Present day
Heidi looks back over her shoulder and watches Danny drag Rachel towards the woods. Satisfied that he’s got control of the situation, she hurries to the car. She can’t help glancing up at the spare room window as she passes the farmhouse, where a chink of light slides under the blind. Lara was fast asleep when they arrived, after Heidi had slipped a sleeping tablet into her milk, and Danny carried her up into the bedroom. Heidi was uncomfortable with the idea of locking her in the room, but he insisted it was the safest option. She wouldn’t come to any harm, and they didn’t want her interrupting proceedings while they were in the woods.
Heidi feels energised after having lost it with Rachel. Putting into words the resentments that have built up over the past seven years was a cathartic experience. The sooner they get this over with, the better. She opens the boot and extracts the spade, placing it on the ground before slamming the boot shut. As she turns round, she screams at the sight of a man in front of her. He puts his hand over her mouth.
‘Be quiet. I won’t hurt you.’
He looks familiar, and Heidi’s mind is racing as she tries to place him. Tom, something to do with Tom, and then she recognises him as Freddie, Tom’s business partner.
‘Let me go.’ She wriggles, and he removes his hand from her mouth but puts his foot on the spade.
‘Where’s Rachel?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Yes you do. I know she’s here because I followed her.’
Heidi hesitates.
‘Heidi.’ Danny’s voice rings out like a shot in the darkness. ‘Hurry up.’
‘Who’s that?’ Freddie asks.
Heidi doesn’t say anything. Freddie picks up the spade and points it at her face. ‘Take me to him. I want to know where you’re going with this spade and what you plan to do with it.’
‘Stay out of this, you don’t want to get involved.’
‘It’s too late for that. I care about Rachel and Lara. Besides, I’ve called the police and they’re on their way. You can put a stop to this before they get here. I knew Rachel was walking into a trap, and I’ve been warning her against you. People don’t change, not fundamentally. I saw how you got your claws into Tom and refused to let go, I just wish he’d listened to me. Now move.’
Heidi has no choice but to lead him to Danny. She doubts Freddie will be a match for him.