Tuesday 6 May
I’m still half awake at 2 a.m. Shadow appeared a while back, howling outside the French windows; now he’s curled up by my feet on Hayle’s sofa, clearly hoping for a good night’s sleep. It’s lucky I’m not superstitious. The downs look ghost-ridden tonight, the land rinsed by starlight. It’s still so calm out there; the landscape appears to be holding its breath. Hayles’s determination to protect his view enters my mind, along with his belief that Maeve and Danny were building their activity centre out of spite.
I’ve only just fallen asleep when Shadow releases a whine and my eyes snap open. The dog is pleading to be let out. When I stumble to my feet, he puts his head back and howls at top volume.
‘What now, for God’s sake?’
Shadow streaks outside when I open the French windows, making my eyes strain to see where he’s going. There’s a light flickering at the cliff edge below, and instinct makes me grab my torch. I need to get there before it vanishes. I’m running so fast I almost trip over a rabbit hole, but manage to stay upright. The figure at the cliff edge is white-faced and dishevelled, wild eyes staring back at me. I can’t guess why Danny Trenwith is out here in the middle of the night. Shadow is standing at his side, blocking his path to the cliff edge.
‘What are you doing here?’ I call out. The man’s face is expressionless, like a sleepwalker. ‘Come away from the cliff.’ Adrenaline rushes through me when he takes a step backwards, almost overbalancing.
‘I was taking a walk,’ he says. ‘I need time alone.’
‘It’s the middle of the night, Danny. You should be at home.’
Instinct tells me to grab his arm and drag him back to safety, but it could make matters worse. If he’s set to jump, one wrong move might send him plummeting.
‘Come this way, please, so we can talk.’
Shadow is still blocking his path, trying to shepherd him back to safety.
‘Did you have a fight with Maeve?’
Trenwith makes a sudden movement, trying to dodge past the dog, so I lunge forward. My head spins as the rocks below loom up to greet us, their jagged edges bleached by moonlight. My feet are slipping as I grab his wrist and haul him onto safe terrain.
‘Good work,’ I mutter to Shadow. The creature’s nose for danger works overtime at night, like it’s his job to safeguard the whole island.
Danny remains silent when I lead him to a boulder to sit down. I’m so concerned about his state of mind, I keep my hand on his shoulder in case he makes another run towards the cliff edge.
‘Nothing will change,’ he whispers. ‘There’s no point in talking.’
‘Is this about the build?’
‘Others are in the same boat as me.’ His voice is sing-song, like he’s reading a poem to a child.
‘You’re speaking in riddles, Danny.’
‘Maeve can’t help me now. We’re past that stage.’
‘You’re worried about your marriage?’
‘I thought we could sort this mess out together, but I was wrong.’
‘You’re not making sense. Let’s get you home. Things will look better in the morning.’
He shakes his head vehemently. ‘Maeve ought to move on; we were just kids when we fell in love. She’s outgrown me.’
‘Is she having an affair? Is that it?’
‘Stop interrogating me, for fuck’s sake.’
‘Let’s go, Danny. Maeve’s waiting for you at home.’
He jumps to his feet, his movements jerky. ‘I can’t face her, Ben. I’m staying here.’
‘Walk with me to the pub then; they’ll find you a room for the night. Do you realise you almost fell to your death?’
Fresh tears leak from his eyes, but he doesn’t reply.
‘Talk to someone if you feel that bad again. Ring the Samaritans, or a friend, or me. There’s plenty of support here if you hit rock bottom.’
Danny’s gaze is so glassy, he seems beyond reach.
It doesn’t take long to escort him to the pub, where Billy and Maggie answer my knock in their dressing gowns. Neither of them complain when I lead Danny inside. He looks frail, and Maggie is already offering him a hot drink as I say goodnight. I can’t leave Louis Hayle’s body unattended any longer. Shadow remains outside the pub even when I whistle; maybe I should be grateful he’s guarding Danny, in case he runs back to the cliff.
The man’s actions have left me shaken. No matter how bleak my life’s felt at times, I’ve never been suicidal. It takes a big imaginative leap to empathise with his mindset as I trudge back up Badplace Hill, where the porch light is still shining outside Hayle’s property. It seems too coincidental that Danny wanted to end his life so soon after his old mentor’s murder, but questions won’t reach him tonight. I feel sure he’s only a danger to himself. He’s spent so many years in his wife’s shadow, maybe he’s forgotten that his own life has value. I send Maeve a text, telling her he’s safe and advising her not to disturb him until morning, so he can rest in a neutral environment.
Trenwith’s desperation is still rattling around my head as I check the entrance to Hayle’s property, where his body still lies prone at the bottom of the stairs, arms flung wide like he’s expecting an embrace.
‘Why you?’ I mutter under my breath.
The house is so quiet I can hear myself exhale. I’m too wound up to sleep, so I watch the eastern skyline turning pink as I wait for backup to arrive.