‘What happened next?’ I dared to ask as we followed the track between the scattered ruins of Eylesbarrow Mine. I had been telling Daniel about my as yet fruitless search for my father and then I had broached the subject of his book again.
‘After I’d been hung out to fry in the sun, you mean?’
I winced, both at the vision it conjured up in my brain and the searing bitterness in Daniel’s tone. ‘Yes,’ I answered simply.
He gave a sardonic shrug. ‘Nothing much. I’d learnt my lesson and I obeyed every damned order I was given after that. And if I saw any brutality being meted out, I ignored it. I felt like a traitor. But I’d been interrogated once and punished twice, and that was bloody well enough for anyone!’
His voice had risen to an impassioned crescendo, and when I glanced up at him, his jaw was set and I cursed myself for asking. The ensuing silence was taut, but after we had gone another few hundred yards and turned down into Drizzlecombe towards its stone rows, Daniel seemed to have calmed down somewhat.
‘I got through that second winter in the camp by dreaming of here,’ he volunteered, waving his hand vaguely around us. ‘But with no contact beyond the barbed wire, I felt lost and forgotten. And then in the spring, I went down with dysentery. We all had bouts of diarrhoea and various fevers, but until then I’d never had anything really serious. But when I got full-blown dysentery… I tell you, Lily, you want to die. I can’t tell you how absolutely bloody awful you feel. You need the lavvy every few minutes, and your insides get so raw and start to… Well, you really don’t want to know the details. You get weaker and weaker, and the sooner you die from it, the better. Ironically, though, it was what saved me.’
I frowned as we paused by the massive standing stone where Edwin had once posed with arms outstretched to demonstrate just how colossal it was on the day we had discovered the dying rabbit. ‘How come?’ I asked.
‘Well, we knew nothing about the protracted negotiations, or that the Red Cross had been trying to get us released for months. The first we knew was when a convoy of Red Cross lorries suddenly arrived and the Chinks were releasing everyone who was sick. If I hadn’t been ill, I’d have stayed there until the end, I guess.’
‘Phew! You must have been relieved!’
He merely grunted. ‘That journey was absolute hell. Worse than anything else I’d been through. But we did have clean water and medicine. It wasn’t until the hospital in Hong Kong that I really began to feel better. They shipped us home as soon as they could, but I was still pretty weak when I arrived back in London. I only stayed a few days. Not even long enough to see Edwin. I just couldn’t face all that noise and… So I came back here.’
‘At least your story had a happy ending.’
I noticed him hesitate. ‘I’m hoping it might,’ he muttered.
My brow furrowed in bemusement. What did he mean by that? But before I could question him, he stopped dead and grabbed me by the arm.
‘My God, look!’
His eyes were narrowed keenly in the direction we were going and I, too, squinted ahead. We were walking alongside the stream that was the source of the River Plym. The ground was squelching and boggy, and it was one of the loneliest parts of the moor I knew. You would be unlikely to meet another living soul on a clear summer’s day, let alone on such a murky November afternoon. At first I couldn’t make anything out from the yellowy brown vegetation and the rocks scattered here and there, but then I caught movement and could see what Daniel was gazing at.
Some way up the valley was a man and he was chasing round after a group of sheep, changing direction and leaping after whichever one came nearer him in its desperation to escape. It struck me as odd. It wasn’t the way to herd sheep. I had been with the Colemans before when they were bringing in livestock, and you didn’t drive them like that. This man was no sheep farmer, so what was he doing trying to catch one of the petrified animals?
Fear tumbled down inside me.
‘That’s him, I’m sure it is,’ Daniel whispered urgently. ‘The chap I’ve seen before. Come on. We’ve got to catch the devil red-handed.’
He called Trojan to heel and started to walk stealthily forward. For a few seconds I was rooted to the spot. I don’t think I’d ever been so frightened and my whole body shook as I forced myself to follow in Daniel’s wake.
The fellow was so intent on the chase that he didn’t notice us until we were nearly on him. I could see by then that he was elderly, his face weather-beaten and lined a little like Barry Coleman’s. He had just succeeded in casting a net over one of the hapless sheep and was now straddling the poor creature. And then, just as he took it by one of its horns, lifting its head and exposing its neck, he drew out a large kitchen knife.
Oh, dear God. I heard Daniel shout and he catapulted forward at a run. Trojan shot ahead of him, streaking out like a flash of lightning. I caught my breath as the man looked up. Oh, no! What if he killed Trojan with the knife? Oh, please God, no!
My prayers were answered as the fellow let go of the sheep and fled up the narrow gully I knew as Evil Combe. Trojan chased after him, barking at his heels and nearly tripping him up.
‘Lily, free the sheep!’ Daniel yelled at me over his shoulder and sped on after them.
I stopped by the frantically struggling animal. I was so scared, transfixed, terrified at what was happening ahead of me, but the sheep was suffering and I knew I had to release it. I was wary of its horns, small though they were, and the hooves that were kicking wildly in the creature’s panic. And then I remembered that I had seen Barry straddle his livestock from behind and, my heart in my mouth, I did the same. The poor sheep was getting more tangled and I fought to hold it between my legs as I pulled its feet back through the mesh and finally pulled the net back over its head. One of its horns caught again, but an instant later, it wriggled free and scampered away, leaving me holding the net.
I stood for a second and gulped with relief. But it wasn’t over yet and I charged after Daniel. The man was moving quickly but was hampered by Trojan leaping joyfully around him thinking what a great game it was. Daniel was flying over the ground, rapidly gaining on them, and I was gripped with terror as to what would happen next. Then I saw Daniel launch himself around the villain’s waist in a rugby tackle and bring him down. I raced to catch up, panting and out of breath. The two men were grappling on the ground and I arrived just in time to see the other chap swing round, brandishing the knife. A second later, Daniel cried out and released his hold as the devil scrambled to his feet, still holding the knife aloft.
I froze. There was blood on the blade. Oh, Jesus Christ, what was he going to do now? I didn’t think. All I knew was that the man I loved had been attacked by a maniac and I wasn’t going to stand there and watch him being killed. I sprang up behind the villain before he realised I was there and threw the net over him. He cursed, struggling like a demon, and, without a thought, I leapt onto his back, tearing at his neck, scratching him, anything to bring him down. I felt the jolt as he crashed onto his knees, and realised with a sense of cold horror that the net had pinned his arms to his sides and in his crazed efforts to escape, the knife had fallen from his grasp.
‘Right, you bastard!’
I had never experienced such fear in my life, and neither had I ever been so relieved as I was to hear Daniel’s voice beside me.
‘Well done, Lily,’ he said grimly. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes, but what about you?’ I squeaked.
He barely flicked his gaze towards his arm. Blood was oozing through a rip in the sleeve of his jacket. I stared at it in horror, and then pushed the felon’s head back down as he tried to lift himself from the ground.
‘I’ll live,’ was Daniel’s rueful answer. ‘I’ll take him now. You get that knife well out of his reach and keep it for evidence. And then while I hold him, can you take off my belt? I’ll use it to tie up his hands. Now, you bloody bastard, we’ve got you in the end!’
Five minutes later, Daniel had the fellow trussed up like a chicken and was marching him up the combe to the track at the top. The man knew he was beaten. He said nothing but kept glaring at me with maddened eyes that sent shivers down my spine. I felt my blood curdle.
I knew it was nearly two miles back along the track. It seemed to take for ever. Every now and then, our prisoner made a token effort to run off, but Daniel shoved him forward, convincing him that he didn’t have a chance. Daniel’s face was like hewn stone and I saw him wince once or twice, but his fury seemed to be giving him strength.
At long last, we got back to the tarmac road and the spot near the bend where walkers sometimes parked their cars. On that miserable afternoon, there was but one vehicle, a large white van. As we came up to it, I noticed it must have been in a collision as it was scraped all along the nearside with a sizeable dent low down on the door.
‘Jesus Christ.’
Daniel stopped beside me, the colour draining from his face. He was staring, open-mouthed, appalled, at the van, and then his eyes opened like saucers.
‘It’s the van,’ his white lips mumbled. ‘It’s come back to me in a flash. This is the van that forced me off the road.’
I frowned, shaking my head. ‘No, Daniel. It was a lorry, remember?’
‘No!’ he cried adamantly. ‘It was this van! I can see it now! Perhaps the lorry I rambled on about was the one that found me. You know, the farmer. So…it was you, wasn’t it!’ he screamed, spinning the man round with such force he nearly stumbled. ‘You ran me off the road! You tried to kill me!’
‘Well, you young bugger!’ the fellow spat back. ‘You’d found us out, ’adn’t you? But you’ve no bloody idea, you ’aven’t! All they dead rabbits! Farmers ’ad to pay, like!’
Daniel’s face was savage as he shook the man like a rag doll. ‘What the hell do you mean?’ he demanded.
‘Not sayin’ nort more, me.’
‘Well, you can damned well tell the police instead! I hope they throw the book at you!’
How is it that in times of crisis you feel utterly drained and exhausted and yet every nerve is like a coiled spring, ready to snap into action? You can almost feel the blood coursing through your body, taut and alive, and yet lifeless and without energy. I had known it before, on the nights Ellen and Sidney had died, and when I had read the diary. I felt it now. I paced the drawing room at Fencott Place, too restless to settle and yet on the brink of collapse.
We had got the man back to the house, or at least Daniel had locked him in one of the old stables and kept guard while I went inside to telephone the police. It was a while before they arrived as they were sending a sergeant and three constables from Tavistock. Two of them took the culprit away and the other retrieved the van for examination while the sergeant took statements from Daniel and me.
Neither of us was really in a fit state to drive but Daniel’s arm needed some attention, so I phoned home. Deborah answered and was horrified when I explained briefly what had happened. William was already out on a call, but Edwin was there and drove straight up to us in his beloved Austin Healey.
‘It’s beginning to become a habit, me patching you up.’
We were in the kitchen which was warm from the range and, having removed his jacket and sweater, Daniel was taking off his shirt and peeling the sleeve over the wound in his upper arm. Edwin had been trying to make light conversation, but Daniel scowled and then winced as the material pulled on the half-congealed blood.
‘I didn’t exactly plan any of it,’ he retorted.
‘I don’t suppose you did. Now let’s have a look.’ Edwin frowned as he peered at Daniel’s arm. ‘Hmm. Lucky you were wearing that jacket. I reckon it saved you from quite a nasty injury. As it is, it’s just a flesh wound. A few stitches and you’ll be fighting fit. Not that I suggest you do any fighting, not for a while anyway. Hold still and I’ll just put in a few little pricks of anaesthetic.’
He set everything on the table and I gave Daniel an encouraging smile. He returned it, but there was a look of irritation in his eyes that said he considered Edwin was making a fuss over nothing. The laceration wasn’t serious – I had seen far worse casualties at the hospital – but there was a gaping two inch gash that needed closing. I saw Daniel flinch slightly at the injections, but it wasn’t his face I was looking at. I had seen him undressed when he’d been in hospital, but it hadn’t seemed right to study his fine physique when he’d been so badly hurt. But now I felt the irresistible draw of his masculinity. His broad shoulders were perfectly muscled and his arms had a slender, wiry strength. His chest was scattered with fine, dark hair and there was not an ounce of spare flesh on his hard, flat stomach.
I felt that tingling sensation plunge into the pit of my belly. Dear Lord, was that love? I’d never really felt like that about Edwin. He was solid and dependable, full of fun. But with Daniel I felt excited, exhilarated, almost feverish. I felt…
‘There. All done,’ Edwin pronounced. ‘Keep it clean and dry, and come to the surgery on Friday morning for me to take the stitches out. Should be healed enough by then. But no doing anything physical that could burst the stitches in the meantime. And here’s some penicillin just in case. God knows what germs were on that knife. Make sure you take the full course. I know what you are.’
‘Yes, doc,’ Daniel murmured, glancing up darkly.
‘I’ll nip up and get you some other clothes,’ I offered, jumping up.
‘Lily, it’s all—’
But I was already out of the door and up the stairs. My head was spinning. God, I loved Daniel. I was enflamed. He was such a good man and I just wanted to open up his heart. And then I remembered the sheet of paper I had found earlier that afternoon. Was there a way I could draw him out? He had come so far since I had first met him.
‘Do you want to come back with me, Lily,’ Edwin asked as I went back into the kitchen, ‘if you don’t feel up to driving?’
I considered for a moment. ‘If I do, someone will have to drive me back up to get my car tomorrow. So… Well, I think I’d rather stay here tonight. That’s if it’s all right with you, Daniel?’
Daniel took the clean shirt from me and slowly raised a quizzical eyebrow as he shrugged into the garment. Then the shadow of a smile twitched at his mouth. ‘Yes, of course. It’d be good to have some company tonight,’ he said quietly.
Edwin cleared his throat. ‘I’ll be off, then. Nothing strenuous, remember.’
‘I’ll see you out,’ I offered as we went into the hall.
‘Thanks for coming, Ed,’ Daniel called from the kitchen as he fastened the buttons.
‘You and Danny seem…’ Edwin spread his hands as I opened the front door. ‘I’d never have thought—’
I’m sure I blushed like a radish. ‘We’re just good friends. Honestly,’ I insisted. ‘And you drive carefully in that nippy little thing of yours.’
Edwin grinned. ‘I will. See you some time tomorrow, then.’ And he zoomed off into the darkness.
I went back to the kitchen. Daniel was pulling on the jumper I’d brought down for him. ‘I’ll get the fire lit in the drawing room. Are you hungry yet?’
I shook my head. ‘Not really. I’ll make a drink, though. Tea or coffee?’
‘Tea, please. Tell you what. There’s some ham in the fridge. How about making some sandwiches and we can have them later when we feel like it?’
‘Yes, all right. I’ll do that while you get the fire going.’
He gave me that lazy smile and went out of the room. I still felt strange as I made the drinks and the sandwiches. But it wasn’t only the events of the day that were making my stomach churn over and over. I had never felt so close to Daniel as I did now. Could I possibly find the courage to tell him?
It was an hour or so later as we warmed ourselves in front of the fire that the telephone rang. Apart from the kitchen, the old house with its spacious rooms was really cold, so we were in the best spot with one of the sofas drawn up close to the hearth. Daniel reluctantly took himself off to the hall, and I was pleased when Trojan came and lay down on my feet.
It was some time before Daniel came back. He shivered and knelt down in front of the burning logs. ‘That was the police,’ he told me, rubbing his hands together. ‘The fellow’s confessed everything. Apparently he’s an old warrener, possibly the last one on the moor.’
‘Really?’
Daniel sighed heavily. ‘That was the root of it all. The myxomatosis was the last nail in the coffin of a dying trade. It was a complete way of life, handed down through generations. But a very lonely way of life. This chap’s lived alone on the moor for decades. Probably been going off his trolley for donkey’s years. When myxomatosis got here, it killed not just his business but his entire way of life. He blamed the farmers for introducing it. I suppose some unscrupulous farmers in the country might have encouraged it, but up here on the moor rabbits weren’t a particular threat. But this chap was so twisted, he was killing sheep to get back at the local farmers. Totally unfounded, of course. But he was trying to make it look as though the sheep had been sacrificed by some occult group to shift the blame.’
I shook my head, struggling to take it all in. ‘Doesn’t seem possible.’
‘Well, there we are. I feel sorry for the poor man in some ways. He had his head turned by loneliness, I suppose.’
‘Daniel, he tried to kill you! And very nearly succeeded.’
He shrugged ruefully. ‘Yes, I know. It was definitely him. His van. Remember I nearly caught him a couple of times before? He recognised me and thought he’d do away with me. I’d become the enemy as well.’
‘So what’ll happen?’
‘There’ll be a court case, of course. You and I will have to give evidence. But the poor devil will probably end his days in an asylum. Sad really. Anyway.’ He stood up again and gave a deep sigh. ‘It’s all over now. And I could do with a drink. And I don’t mean tea.’
He was out of the room for just a few minutes while I sat staring into the flames. I still felt numbed and yet every fibre of me was poised, strung on edge. When Daniel returned, he was carrying two glasses, each charged with a good measure of brandy. He handed one to me and we sat, sipping at the burning spirit, exchanging an odd word but mainly trying to absorb the enormity of what had happened. Daniel kept feeding the fire and had a good blaze crackling in the grate. Although the rest of the house was cold, we were toasting by the hearth and both of us had taken off our jumpers. The fire and the brandy had relaxed me and I could feel the tension draining away as I sat on the rug at Daniel’s feet. My hair had been scooped up in a ponytail all day and now I shook it free and it fell down around my shoulders. A minute or two later, I tensed as I felt something moving. Daniel was stroking my hair so softly I could barely feel it, and my stomach clenched.
‘I’m glad you never had your hair cut or permed or anything,’ he said from behind me, his voice thick and low. ‘It’s beautiful, you know. And if I tease you about it, it’s only because—’
He didn’t get to finish the sentence. He must have moved awkwardly and drew in a wincing breath through his teeth. I turned round at once, kneeling up between his spread knees.
‘Are you all right?’
He nodded with a slightly sheepish smile. ‘Yes. Sorry. I guess the anaesthetic’s wearing off. It’s just a bit sore. I’d forgotten about it really, and it just took me by surprise. But…I’m really glad you’re here, my little Carrot Top.’
His deep, violet-blue eyes were smouldering into mine, steady and strong, and the fire plunged down inside me. Oh, Daniel. I held my breath as he reached out and cupped my cheek. I was mesmerised, heady with love. Was he…was there a chance Daniel felt the same way as I did? I couldn’t stop myself, overtaken by some force far more powerful than I was. I turned my head into his palm. Kissed it.
A small quivering sound fluttered in my throat as I felt Daniel’s fingers entwine in my hair, drawing me towards him. And then his lips found mine, so gentle and tender. A thrill of joy, of need, pulsed through my limbs as we kissed, long and deep, and when we finally parted, his eyes were so soft, his mouth lightly curved as I stared at him, breathless and intoxicated.
‘I love you, Lily Hayes,’ he articulated deep in his throat.
We were so close. I could feel his brandy-scented breath fanning my cheek. He was smiling, his eyes passionate and intense. And I was lost in some enchanted rapture. Daniel loved me. And not in the same fantasy way I had once thought I had loved Edwin. This was real. Pure, hard and strong.
‘I could…kiss it better,’ I gulped in a tiny whisper. I was shaking, but my keyed up emotions knew what they craved. Daniel’s eyes followed me darkly and he didn’t move as I began to unbutton his shirt and I slid it back over his shoulder. The neat stitches looked like a train track near the top of his left arm and I tenderly kissed the skin on either side. And then I found myself moving my lips along his collarbone, kissing his chest…
His long fingers dug into my shoulders as he pushed me away. ‘Christ, Lily, don’t! I won’t be able… I’d never forgive myself if something happens you regret.’
‘I won’t regret it,’ I whispered. And I knew I wouldn’t.
Daniel took me in his arms again, kissing me hard and urgently. His mouth moved down to the well of my throat and my stomach cramped with need. His hand slipped inside my blouse. I’m sure he must have felt my heart beating frenziedly beneath his touch. A warm, delicious sensation burnt through me and I pulled at Daniel’s shirt until that glorious torso was glowing amber in the firelight. I traced my trembling fingertips over his chest and then he was undressing me, slowly, touching, stroking every inch of my skin as it became exposed. I flinched as he unhooked my bra and tossed it aside, but the moment of embarrassment was gone as he took my breasts in his hands, so gently, and bent to kiss them before laying me down on the rug. I was aflame, devoured by my love for this good, sensitive man, and he drew me on, alive to the slightest touch, until I was on fire, yearning with desire. He stopped for a few seconds to strip off the rest of his own clothes. I’d never seen a man excited before. I felt scared but fascinated at the same time, but Daniel’s body was beautiful, perfect. I lay, rapt and submissive, as he pulled off my slacks and then my knickers, pausing to smile as he ran a tantalising finger over my belly.
‘Are you sure?’ he rasped, swallowing hard.
I was shaking but I didn’t hesitate and nodded silently. And then Daniel was drawing me on to some wondrous world I had never dreamt of, his mouth, his tongue, his fingers stroking, caressing, enticing. He found the sweet, moist core of me, and I knew I was ready to give myself wholly to him. I moaned, feverish, hysterical, but utterly trusting as Daniel came to me. I felt a sharp, intimate pain for just a moment, but Daniel was so gentle and caring, and I welcomed him inside me, healing him, healing myself. He moved in a slow rhythm, delectable and unhurried, building until something unimaginable, bewitching, erupted and exploded within me, sending shockwaves rippling through my entire body. And in that instant, Daniel cried out and shuddered, and I clung to him, knowing at last that this was true, pure love.
He was smiling at me, his brow creased. ‘Are you all right?’ he whispered.
Just for a moment I wanted to cry, but Daniel was raining tiny, playful kisses on my cheeks, my nose and chin, and I began to giggle instead. Then he turned more leisurely attention to my breasts, sending a riptide of emotion through my flesh before he drew me against him and I curled up next to him, resting my head on his shoulder and with my hand tracing the strong contours of his chest, the faint cigarette-burn scars, everything that made Daniel what he was. We lay there, holding each other, not exchanging a word, for some time, totally at peace, until Daniel rolled away to put some more logs on the fire.
He raised his index finger at me. ‘Don’t go away!’ he ordered.
I sat up, tipping my head coquettishly. ‘I don’t think I’m going anywhere,’ I grinned back.
Daniel pulled on his jumper which was sensible as the rest of the house was so cold. I lay back, hugging the dream, the exquisite sensation, to my heart. I had slept with the most wonderful man who had earned my love and respect against all odds. And I was running over with joy.
It was so amazing that I couldn’t lie still. I sprang up, facing the roaring fire, watching the dancing light from the flames playing over my skin. I felt strangely free, glorifying in my nakedness, and began to hum, swaying in the firelight, engulfed in a perfect world that contained only Daniel and me. Daniel and me…
‘God, stop that or I’ll want you again,’ his voice came in my ear. ‘No, don’t turn round. And keep your eyes shut.’
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. But I did as he said, feeling a little giddy with my eyes closed, whether due to the brandy or the intoxication of my love for Daniel, I didn’t know. I felt something cold at my throat, and then Daniel moved my hair to one side and was fiddling at the back of my neck.
‘OK. Open your eyes.’
I did. And I glanced down. The exquisite Victorian necklace, the one in the portrait, hung around my neck. I caught my breath.
‘I hope you’ll accept it this time,’ Daniel said at my shoulder. And then his voice became oddly ragged. ‘You said I should keep it for my wife.’
Slowly, he turned me round, and I gazed up at him, wide-eyed. Could he possibly mean…?
‘Will you, Lily?’ he croaked. ‘Will you spend your life with this miserable old devil?’
His eyes were searching my face, anguished. I blinked at him as a scintillating, joyous whoop burst from my throat.
‘Do I take it that’s a yes?’ he said, a slow smile unfurling on his face.
‘Oh yes!’ I cried, finding my voice. ‘Most definitely a yes!’
He took me in his arms again, pressing my bare flesh against his jumper. ‘You do realise you don’t have any nightclothes here? I’ll have to lend you one of my pyjama tops. Mind you, I’m sure you’ll look very fetching in it,’ he chuckled softly. ‘And I take it I won’t have to make up a spare bed for you?’
I threw up my head with a happy laugh and snuggled against him. ‘No, I don’t think you will,’ I replied.