Page 179 of The Secret We Keep
Sprinting as fast as my legs will move, I’m hot on Evie’s tail within seconds. “Wait,” I cry, pulling her back, the rain hitting my face. “You can’t go running off like that. It’s cold and late.”
Ignoring me, Evie looks in the direction Kevin kept going. “We have to get him, Paddy,” she pleads, breathlessly, looking all around.
“I know that,” I holler back, squeezing her shoulders. “And we have to find Morgan. So don’t be stupid by making this night any harder. We don’t want to lose you too, you hear me?” I bark, voice lost. Angry. Scared. Fucking all of it.
Overriding everything, guilt strikes me when I see the look of sorrow etched on Evie’s young face. Her bottom lip juts out with a wobble, and when a roll of thunder rumbles above us, she shivers wildly, her body trembling uncontrollably. “I’m sorry. I thought I could help… I didn’t mean…”
Rain streaks down face, and I bend, dragging her into my arms.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Paddy.” Evie sobs into my neck, body freezing from the cold.
“No, I’m sorry, kid,” I say back, my legs wanting to buckle as Fi makes her way to my side. I give her a knowing look, and she squeezes my arm before I place Evie back on her feet. I wipe under both of her eyes, hating that I’m the cause of her tears. “I shouldn’t have shouted.”
She sobs, drying her eyes on the back of her sleeve. Her face is instantly wet again, thanks to the rain.
“Let’s find them.”
Nodding vehemently, Evie turns and runs.
We race at different paces up the hill, all calling Morgan and Kevin’s names in desperation.
A distant noise has us stopping. A snappy, constant bark that drills into my head, pulling my scattered attention.
One hand cupping her mouth, Evie frantically calls out, “Kevin,” the noise drowning out under the sound of the thunder and the rain slapping against the tarmac.
Trailing behind her, Fi and I move until the three of us make it to the top of the hill, drenched, my body cold to the bone with panicked sweats.
As sure as the impending storm about to hit, we find Kevin. But he’s alone in the bus shelter we take cover in, nose down, sniffing the ground.
My throat swells as my heart lurches. Of course. This is where Morgan came. He can smell her.
But she’s not here now.
When a crack of lightning illuminates the night sky, Kevin jumps with a fright and cowers in the corner, under the bench.
“Fi, get Evie and Kevin to Mum and Pops.”
She reaches down and grabs Kevin before he can run again.
“Paddy.” Evie tugs at the sleeve of my jacket. “Where is she?”
Repressing the urge to scream, I need Fi to get Evie out of here before I face what I can see. Confirmation that Morgan was here.
There’s a photograph on the concrete floor, surrounded by boot prints. Pink welly boot prints, no doubt.
Kevin wails in Fi’s arms, and I stroke him quickly, trying to settle him, swallowing the bile as I reach down and pick up the photo. The picture I had shown Morgan. The one from Holly’s memorial.
You can just make out the banner.In loving memory of Holly.Standing at the end of the long row of people is Morgan. Alone. Smiling. But so, so alone.
I begged Morgan to see it. I pleaded with her to see what I could see. “She was here.”
Fi gasps. “Jesus, Paddy.”
A profound emptiness opens up inside me. “What do I do?” My eyes sting like hot coals as I hold back my tears in front of Evie.
“We’ll go and get everyone.” Holding out her palm to Evie, Fi waits until she takes her hand. “Wait right here. I’m coming back for you,” she says to me.
The pair leave me on my own, stepping back out into the rain.
