Page 50 of Her Last Walk Home

An invisible magnet drew him to Cairnbeg, the sprawling housing estate he’d been in the night before. He parked on the opposite side to the house where he’d seen her enter and eased back the seat, scooting down out of sight.

After a while, the door opened and out she came. A childish bobble hat on her head and a purple rain jacket. What was she waiting for? Come on, pretty girl, let’s get going, he thought.

She stretched back her hand, and that was when he saw the stroller.

‘A kid. Another one with a kid! Do they all have fucking kids?’ When his breath fogged up the windscreen, he realised he’d been talking aloud. Could his life get any worse?

He kept watch as she made her way through the estate. Follow her? Yes. In the car? No. She could be going somewhere he couldn’t drive. On foot, then.

He found his scarf on the back seat and locked the car. Tightening the scarf against the sharp mid-morning breeze, he fell into step behind her. She was walking slowly, so he eased his pace. If she glanced behind her, who would she see? A man with a hat pulled low over his forehead, a scarf up around his mouth. His jacket was black, nondescript like his trousers.

Maybe he could catch up. Make small talk. Find out what made her tick. No, keep your distance and don’t make a mistake. His thoughts echoed whatshewould say, and that enraged him. He clenched his fists in his pockets and walked as slowly as he could without appearing more suspicious than he supposed he was already.

Sitting on the cold bench in the park, Shannon kept her eyes focused on Davy. His spots had died down a little and she hoped the contagious phase had passed. Plus, she didn’t want anyone commenting on his chickenpox. Jess could be insensitive at times.

Checking her phone again with one eye on the boy, she found that there was no update from her friend since she’d texted to say she’d meet her. About to put the phone away and get up to push the child on the swing, it rang. She gazed at the caller ID. What washeringing her for? Everything was supposed to be done through the web portal.

‘Hi,’ she said tentatively.

‘Shannie. I’ve got a date for you. Tonight. Interested?’

‘Sure. Hope he’s loaded. I’m bloody broke.’

‘He knows you’re not to pay for anything. I’ll send him your number to make the arrangements.’

‘Why not do it through the portal?’

‘Bit awkward at the moment. Did you hear the news?’

‘About what?’

‘The woman who was murdered. The guards are all over it, but you’ve nothing to worry about. It’ll blow over in a day or two.’

‘What are you talking about?’ A creeping itch spread up her spine and settled at the nape of her neck. Fear. ‘Why would the guards be on to you?’

‘I didn’t say that. Don’t worry your pretty head. I’m dealing with it. Have a good night tonight.’

He rang off before she could quiz him further. He’d referred to the murdered girl, Laura Nolan. She’d met her last year. And what about John Morgan? If Jess had got the name right. Was his murder linked to Laura’s? Did that mean she was in danger too?

She glanced up to see Davy dangling from the monkey rings by his little hands.

‘Jesus Christ, Davy! How did you get up there?’ She ran towards him.

‘Nice man helped me.’

‘What man? Davy! What man?’

‘He’s gone.’

‘Where?’ She looked all around but saw no one else.

‘Push me on the swing now.’

‘Where is the man?’

‘Don’t know. Push me?’

‘Sure.’ She lifted him down and brought him to the swings.

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