The Girl Who Lied(114)

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. Your sister needs you.’

‘Sophie needs me too and if she’s with Roisin, I want to be there when you find them.’

Kerry could see the determined look on Erin’s face. He wasn’t particularly surprised and had, in fact, brought a spare crash helmet with him in anticipation of this decision. ‘Okay, let’s go.’

Kerry started the Triumph and waited for Erin to swing her leg over the seat and get comfortable. He loved the feel of her arms around him and liked the fact that she wasn’t confident enough yet to hold onto the back of the seat. ‘Ready?’ he shouted above the rumble of the 750cc engine. She gave him a squeeze and nodded.

The roads were quiet and Kerry steered the bike steadily through the village and out onto the coast road. They headed north and after fifteen minutes the landmark he was heading for came into sight. Kerry pulled up at the bottom of the hill underneath a line of trees.

‘The croft?’ said Erin, climbing off the bike.

‘You know when we were here the other day and we saw the old sleeping bag?’

‘You think that’s Roisin?’

‘I’m almost certain. You thought we were being watched, remember?’

‘Oh God, yes.’

‘It adds up. It’s a safe dry place for her to hide out. No one comes up here any more and if they do, she’s got a clear view of them and time to hide.’

‘She’ll see us come up, though.’

‘Not if we go round the other side. That’s why I’ve parked up here out of the way. We can’t be seen from the road and she can’t see this part of the road from there,’ said Kerry. ‘We can use the hedgerow as cover to get round.’

Kerry led the way, keeping close to the hedge, and within five minutes they were on the north side of the hill. The trees and bushes were denser and the path overgrown in places. No other roads or footpaths approached the derelict house from the north side. The track they had just followed was essentially a loop around the foot of the hill.

‘So what now?’ said Erin, as she looked up at the old stone building.

‘As quietly as we can, we go up the hill. Keep as low as you can.’

‘And when we get to the top?’

‘Take her by surprise. Hope she’s in the croft. If not, we’ll go inside and wait for her.’

‘You’re making it sound very simple.’

‘It is,’ said Kerry. ‘In theory.’

The scramble up the side of the hill was tougher than Kerry anticipated, but the long grass gave them something to grab onto and the rough terrain, pot-holed with rabbit burrows, gave them extra leverage. As they got nearer the top, the incline was steeper. Kerry looked over his shoulder to check Erin was okay. She was right behind him, a little out of breath, but she was managing fine.

When they got to the top, Kerry peered over the brow, scanning the area in front of him. The wind had picked up and a dark rain cloud was heading inland from the stormy-looking sea. Erin scrambled up next to him.

‘I can’t see anyone,’ said Kerry in a whisper. ‘Come on.’

As light-footed as he could with his heavy boots on, he scurried over to the derelict building. The buckle on his leather jacket jangled and he held it in his hand to stop the noise. Erin, much lighter on her feet, was soundless as she darted over with him. From his inside pocket, Kerry took out a torch he’d had the foresight to bring.

It felt slightly ridiculous creeping around the wall of the building, like some SAS assault team. As they got to the entrance, Kerry switched on the light. He gave Erin a questioning look and mouthed ‘ready’ to her. She nodded. He swung around into the entrance of the croft.

‘Roisin?’ he said. ‘Are you there? It’s me, Kerry. And Erin.’

The beam of the torch illuminated the interior of the building. The black rain cloud was moving in on them, limiting the natural light. ‘Roisin. Are you there?’ he said again.

Stepping inside, Kerry noted that the sleeping bag was still there, although this time it was folded up on top of an old milk crate. He walked over and behind the crate was a sports holdall. Erin looked over his shoulder as he unzipped the bag and, without taking anything out, examined the contents.

‘Looks like female clothing, judging by the pink t-shirt and that pair of socks,’ said Erin. ‘And look here.’ She picked up a pair of trainers that were next to the bag. ‘These are definitely women’s trainers.’

‘Okay, I think it’s safe to say that it probably is Roisin here,’ said Kerry.

‘What about Sophie?’ said Erin. ‘Let’s have a look around.’