Verity tugged the collar of her travelling cloak tighter around her throat and glanced over her shoulder for what seemed like the hundredth time to check she wasn’t being followed. Satisfied, she veered right, down a narrow country lane lined high with hedgerows.
It seemed unbelievable in the sunshine of a bright, crisp day that she was on a mission of stealth. Then again, she reminded herself, not all monsters hid in the shadows.
Another two miles and the cottage was in sight. Framed by two spring kissed sycamore trees, the small two-room cottage blended seamlessly into the countryside.
Little Gwen was playing in the kitchen garden, industriously poking something with a stick. She watched Verity warily. She looked so much like her mother. Verity waved her welcome, but Gwen only stared.
Maggie appeared in doorway. The corners of her mouth naturally turned down, giving her a permanently thoughtful expression. She raised a hand in greeting—they’d known each other long enough to have dispensed with more formal ways.
‘Is everything well?’ Maggie hurried closer. ‘Have you heard from Ellen?’ Her concern was marked in the pitch of her voice. She looked older than when Verity had last seen her, as though the weight of the world lay heavy on her slim shoulders. Verity wished she bore happier tidings.
‘Everything’s well with Ellen, At least, I haven’t heard otherwise.’ She cast a glance towards the girl.
Understanding, Maggie led Verity a little ways from the child.
‘She still doesn’t speak?’
‘I’ve never heard a single word pass her lips in six years. Ellen tells me she can talk, but…’ Maggie shrugged.
‘Geoffrey should be locked away for what he’s done to those two girls.’ Verity fisted her hands. She knew Geoffrey had only hit Gwen once. Ellen had taken the brunt of his anger to protect the child. ‘Speaking of Geoffrey—’ She relayed the story of Geoffrey’s threat. ‘I know we hoped that you and Gwen would be safe here but I think we underestimated just how determined he’d be,’ Verity finished. ‘Now he actually has some coin, I don’t think there’s anything stopping him from finding this cottage.’
‘He’s never been here before.’
‘But others in Evendale have.’ Why had she ever thought hiding Gwen with Maggie’s sister-in-law would be good enough? Because we were desperate. Desperate to get Ellen and Gwen away from Geoffrey as fast as possible.
Maggie touched her arm reassuringly. Her fingers were cold but warmth curled around Verity’s arm. Their eyes were almost level. Verity liked not having to look down to meet Maggie’s gaze, as she did with so many other people. Maggie was as tall as she was, an inch or two taller even, with long skinny arms. Some might call her lanky or ungainly but those words did nothing to recognise her tempered personality or her nurturing disposition.
She’d helped her friends escape an abusive household. She was the strongest woman Verity knew. A loving, kind, nurturing woman. A woman with a backbone of steel.
‘You’re not safe here. I can’t stand back and let something happen to you…to all of you.’
‘I fear you’re right. We need to devise a better hiding place. Trust never an old enemy,’ Maggie quoted. She ran a hand over her head, tucking a loose strand of greying hair back into her tight chignon. ‘At all costs, we must keep the girls safe.’