Chapters (39)
- Cover
- Title
- Author’s Note
- Glossary
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Acknowledgments
“Or he decided—who knows why—not to wait and is trying to make his way to us, here,” offered Helen. “Did Geoffrey say how he was? I mean, was Derek feeling stronger? Up to taking on the escape route?”
All eyes were on Diane. She was looking at her boots again. “He didn’t seem up to much,” she muttered. “Geoffrey was surprised that he got as far as the river.”
“But that was yesterday,” said Bruce. “It’s possible he’s feeling better today.”
“Oh God, I hope he’s okay,” said Bev, laying her head on Helen’s shoulder. “I hope they’re all okay. Let this nightmare be over.”
The office door opened and Geoffrey emerged. He paused on the stair and looked around as if he’d stepped into a world he didn’t recognise. His eyes settled on his friends and he approached, shoulders hunched and feet dragging.
“The helicopter is on its way,” he said, scratching his head. “It’ll be there at any moment. We’ll know if . . . have news soon, I hope.”
“Thank God,” said Bev.
“Will they take Faye, too? And . . . Derek? If he’s with them? To the hospital, I mean?” asked Bruce.
“They don’t know for certain but it’s unlikely. I asked. It’s a rescue helicopter. Only has space for the pilot, co-pilot, two medics and one patient. I’m sorry.”
“How was Faye, Geoffrey? When you saw her at the river yesterday?” asked Bev.
“She seemed okay. She had some scratches from a bush but said she was okay. Worried about Clare. Very worried.”
Helen stood, walked to Geoffrey and placed a hand on his shoulder. “They’ll be okay. All of them. We have to believe that,” she said. “Clare will get to hospital and recover. The others will make it to Heuningbos and wait until the vehicles can reach them there.”
“Yes,” said Geoffrey. “When Derek gets to Faye, she’ll take care of him.”
“When will you contact Michelle? To tell her about Clare?”
“When we know more. Simon will tell us.”
Thirty
Thirty
The sun was low and the forest lively with the sounds of birds roosting. Faye tried telling herself Clare would be strong enough to withstand another night without medical care, but she couldn’t silence her doubt. Sometimes she thought she heard breaks in the girl’s breathing, just as the hospice nurse had described. She’d lean forward and place her cheek close to Clare’s mouth to feel her breath on her skin. It was light, but was there. Her chest barely moved but Faye told herself that it was because Clare was breathing as shallowly as possible to protect herself from the pain. Even so, the stillness was disconcerting.