McGuffey winced and wondered was he going mad himself. He had never cared for another individual in his life. His childhood beatings at the hands of a violent and drunken father had made sure of that, and yet now, here, with death stalking him from the shadows, he felt confused. ‘She has my blood running through her veins. It’s different. Take the tape off her mouth and give her a drink.’

Jay took a step backwards. ‘Do it yourself. She’s money to us, nothing else. I don’t give a shite if she’s your granddaughter.’

McGuffey raised his gun. ‘I may be in pain, but there is nothing wrong with my aim. Take the gag off her.’

Jay was about to protest but thought better of it. ‘I don’t need you now – I can take the money and run,’ he spat.

‘Do that,’ said McGuffey, ‘and when they do find her, I’ll tell the guard it was you all along, that you kidnapped us both. I’ll make sure you’re locked up and the key is thrown away. You have no training in survival, you won’t last five minutes.’

Jay hesitated, looked towards the entrance to the cave, bent swiftly, held Mary Kate by the hair and ripped off the tape.

She didn’t make a sound, just turned her head and looked into McGuffey’s eyes.

‘Don’t speak,’ said McGuffey, laying his gun across his lap. ‘I won’t think twice about using this if you do. Sit up.’

She pushed her elbows into the floor and tried to heave herself up. ‘I can’t,’ she croaked. ‘My hands are tied.’

‘Untie her hands,’ said McGuffey.

‘Are you fecking mad?’ Jay almost shouted through clenched teeth.

‘No, I’m not. Her feet are still tied, she won’t be going anywhere, and I’ll watch her.’ His fingers clenched the barrel of his gun.

Jay dropped to his haunches and undid the rope behind Mary Kate’s back.

She breathed deeply, fighting an overwhelming urge to scream. She knew she was in grave danger and had to weigh both her words and actions very carefully.

McGuffey held out the whiskey bottle to Jay. ‘Give her this.’ He turned his gaze directly on her. ‘Can you speak?’

Mary Kate nodded, her eyes darting around the cave, searching to see how Jay got in and out. There was no obvious opening. She took the whiskey, but her hands were weak and she almost dropped the bottle.

‘Help her,’ barked McGuffey.

Jay looked daggers at him but did as he’d ordered and bent down and held the bottle to her lips.

She immediately began to cough and splutter and seized the opportunity to speak. ‘Why am I here? Let me go, please,’ she gasped.

McGuffey appeared not to hear her. His eyes were closed as he swigged on the whiskey. Jay answered for him. ‘We’ve left a note for your fancy American to pay us a ransom. He will leave the money tonight and then we will be off and living the life of lords. No one will find us.’