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Ellie? Why does she have Gina’s phone?

‘Ellie. Listen to me.’ His voice was shaking as he rushed the words out. ‘Do you know where Gina and the children are?’

‘Andrew and Binny are right here with me.’

Thank God. ‘Are they okay?’

‘Yes. They’re fine. We’re in the crèche. Gina dropped the kids off here this morning, but David –’ He could hear the hesitation in Ellie’s voice ‘– she’s very late coming back. I was wondering if she mentioned going on a tour or anything.’

Relief that Andrew and Binny were safe was overlaid by his desperate fear for Gina’s safety. ‘Ellie, listen to me. Listen very carefully. Hang up the phone and wait. I’ll call you back from another line.’ David was sure that Fairweather had his phone tapped, somehow, and he didn’t want him to know what he was planning. The man’s reach seemed to spread everywhere.

David threw the phone onto the desk and ran for the door, his car keys in his hand.

*

Ellie locked the door and drew the blinds while she waited for David to call back. For extra security she pulled a large box of toys against the door. David’s voice had sent a shiver down her spine. Something was very wrong. It was only a few minutes until the phone rang and Ellie snatched it up.

‘David?’

‘Listen carefully, Ellie. I want you to do everything I say. Where do you live?’

‘In a staff apartment at the back of the lodge.’

‘Look, I know it’s a big ask, but I’m on my way to the lodge now. Can you get the kids over there and lock the door until I get there? And don’t tell a soul.’

‘I can do that. David, what’s going on?’

‘I’ll explain when I arrive. You said you’ve got Gina’s phone. How much charge has it got?’

‘It’s switched off. Wait a minute.’

She powered it up and waited. The battery icon showed about eighty per cent. ‘Plenty.’

‘Good. I’ll call you on it when I get there.’ David’s voice dropped and Ellie sensed he was trying to hold it together. ‘Are you sure the kids are okay?’

Ellie looked over to the corner. Binny had fallen asleep against her brother and Andrew’s eyes were heavy. ‘Yes. Yes, they’re fine. Ready for their dinner, I guess, but I’ll feed them.’

‘Keep them safe. Lock the door and don’t let anyone in. Not even anyone you know. Not even anyone you trust. No one. And Ellie, thank you. I owe you.’ David’s voice cracked as the call disconnected.

Ellie carried Binny on her hip, and she locked her little arms around Ellie’s neck as they walked the path to the back of the lodge. Binny’s soft lashes brushed Ellie’s face in a butterfly kiss as her eyes closed. Ellie inhaled the sweet smell of the little girl’s hair and took a deep breath. She wondered where Gina was. And worried why Kane was so late getting back.

‘It’s nearly dark. Binny doesn’t like the dark.’ Andrew clung tightly to her hand and he yawned. ‘And I’m hungry. Have you got chips at your house?’

Ellie glanced over at the bistro. One of the lodge buses had just dropped off a large group of tourists from the sunset cruise and they were heading for the restaurant. God knows, she’d be lucky to find a lettuce leaf in her fridge and there was no kid food in her tiny pantry. She considered a detour, but David had been quite clear about keeping the kids out of sight. No, she’d call the bar and get some food sent over once they were safely in her apartment.

A large dark car cruised slowly down the road towards them and Ellie’s heart rate picked up. Henry again? She stepped out off the path into the shadows at the side of the building, pulling Andrew in with her.

She leaned down and whispered urgently as Binny snuggled further into her shoulder. ‘Do you know how to play hide and seek?’

Andrew nodded.

‘We are going to hide and be very, very quiet. Okay?’

The car cruised past with its lights dipped low and Ellie let out a sigh of relief when she saw the Jeep insignia on the back door.

Kane was back.

David’s words filled her head as they pressed back into the shrubbery.