Chapter Twenty-Seven

‘Jonathan’s.’ Ryan indicated the car, already parked on the opposite side of the lock to the cottage.

‘I gathered.’ David pulled up alongside it, trying to work out what the best course of action might be. The man might be guilty of no more than fraud, as if that wasn’t bad enough. Was he really desperate enough to want to silence an old woman, though? Yes. David reminded himself of another old woman Eden had left lying on her doorstep. How desperate would he be now the police were involved was the worrying question.

Tugging in a breath, David looked towards the dark expanse of murky, green water in the locks. Wide-beam locks, allowing access to the River Severn. David wasn’t much into boating but he was au fait enough with the area to remember these were two of the deepest locks in the country, twenty feet or so wide, ninety odd feet long and at least eighteen feet deep. Beyond them, the river. In flood, fast-flowing and deadly.

Perfect conditions for Eden to claim some kind of tragic accident, David realised, trepidation growing inside him. ‘Let’s go and make sure they get back across safely, hey?’ Giving Ryan an encouraging smile, he reached to grab his torch from the glove compartment, indicating Jake with an incline of his head as he did.

Ryan got the drift. ‘Jake,’ he said, twisting to face him, ‘you need to be our lookout.’

‘Aw,’ Jake was already half out his door, ‘but I want to come.’

‘Seriously, Jake,’ Ryan locked eyes on his, ‘we need someone to stay here, in case they come back. If they do, you need to text us, like, immediately, particularly if anyone is looking stressed or upset. You with me?’

‘Ah, right. Got you.’ Jake nodded and settled back in his seat.

Thankfully, thought David. His son near the water in these conditions was the last thing he wanted.

‘And keep the doors locked, Jake, okay?’ David instructed him as he and Ryan climbed out.

‘Yup,’ Jake nodded, dropping the central locking as David closed the door.

‘Cheers, Ryan,’ David said as they headed for the footbridge, one of those white, metallic things that moved underfoot, and which he wasn’t really comfortable with, but at least it was better than walking over the actual lock gates. Heights, he thought it better not to mention to Ryan, were never really his thing.

‘No probs,’ Ryan said, over his shoulder. ‘Oh, and in case I forget to mention it, you’re all right, too. Looking out for my mum and stuff,’ he added, with a nonchalant shrug.

‘My pleasure,’ David assured him, his eyes on his feet as the bridge bounced underneath him.

‘Do you like her?’ Ryan asked out of the blue as they hit the path.

David dragged his hand through his hair. ‘And some,’ he admitted, realising it must have been pretty obvious to everyone, Sally included, probably even before he knew it himself.

‘Okay. Well, just so you know, I’m cool with it,’ Ryan said, blowing out a steamy breath and nodding them on.

David wasn’t sure Andrea was actually cool with it. ‘Cheers, Ryan,’ he said with a smile, assuming that was definitely some kind of approval.

‘Wait.’ David caught Ryan’s arm a yard or so on. Ryan followed his gaze, his relief palpable, as he, too, spotted the yellow beam of an oncoming torchlight.

‘Is it them, do you think?’ David asked.

‘Not sure,’ Ryan squinted into the darkness, and then laughed as Sophie’s unmistakeable tones drifted towards them.

‘Yeah, right. Cheers, Sophe,’ she grumbled loudly to herself, ‘we’re really, really grateful. Of course we’ll buy you some new trainers to replace the ones you’ve totally ruined looking out for your little sister and your gran.’

‘Sophie, I’m grateful. We both are,’ Andrea assured her. ‘I’ll buy you two pairs of—’

‘I don’t need looking out for,’ Dee’s voice cut across her. ‘It’s him you should be looking out for.’

‘Do you think we could have a little less chat and concentrate on getting back?’ Jonathan asked irritably.

Ryan shook his head. ‘Yep, definitely them, I’d say.’

And from the fairly normal tone of the conversation it seemed that everybody, including Chloe, was accounted for. David breathed a sigh of relief. He would have a word with the guy. He’d already decided to do that, when he could get him on his own out of earshot of Andrea – and anyone else, a forceful word being what David had in mind. For now though, he just wanted to make sure Andrea and her family got back home safely.

‘Having a strop again, I see, Sophe,’ Ryan said as the group approached, Sophie heading it. ‘What’s up? The damp weather wilted your spikes?’

‘Oh, ha-di-ha-ha. Shut it, dipstick,’ Sophie imparted. ‘And stop shining that bloody light in my face. Mum, tell him.’

Ryan squinted at her askew, then down to his torch, which was aimed at the ground.

‘Act normal,’ Sophie whispered as he glanced back at her. ‘Don’t let Jonathan take her,’ she added quickly.

‘Shit.’ Ryan exchanged meaningful glances with David.

Worriedly, David looked past Sophie to where Dee, followed by Andrea and Jonathan, approached, Jonathan holding onto Chloe, he noted. Surely he wouldn’t try anything here, though, would he? Was he seriously thinking of absconding with his own daughter?

‘David?’ Andrea paused in front of him.

‘Hi.’ David smiled, his gaze on Jonathan, who, as David suspected he might be, seemed reluctant to stop. ‘Ryan needed a lift, so I thought I’d help.’

‘Excuse us,’ Jonathan said, skirting around them. ‘I think my daughter’s had enough fresh air for one night.’

‘Davie,’ Chloe said, stretching her arms out to him as they passed. ‘Want Davie.’ She flexed her little fingers, determinedly.

‘You can’t, baby. Mummy’s got him,’ Jonathan said, pointedly. ‘Let’s get in Daddy’s car, shall we, where it’s nice and warm.’

David twirled around, watching his progress, noting Sophie and Ryan already on the bridge ahead of him.

‘I’ll take her,’ Ryan said, taking a step towards Jonathan. ‘I’ve got a new app on my phone I want to show her.’

‘You can show her later. She’s tired.’ Jonathan held Chloe just that little bit tighter.

He was, David realised, half-disbelieving. The bastard really was going to … Uh, uh. ‘Eden!’ he shouted, causing Jonathan’s step to falter.

David moved towards him. ‘Let Ryan have Chloe, okay?’

Jonathan turned back. ‘Or what?’ he asked, eyeing him narrowly.

‘Or so help me—’ David dragged his hand through his hair.

‘David?’ Andrea caught his arm. ‘What on earth …?’

David glanced at her, taking his gaze off Jonathan for a second, and Jonathan took his chance.

‘Shit!’ David started after him as Jonathan pushed past Ryan, and then shoved Sophie aside, hard.

‘Bastard,’ David uttered, slowing as Sophie hit the ground, winded.

‘Go!’ Sophie gasped as he instinctively stopped to check on her. ‘David, go!’

‘Sophie!’ Andrea was close behind him.

David locked eyes with her for an instant as she crouched down to Sophie, then, noting the fear in hers, he straightened up and bolted after Eden, only to grind to a halt the other side of the bridge. Standing by Jonathan’s driver’s side door, his arms folded and a defiant look on his face was Jake; by the passenger door stood an equally determined Dee.

It looked like the only way Eden was going to gain access to that car, was through them, and if he laid even one finger on his son … David’s jaw tensed.

‘Don’t do it, Jonathan,’ he grated, taking a cautious step towards him.

Breathing deeply, Jonathan dragged a hand shakily across his mouth. ‘Come on, baby,’ he said to Chloe, still firm in his hold, but tearful, David could see, kneading her eyes, probably wondering what the hell was going on.

‘Want Mummy,’ Chloe whimpered.

‘It’s okay, baby,’ Jonathan tried to reassure her. ‘We’ll go and get some sweeties and then we’ll go somewhere fun, okay?’

‘Home,’ Chloe said, looking at him uncertainly.

‘Home, it is,’ Jonathan said tightly, turning to set off on foot, only to find Ryan blocking his way.

‘Jonathan …’ David took another step towards him.

‘Oh, Jonathan is it now?’ Jonathan sneered, turning back.

‘Look, Jonathan, you don’t really want to do this, do you?’

‘What? Put my own daughter in my own car. As it happens, I do. Now why don’t you do us all a favour and fuck off and mind your own business, David.’

‘David? What’s going on?’ Andrea said worriedly behind him.

Keeping his eyes on Jonathan, David extended an arm, gesturing her to stay back.

‘David? What’s going on?’ Jonathan mimicked in soppy tones. ‘You really do think he’s something special, don’t you?’ Looking David over, he shook his head disdainfully. ‘Good with his hands, is he, Andrea, our family GP? Thorough, I bet, hey, Andrea? Is that what the attraction is?’

‘Jonathan, stop!’ Andrea moved towards him, only to be blocked again by David.

‘You know something, Andrea.’ Jonathan’s gaze travelled contemptuously over her. ‘I thought I cared that you were ready to drop your knickers the minute he clicked his fingers, but I don’t. If you’re so impressed by his credentials you want to shack up with him, you’re welcome, but there is no way you’re moving my daughter in with another man. Got it? Now, get out of my way. All of you.’

‘Mum-meee!’ Chloe cried in earnest now, squirming in his arms, making Jonathan’s hold on her precarious.

‘She doesn’t want to go with you, Jonathan!’ David shouted, frustrated and terrified, because Chloe was terrified, and he had no idea what to do. ‘You’re yards away from that water. Do you really want to take another risk with your daughter’s life?’

Jonathan debated – for a millisecond – then, apparently willing to take that risk, he walked on, to the side of David, towards the lock gates.

Shit. David’s heart skidded to a stop in his chest. He was going across. ‘Eden, don’t!’ Instinctively, David lunged towards him.

‘Back off!’ Jonathan spat, spinning around to face him. ‘You’ve got my wife. You’re not having my daughter, Adams, so just back off. Now!’

David stopped dead, his fear escalating. Wife? The man was bloody well losing it.

‘If you don’t …’ Jonathan said, his breathing erratic, his face taut and white. He took another step sideways, another step towards the lock, and nodded meaningfully … towards the water.

What? Fuck, no! David dragged his hand over his face. ‘Okay. Okay,’ he said, pulling in a tight breath. ‘If you want to cross, go. I won’t stand in your way. But take the bridge, not the gates.’

Jonathan looked at him, looked past him to the bridge. He’d have to go around him, past Andrea. David could see the deliberation in the guy’s eyes. He wasn’t going to go for it. ‘We’ll back off, I promise,’ he tried, desperately trying to keep him engaged. Keep him talking. ‘Andrea?’ he said behind him, hoping she’d realise they had no choice but to give him some space.

Jonathan looked at him again, a mixture of panic and pure loathing, and then he moved. Sideways. Fast. In two strides he was on the gate, endless depths of muddy lock water behind him, icy river water swirling treacherously in front of him: the twenty foot drop in between having any number of fall-breaking, bone-crushing obstructions.

Dear God, don’t let him do this. David’s gut twisted inside him.

Chloe was screaming.

‘Chloe!’ Andrea screamed behind him.

His gaze flicking towards Ryan, who was shouting into his phone, David didn’t debate.

Jonathan was two, three yards along the gate, every faltering step taking that child towards possible death. Attempting to quell his rapidly rising panic, David stepped cautiously up after him. ‘Grab hold of the rail, Jonathan,’ he said quietly, seeing the man stumble forward another step and then seem to freeze where he stood. ‘Loose one hand away from her and take hold of the rail,’ he repeated it as Jonathan swayed, visibly. ‘Chloe, hold tight onto Daddy’s neck, baby. Can you do that?’

Jonathan held Chloe tighter. He didn’t take hold of the rail. His eyes fixed on the water, he didn’t look up.

‘You’re not taking her home, are you, Jonathan?’ David asked, working to keep his tone calm.

Jonathan dragged in a deep breath. He didn’t move.

David closed his eyes. ‘She’s cold,’ he said, after a second. She was. Shivering, violently, and hiccupping now, rather than sobbing, her little body jolting in his arms with each cough. David edged carefully closer. ‘Pass her to me, why don’t you?’

That got his attention. Jonathan snapped his gaze up.

‘She trusts you, Jonathan. You’re her dad. Don’t let her down.’

He was wavering; and still swaying. David swallowed back a sick taste in his throat. ‘Pass her back to me, hey? You need to go, but you won’t get far with a toddler in tow, Jonathan. She’ll need feeding, changing. She’ll need her mother.’

‘She’s my daughter,’ lowering his face towards Chloe, Jonathan finally spoke. ‘My daughter.’ He looked back to David, his distress palpable, petrifying.

‘I know she is. I know you love her.’ David risked another step towards him.

Shit! He cursed silently as Jonathan dropped his gaze back to the water. ‘I know you didn’t mean her any harm, Jonathan. But you’ll bloody well harm her now if you do this. She wouldn’t stand a chance, Jonathan. You know she wouldn’t.’

‘Jonathan, please,’ Andrea begged wretchedly from the bank.

‘I thought they were out.’ Jonathan brought his gaze sharply back up, looking towards her. ‘You said they’d all be out! I would never have hurt them. Never!’ He looked between Andrea and David, his voice frantic. ‘It wasn’t supposed to take hold. The damage was supposed to be minor. I didn’t mean for anyone to be trapped. I just needed some breathing space. Some time, that’s all. An injection of cash to pay back Eva’s money.’

‘Told you so, didn’t I?’ Dee said, a triumphant edge to her tone.

‘It got out of hand. I tried to … I didn’t mean …’ Clutching Chloe closer to him, Jonathan trailed off on a sob.

‘They know, Jonathan,’ David tried, desperation in his own voice. ‘They know you wouldn’t deliberately hurt them.’

‘I saw them,’ Jonathan admitted, turning back to Andrea.

‘Saw who?’ Andrea pleaded. ‘Jonathan, you’re—’

‘I was there. I saw them. I saw him …’ He nodded towards David. ‘… bringing the kids out. Carrying my baby into his house.’

Jonathan stopped, the rush of the water seeming to grow louder against the silence punctuated by the frightened whimpers of a child. ‘I can understand what you see in him,’ Jonathan went on, with a short, throaty laugh.

‘You’re scaring Chloe,’ Andrea tried tremulously. ‘Please, Jonathan, don’t—’

‘Whereas me … I just stood there. Watching. Too petrified to do anything. Too ashamed to even come back.’

‘Come back now, Jonathan,’ Andrea asked him, her voice catching. ‘Please.’

‘What’s the point?’ Jonathan sounded hopeless, defeated. ‘There isn’t any, is there? Not now. I could have killed them. I—’

‘They’re all fine!’ David shouted urgently, seeing Jonathan reel dangerously forwards. ‘But Chloe isn’t fine, Jonathan,’ he pointed out, tempering his tone, moving slowly towards him. ‘Hand her to me, yes? Keep her safe.’

Jonathan choked out another sob. ‘God!’ He glanced heavenwards, then nestling his face close to Chloe’s, he pulled her to him. ‘Bye, baby.’ He pressed a kiss on her cheek – and David stopped breathing. For a split second, it seemed as if the world had stopped turning.

‘Daddy will bring you some sweeties, okay?’ Jonathan said, and then he turned – and passed her to David.

It took two seconds to swing Chloe around into Andrea’s waiting arms.

It was one second too long.

‘Shit!’ The gates shuddering under his feet told David the man had gone over. Riverside. Gone under. Fuck! David stumbled forward, slipped, scraped his ankle, tried to right himself; to block out the noise behind him. Sirens wailing, way too loud in his head, his own heart thundering. Fuck!

‘Jonathan!’ Andrea screamed as David scrambled shakily from his knees to his feet.

Scouring the swirling black depths beneath him, he was aware of the squad cars screeching to a halt in his peripheral vision. They’d be too late. Much too late. Eden had obviously gone under. ‘Where the bloody hell is he?’

‘There!’ Jake’s voice. David’s gaze shot towards him, and his stomach turned over. He was too close to the edge. Way too close to the edge. ‘Get back! Jake, go back!’

‘I’ve got him,’ Ryan yelled, wrapping an arm around Jake and yanking him backwards as David’s instincts drove him to protect his son. ‘He’s there!’ Ryan pointed, halting him in his tracks. ‘Jonathan, he’s up.’

Whirling back round, David saw him. Head and flailing hands only, he was spluttering water, swallowing lungfuls of the stuff back. He wasn’t swimming. Why wasn’t the stupid bastard—

‘He can’t swim!’ Andrea shouted. ‘Sophie, take Chloe.’

‘No, Mum. Don’t!’ Sophie was adamant. ‘You need to stay here.’

Dammit. He wasn’t going to make it. No way would he survive long enough for the emergency services to reach him in these temperatures. No way. His heart sinking, David watched as Eden went back under and then, closing his eyes, he sucked in a breath and … Please God, give me strength … moved purposefully towards the edge.

‘Dad!’ He heard Jake’s terrified cry as he went in, and prayed harder: that Ryan would keep a firm hold on him.

He was braced when he hit the water, but still the freezing temperature paralysed him. Move, David instructed himself, his whole body immediately juddering from the inside out. Minutes he’d got. No, more like seconds, before swimming, let alone climbing out would become impossible. Hypothermia would soon start to set in. His blood pressure and heart rate would be increasing. His body would be constricting surface blood vessels – he mentally ran through the symptoms – conserving heat for his vital organs, making him sluggish. Hard to move. Calling on all his energy, David turned in the direction Eden had gone under and swam.

A yard or so covered against the tide, his muscles were already tensing. He was shivering, his core temperature already dropping. Eden’s would be way down.

Treading water, blinking the rank stuff out of his eyes and spitting it out of his mouth, David scanned the surface. Where the hell was he? There! Floating. Facedown. Arms splayed. Shit. Move! He’d be unconscious. Dead if he didn’t reach him. Swim, for fuck’s sake.

Not dead. Deadweight. Clothes. Too heavy. Dammit. His thought processes were slowing down. Couldn’t … think. Dragging in ice cold breaths that seemed to freeze in his throat, gasping them out, David finally reached Jonathan. No movement. Face still under the water. Turn him over, David’s brain urged him. His limbs were slow to obey.

‘Dad!’ He heard Jake again, his voice raw. The boy was terrified. ‘Swim!’

Seizing the man’s coat, David wrestled him over, then one arm supporting his head, he kicked back hard. His breathing was laboured, growing more difficult. Eden? Was he alive? David couldn’t tell. Keeping the man’s head above water, David spat out another mouthful. His limbs felt like lead weights. His clothes, dragging him down. Despite his best efforts, the current was taking him sideways.

Where was the bank?

Too far. No strength left.

‘Dad, swim!’ Jake’s voice, hysterical, desperate.

Hold onto him, Ryan. Hold on.

Gates. David blinked hard, turned, and went under. Spluttering out the foul tasting water, he surfaced, and focussed.

‘Dad, this way. You can do it. Swim, Dad!’

Gates. David willed himself on. Jake … please give me strength.