Dylan’s eyes dart towards the house and he grimaces. ‘I haven’t seen Norman in years. I’m sure he’s a reformed man. Or perhaps not. I don’t know.’ His expression changes and he looks sad. ‘Me and Flora, we were kids. I know we wouldn’t have lasted. But I’ve carried the guilt for all these years, wondering if I could have done something. I should have made sure she got home okay … but I left her there.’

I frown, trying to keep up. ‘Left her where?’

He chews his lip and has the good grace to look ashamed. He hangs his head. ‘In London. We went there for the day. But while we were there we had a huge row and came back separately. Went to the fair. There’s witnesses to put me there. I’m not lying.’ His blue eyes flash. ‘But I should have seen her home. She disappeared from the bus stop back in Tilby. Did you know that?’

‘Yes. I read it at the time.’

‘A family drove past and saw her walking past the clock tower. It was less than ten minutes from her home.’

‘I know.’

‘She came home safely from London.’

I stare at him, appalled. Does that make it better? Because she hadn’t disappeared in London after he’d left her there? I should have told someone. I should have told Heather the truth, or just stopped Flora going. If she’d been in Tilby she wouldn’t have been at the bus stop, and she wouldn’t have been walking along the high street, alone at night. She might still be alive and Heather wouldn’t have ruined her life trying to get revenge.

Dylan groans. ‘And now this.’

I frown. ‘What?’

‘Clive.’ He covers his face with his hands. Is he crying? ‘It’s my fault,’ he says, through his fingers. ‘He must have killed her because of me.’

Chapter 38

38

August 1994

Flora shoved a twenty-pound note into a beaded fabric purse. It was all the money she had. She wasn’t allowed to touch her savings. They were sitting in her building-society account waiting until she was old enough to buy her first car, her mum always said. And it wasn’t as if she was running away. No, it was just a day trip. She’d be back by dark. Before anyone worked out that she was gone.

Her mum was so busy with the caravan park that she wouldn’t notice where she was. Just as long as she returned home at the normal time, all would be well. She would have asked Heather to cover for her, but she still wasn’t talking to her sister. She was furious with her for almost splitting up her and Dylan. Almost. But it hadn’t worked.