like in this situation. But it is foolish.’

Stig sees a little gleam in the corner of John’s eye and all his doubts fall away.

13

On the Run

Stig is somewhere in the house. He has not been back home. He can’t go there because that’s where they’ll look for him. After his conversation with John he goes to some of the many hiding-places he knows. The thought that Karen will be receiving uninvited guests is unpleasant, but it’s a relief that she knows nothing and can make no mistakes.

He imagines her standing before the men who have hammered on the door and then forced their way into her home. But all she knows is that he left to post a letter. The truth will radiate from her. They will have to believe it.

But Rascal?

There’s Rascal’s frightened face behind her. That worries Stig too. Perhaps they’ll ask Rascal as well. Not that he can tell them anything dangerous, but it’s upsetting to imagine them towering in front of the child. Inexplicable for him. Frightening.

Stig clenches his fist at the thought.

He cannot prevent it. Whether he leaves or stays in the house, it will happen. Someone has pointed a finger at his home. They will come whether he is there or not, and wherever he is. So it’s a blessing that they will find two people who have nothing to hide. Karen will understand everything and she will comfort Rascal. Rascal will have to face this encounter with fear and with the swelling, inexplicable darkness. Thousands of children have to face it.