Dark Waters(20)

Klaus stared at him for a long while, saying nothing. ‘But you do,’ he said at last.

And Col knew it was true. He did want to go to London.

But Mungo would never let him.





Chapter Twelve


‘If Col doesn’t want to go, Dominic, you’ll just have to accept it.’ Mrs Sampson had been trying to placate her son since Col had phoned to tell them his decision.

‘But he does want to go,’ Dominic insisted, then added, ‘He told me, he’s desperate to go.’

Ella tutted loudly. ‘What a liar!’

‘Ella!’ Mrs Sampson scolded.

Dominic turned on his sister. ‘It’s all your fault. You don’t want him to go. You don’t like him.’

‘That’s true,’ Ella admitted. ‘I don’t want him to go, and I don’t like him. I don’t trust him.’ She pleaded with her mum. ‘They’re a dangerous family, mother. They’re always in the newspaper. His dad was notorious as well. He was killed driving a getaway car.’

‘I know their reputation,’ Mrs Sampson conceded. ‘But that makes no difference. Col saved Dominic’s life. He’ll always be special to me.’

Dominic stuck his tongue out at his sister. He leapt at his mother. ‘If you asked him, Mum, he would go. Please, Mum! Can we go and see Col?’

Ella screeched at him, ‘You’re not going to that house. We could have a lovely trip to London … just us. I’ll make a cardboard cut out of Col McCann. I’ll even sit beside it.’

‘Shut up you!’ Dominic yelled. ‘If Col doesn’t go to London, neither do I!’

Ella smiled. ‘This trip is sounding better by the minute.’


It was only because of Dominic that Mrs Sampson found herself knocking on the door of the McCanns’ house. Dominic was in tow of course. He had refused to stay at home.

She hoped the notorious Mungo would not be there, but to her dismay it was Mungo himself who opened the door.

He spread himself in the doorway, his whole body language barring their way.

‘What do you want?’

Before Mrs Sampson could answer, Dominic, who couldn’t read body language too well, had caught sight of Col and darted under Mungo’s arm.

‘Hey, Col,’ he shouted. ‘It’s me!’

‘I’d never have guessed,’ Col said, coming towards him.

‘Dominic!’ Mrs Sampson tried to call him back but it was no use, he was in now. ‘Sorry,’ she said to Mungo.

It was only when Mam hurried from the kitchen that Mungo moved aside sullenly.

‘Oh, Mrs Sampson, it’s yourself. Come on in, would you like a wee cup of tea?’

Col was glad his mother greeted them so warmly. He wanted the Sampsons to know that his family was special too. In spite of all they had heard.

‘I’ve just made some pancakes,’ Mam said.

‘My Mam makes the best pancakes,’ Col said proudly.

‘I’m sure she does, Col,’ Mrs Sampson smiled. ‘I’ve never mastered the art of making them myself.’

Mam ushered them into her living room, and switched off the television.

Mungo stood leaning against the doorway, silently, just watching. His face giving nothing away.

‘If you’ve come to try to persuade me to go, I’m not going,’ Col glanced at his brother as if to reassure him.

‘Well, if you’re not going, I’m not going.’ Dominic flopped on to the sofa in a huff. ‘There’s no point if you don’t go.’

Mrs Sampson sat beside him and patted his knee. She looked at Col. ‘You know what he’s like, Col. This is all he goes on about. He’s driving the whole family potty. I promised I’d come and ask you just one more time. But he is right. There is no point if you don’t go.’

Col looked at her. She was a really pretty woman, in a pale sort of a way, but in the light from the fire she had a golden glow. Her golden hair, her gold earrings, the gold necklet she wore, her gold watch, all gleamed in the firelight and seemed to make her come alive. Mungo was watching her too. Probably thinking exactly what Col was thinking. Mrs Sampson was pretty, beautiful even, but she wasn’t a patch on his Mam. His Mam, with her beautiful eyes and her rich, warm laughter. She was laughing now, smiling at Dominic.

‘Yes, I’ve heard some tales about you, Dominic,’ she said.

‘Please let him go, Mrs McCann.’

‘I’m not stoppin’ him, darlin’.’ She turned to Col. ‘Am I, son?’

Her glance took in Mungo. As if she was waiting for him to say something. Mungo didn’t. He remained stonily silent and sombre by the doorway. Mrs Sampson didn’t wait for Col’s answer. ‘We all want Col with us. We’ll be flown down and put up in a lovely hotel, and you, and … .’ She glanced up. ‘Mungo, of course, I’m sure you’d both enjoy it.’