Belle flinched as a crash came, sounding as if it was right by her head. The bats stirred restlessly. The men were tipping over the bedside tables. She heard drawers opening. Then slamming shut. They were at the dressing table. There was a curse, then a huge crash as they overturned it. Peering around the chimney, Belle saw Jill in the faint light flinch back, away from the door. Someone rattled the door, pulling at the handle. The bolt held.

Then all at once the men were gone, out of the room, going along the landing to the other bedrooms and bathrooms. More crashes. She saw Jill’s hand go to her mouth. Quiet, Belle. Hold on.

More crashes.

It was a nightmare and Belle prayed for it to be over. Wouldn’t they go soon, be satisfied the place was empty?

They had to go.

She felt something skitter over the flesh of her forearm and jammed a fist in her mouth to stop a scream.

It felt like they had been in here for hours, but it was minutes. And now . . . oh Jesus, the men were coming back. They were back in the master bedroom . . . no! They weren’t. They were passing the bedroom door, they were going down the stairs.

They were going.

It would be all right. Once they were gone, she and Mum would get in the car and drive, find Dad, all would be OK.

But Nipper said Ludo had dealt with Terry.

She couldn’t allow herself to dwell on that now. If she did, she’d panic and give them away.

Then she stiffened. Shit! No!

They were coming back up the stairs.

Into the master bedroom.

There was the sound of movement near the cupboard door. Belle saw the door shudder and then something slid into the gap between the door and the jamb.

A crowbar.

There was a wrenching thud and the bolt pinged off like a pistol shot. The door shuddered open. Harsh light from the master bedroom flooded in on Jill. She let out a scream that pierced Belle’s soul. Then they dragged Jill out of the hiding place.

102

Belle was cringing back behind the chimney breast, flattening herself into the corner by the rafters. She was gasping for air, sickened, terrified. The bats, right beside her head, fluttered their wings in unison. Their dark eyes gleamed like sequins.

‘Where’s Belle?’ Harlan was asking Jill. Belle could hear every word.

‘She went out to the village,’ said Jill’s voice. Unsteady. Panicky.

‘He warn you?’ asked Harlan.

Silence. There was a hard crack of flesh on flesh. Belle flinched and bit hard on her lip to stifle a yell of outrage.

‘Answer me. Did he?’

Jill was sobbing quietly now. But she didn’t answer.

‘Check it,’ said Harlan, and Belle saw shadows moving out in the bedroom. Nipper was checking inside the storage space, making sure Belle wasn’t in there too.