Chapter Forty-Seven

Lucy

The windscreen wipers swish. Scenery whirls by the car window, a blur through the streaking rain, speeding green gardens and shopfronts that merge together into one solid mass. Every now and then I glance at Kieron, his pale skin, his troubled sleep. I slow down – the last thing I want to do is crash and hurt him – but then I remember that time is running out and my foot squeezes the accelerator.

If I’m right about my theory then I know that Connor will be in turmoil, confused and scared, and I’m certain I am right.

Hurry.

The needle gauge on the petrol tank has slipped into the red and is hovering dangerously close to empty. I can’t afford the time to fill up.

My eyes flicker between the gauge and the road. I recall Aidan telling me once that cars use less fuel at a lesser speed and I don’t know if that’s true but still I slow down by 5 mph.

Minutes tick by and dark thoughts creep in. What if I am too late?

Hurry.

Again, my foot presses the pedal to the floor and we are roaring ahead.