you a perspective on life that’s impossible when you’re young. It’s why I think it’s time we were truthful with one another. Apologize where an apology is due.’ Kathleen held up a hand. ‘I know I should be first in line. I’m guilty of worse crimes to you than you are to me. But that’s why I thought you might understand. How, as a mother, I feel remorse at how I treated my child. I thought we should both come clean, confide in one another. Each of us is guilty of harming our children, albeit in different ways.’
‘I—’
‘Please, let me finish. I am old and I am tired of dishonesty. I rattle around in that huge house with all my money and I’ve realized I haven’t even been honest with myself. I owe you, Susanna, for past misdemeanours. I have nothing to give to you except what was rightfully yours, all those years ago. It’s your legacy. But as I wish to confess, so I think you should too. Strip us both of the blankets behind which we hide our crimes. Take us both back to the beginning. How it should have been.’
Susanna was struggling to take it all in. She shook her head. ‘Sorry, do you mean . . . you’re going to . . .’ She couldn’t say it.
Kathleen smiled. ‘Give you everything. Yes. When I die, you should have it all. But I can’t go to my grave with us like this. Call it catharsis if you like. I’m being selfish. Old age has made me want to atone. Maybe it’s what happens when you stare mortality in the face. I think you’re more like me than you know. And that makes me feel less lonely.
‘So what do you think? I’m asking you to be brave and honest. No judgements. I know it’s all because of me anyway. I want to hear what I’ve been responsible for so I can apologize. It’ll be between you and me. And I’ll thank you for it. With your rightful inheritance.’ Kathleen stood. ‘I’m not expecting you to decide now, I realize that’s unfair of me. These are big things to admit to.’
She made her way to the front door, Susanna following.
‘Let’s speak again tomorrow.’
As her mother opened the door, Susanna saw a taxi outside. Clocking them, he started the engine, and Susanna watched as Kathleen made her way over to the car and was helped inside.
She closed the door behind them and collapsed against it.
FIFTY-SEVEN
‘Move.’
Abby looked up to see their kidnapper was indicating up into the trees. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of pine, its sweetness making her nauseous. Time was running out. He wouldn’t have to take them far, just enough of a distance so they were out of sight of the path. It was likely no one came up here anyway; the track had appeared unused and Abby doubted it was a place that saw much human presence. It might be months before anyone found their bodies.
Ellie was staring at her, her eyes brittle with fear. The man had one arm around her sister’s upper body, pinning her hands by her side. The other still held the knife at Ellie’s throat. Abby saw the blade glint. Light had caught the metal and she looked down to see the yellow warmth from the inside of the car. The doors had been left open and the interior lights were the only brightness for miles. Oh, how she longed to get back inside. Grab her sister and run for it. Slam the doors shut and lock them. Drive like a maniac back down the path, mowing down the monster who had kidnapped them. She knew she wouldn’t care if he died, if she killed him. She imagined his body crushed by the wheels, his agony as he screamed out, but she would keep going. The key was waiting in the ignition, dangling. Just a couple of metres separated her from them.
‘Now!’ shouted the man. ‘Fucking move!’ Ellie whimpered in terror.
Abby looked at him, saw his fear, his need to get them in the woods. Shaking, she took a step in the direction of the trees. She had to go around the front of the car to do so. He was standing at an opening in the pines, just beyond the front passenger door. Abby continued edging forwards until she was almost around the other side of the car. It was dark and she didn’t notice a rock in the