An eerie quiet settled over Meadow Pines. The sun drifted over the forest like a lost balloon, dipping over the treetops. After the noise and chaos of the day, the silence was a welcome companion. But it was strange, Emily thought, that the birds were not singing. In fact, the only sounds she could hear were the clomps of shoes as she and Melody made their way through the forest and the steady ins and outs of their breaths.
As they walked, Emily stole glances at Melody. Her pale skin seemed even whiter. Dark shadows bruised the skin beneath her eyes.
Sensing Emily’s gaze upon her, Melody looked up.
“I can’t believe this is all happening,” she said. “First Oscar, now Sam.”
“Sam’s probably fine,” Emily assured her, ignoring the niggling doubt in her mind. “Like Helen said, he’s probably headed into Lyndhurst to find Marcia.”
The path coiled around a collection of rocks that stood like ancient monoliths.
“That’s if she made it there in the first place,” Melody said, ominously. “Meadow Pines used to be such a peaceful place. Now, all I want to do is to pick up Derek from the cattery and go home.”
Streaks of dusky sunlight dripped through the canopies to burn circles into the growing shadows. Emily quickened her pace. Darkness could creep up in the forest like a venomous snake and she had no intention of getting caught by it. Beside her, Melody peered into the surrounding vegetation.
“You’ve been here a few times. How well do you know the Hardys?”
Melody ducked beneath a low branch. “They’ve always been very kind to me. Why do you ask?”
“What about Marcia and Sam? How long have they been together?”
“A while, I think. I used to see them flirting with each other like school children. Then, one time I visited, I saw them in the woods. They were...” Even in the waning light, Emily could see her face blossom with embarrassment. “Anyway, I think it’s very sweet. Even if some people don’t approve.”
“And by some people you mean Pamela?”
“It’s not that she doesn’t like Sam. But he’s her employee. I suppose she’s worried if it doesn’t work out between the two of them it could make things awkward. And then there’s the—”
“The what?”
Melody looked over her shoulder. “Sam likes to smoke marijuana. Never around the guests of course. But sometimes you can smell it on him, if you get close enough. Pamela knows about it for sure. I think she’s worried Marcia will make some bad choices. But Marcia says she’s old enough to make her own choices, good and bad.”
The path turned. They passed by a dead tree, its bare branches reaching towards the sky like gnarled claws.
“How do you know all of this?” Emily asked, bewildered by Melody’s knowledge of the Hardy family.
“Marcia talks to me sometimes. It must get lonely out here. Besides, sometimes you need someone to confide in who’s not your mother or your boyfriend. Someone who’s more like a sister.”
“So, you’re friends? Do you ever meet up outside of Meadow Pines?”
“Oh, no. Marcia rarely has a day to herself. And when she does, of course, it’s only natural she would want to spend it with Sam.” The smile left Melody’s lips. She stopped walking. “Do you think Pamela will forgive me? She looked so disappointed. But I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that I miss Derek when I’m away from him. Having all of my pictures of him nearby makes me feel better, that’s all.”
Emily took her arm and gently tugged her along the path. “I think Pamela’s more worried about her daughter right now. And to be brutally honest, I’m not sure Meadow Pines will be around long enough for her to hit you with a lifetime ban.”
Melody stopped again. “Why would you say that?”
“Because mud sticks. And so do newspaper headlines.”
“Helen,” Melody clenched her teeth. “I really don’t like her.”
The path grew wide and familiar. Emily felt her heart beating a little faster as they stepped into the clearing. Oscar’s body lay wrapped in tarpaulin, half-covered by shadows.
Melody squeezed her eyes shut. “Sam shouldn’t have done that.”
“There’s a photograph in Oscar’s pocket, of a man,” Emily said, an idea coming to her. “I think he might have something to do with Meadow Pines.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Just a feeling.” She moved closer to the tarpaulin. “Perhaps if you took a look you might recognise him.”
“I don’t want to look!” Melody still had her eyes shut. Now, she covered her face with her hands.
Emily stepped forwards. She froze.
“Someone’s been here,” she said. The tarpaulin had been pulled back to one side, exposing Oscar’s arm and chest. His shirt pocket was empty.