Epilogue

What a let-down. All that planning and you’re still alive. I thought the cold would get you, if nothing else did. I watched for a while, from the cliff-top. Bit risky, but there was no one around. I got bored in the end. I was sure you were already dead.

I didn’t know your brother had it in him. That was a shock. I really thought he was going to ask me to marry him. It shook me a bit, if I’m honest.

Good job I covered my tracks. I’ve had plenty of years of training.

No point dwelling. The thing is, I realised afterwards, when I’d talked my way out of it all – not sure PC Fellowes was convinced, but there’s not much he can do about it – I had FUN. A lot of fun, actually.

I won’t be back. I’ve made new plans.

Hearing how your brother saved your life made me think about Uncle Jack. How he could have done so much more for my mum. He was her big brother. He should have protected her, helped her. Instead, he went to New Zealand and left her to die.

I’ve applied to join the police force over there, in Auckland. That’s where he lives with his perfect wife, Sarah. I’ve dug up some dirt on dear old Uncle Jack. He’s not the pillar of the community everyone thinks he is, and far from the perfect husband. Yet he’s alive and my mum is dead. How is that fair?

I’m going to ruin his life.

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