The sign says Public Footpath. As Rachel unlatches the gate, a loud creak startles her. She waits until she has composed herself, and walks ahead. Another sign appears as she follows the path round to the left: Blackberry Farm. An arrow indicates a left turning. The wind is blowing through the trees and the damp seeps through her thin jacket. She follows the path until she sees a building take shape ahead. It is in darkness and looks too small to be a farm; it’s more like a barn from what she can make out. A loud cracking sound makes her whip round: a twig under her foot. She can see the white gate looming in the dark.
It suddenly hits her that she’s alone with no idea what she’s heading into. She runs back to the car and opens the boot. Her gym bag is stored there, and she takes out one of the weights she uses when she exercises in the park. She empties everything else out, puts the weight back in the drawstring bag and tests it on her shoulder. Not too heavy, but heavy enough. At least she won’t feel so exposed. She closes the boot softly, even though there is nobody else around, goes back through the gate and follows the path signposted to the cottage. As she nears the building, she sees that it is indeed a barn, or some kind of outbuilding. She walks around to the front of it and comes to a halt. A car is parked here, lights off. A white Fiat 500. Heidi’s car.
She gasps out loud. So Heidi is behind all this. The realisation gives her a shot of confidence. Heidi wouldn’t harm Lara, she’s sure of it. And Rachel can get the better of her. She’s a lioness, fighting for her cub. She grips the bag for strength to remind her she has a weapon, and looks towards the farmhouse that she can now see across from the barn. But as she does so, she becomes aware of a light shining out from the barn door, which is ajar. She hesitates – should she go to the farmhouse first? If only she knew where Lara was. Deciding that she’s far more likely to be in the barn, she steps towards the open door, pulling the bag to her, slackening her shoulder so it doesn’t look as if she’s carrying anything heavy.
Outside the door, though, she hesitates. Should she text Freddie, let him know where she is? She slinks round to the side of the barn and types two words: Blackberry Farm.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’
Heidi’s voice cuts through the darkness, and Rachel lets out a cry.
‘OK, OK, I won’t, I promise.’ She sounds manic, trying to get the words out. She drops the phone into her pocket without pressing send and forces herself to calm down, changing the tone of her voice to sound firm. Heidi has her hands on her hips. She’s dressed in jeans and a black hoodie top. She looks slight, insubstantial.
‘What are you playing at, Heidi?’
‘I just want to talk to you.’
Rachel laughs. ‘And you thought you’d scare me out of my wits by luring me out here. Where’s Lara? That’s all that matters.’
‘Lara is safe.’
‘Let me see her.’
‘She’s in here.’
Heidi’s feet crunch across the stony ground and Rachel follows her, eager to see her daughter, still conscious of the weight of the bag at her side. Heidi pushes the door open to reveal piles of old petrol cans, bits of wood and various items of broken furniture. Rachel’s pulse is racing at the thought of seeing Lara; she just needs to know she’s unhurt and not traumatised.
Inside the barn, she swivels around. She can see immediately that Lara isn’t in there, and a trickle of fear creeps down her spine.
‘Where is she, Heidi? What’s going on?’ As she speaks, she slides the bag from her shoulder, gripping it in her fist.
‘She’s safe, I promise you. You’ll see her very soon, but first we need to talk.’
‘Talk? We’ve been talking for the past couple of weeks. You tricked me into letting you into my house, getting close to my children. Why couldn’t you say whatever it is you need to get off your chest then? This is madness. You’re scaring me.’ She’s holding the weight in an uncomfortable position but tries not to wriggle.
Heidi has a wild look in her eyes, but as Rachel watches, her expression changes and she moves her attention to something behind her. Rachel turns to see a man standing there, and the trickle of fear turns into a wave. She’s walked into a trap, and she still has no idea where Lara is.