I put the phone down and open the laptop. Pulling out the log-in details which Vic gave to me at the beginning of all this, I click the email icon and Greg’s emails come up instantly. And there it is, staring back at me from the screen. The booking confirmation from the rent-a-cottage website.
FROM: rentacottage.com
TO: greg76@gmail.com
SUBJECT: Booking confirmationGreg
Thank you for booking the holiday cottage with rentacottage.com. We hope you enjoy your stay. Check in is from 3 p.m. daily and you can collect your key from the main reception at the front entrance to the holiday park.
You will be staying in cottage 35 which is in plot 3. It stands on its own at the back of the plot so it has the added advantage of extra privacy. We have attached a map of the park for you to browse at your convenience. You do not have to pay in full until you have checked out.
Sincerely,
Tanya Broddick
Creiff Holiday Park Manager
Glenford Dunning
Crieff
Scotland
PH8 2ZX
I smile as I take a photograph of the email and set it to unread in the email inbox. I shut down the computer and shake my head.
‘Vic, why is it that all the men you choose have no brain cells between them? I mean, Matt made it so easy for me to make his death look like suicide. Now, Greg has led me right to his and Beth’s cosy little getaway. Well, I tell you something, he isn’t getting away with this. He isn’t just messing with you now, he’s messing with me. Beth is mine now. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is. With Greg out of the picture, Beth will be free to be with me and you can carry on with your life without having to rely on me to fix your problems.’
I look down at Vic, who is still asleep on the sofa. It doesn’t look like she is going to wake up anytime soon. She said she didn’t want to do anything about Greg and Beth. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t.
Looks like I’m off on a little adventure.
I reach the entrance to the holiday park and I watch Greg and Beth enter the reception. I already know that they’re going to be staying in cottage 35, so I jump the barrier and decide to make my way on ahead of them.
I pass by several cottages, people loading and unloading cars, dog walkers and couples walking hand in hand. I try not to think of the things I’ve done to Beth. The re-enactments of what Lawrence had put her through, making her think she was going crazy and that he was back and watching her. I had to do those things in order to bring her closer to me. I had to make her see that I can protect her, make her feel safe. Unlike Greg, who doesn’t even respect, let alone keep her safe. She’s just a piece of meat to him. All women are. He’s of the same breed as Matt was.
I take in the numbers on each of the cottages and count along. I spot number 35 and smile. Stood on its own at the back of plot 3, just like Tanya Broddick said. Perfect. No one to hear what will unfold inside.
I walk around the cottage and notice that the cleaner is leaving, gathering up his products and equipment and loading it on to a trolley which is positioned on the path. As he makes his way down the path and loads a mop and bucket along with a hoover onto the trolley, I slip inside the open doorway.
I hide in the bathroom, behind the shower curtain and hold my breath until I hear the front door click closed and the locks secured.
I exhale and smile.
I’m in.