THIRTY-NINE

You’re a very naughty girl.’ The woman stood over Sofie with an admonishing expression.

Sofie’s entire body shivered. ‘Sorry,’ she whispered.

The man’s fingers twisted through her hair, forced her head back. ‘Who else did you call?’ he demanded. His breath was wet and warm against her face and reeked of cigarettes.

‘N–nobody.’

‘She didn’t know how to dial overseas,’ the woman said. ‘Didn’t even know the country code, did you?’ She laughed mockingly. ‘Daddy had to ring her.’

Sofie whimpered.

Please, Tom. Please, Jay, come and save me.

‘The McCaulay woman’s on her way. I don’t know if she’ll be alone or not.’

‘Should we move?’

‘No. I’ll go and keep a watch. If she brings people with her, we can be away in minutes.’ Her rich chuckle echoed through the empty room. ‘But if she’s alone . . . Now, wouldn’t that be nice? We’d have two girls to play with. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Tivon?’

Twisting her hair, the man forced Sofie’s face to his. He licked her cheek. Sofie cried out, trying to break free of his grip, but he held her fast.

‘Yes,’ he murmured. ‘I’d like that.’

Sobs erupted from her throat. Tears poured down her face.

The man released her hair. ‘Later,’ he whispered. ‘We’ll have fun later.’

They walked out of the room, their footsteps brisk on the stones. Eventually they faded, were gone.

Why hadn’t she listened to Tom? He’d told her not to go outside! She was so stupid!

Sofie curled on to her side, sobbing.

Jay was walking into a trap.

They were both going to die.

And it was all her fault.