The Unmaking of Ellie Rook Episode 62

Ibutt in. “Mum, come back with us and let’s talk.” It’s time she listened to me, not him. The two of us are doing a weird sideways creep towards her, like hounds about to fight over a rabbit.

He eyes me coldly. “I’ve got this. Take your brother away.”

“No. I’m not leaving her with you.” He narrows his eyes at me and opens his mouth to speak, but Mum interrupts.

“I’m too scared to move, Lawler,” she says. “You’ll have to come and get me.”

Something like fear passes across his face. This is not his place, the den.

It’s not part of his kingdom and he doesn’t understand it.

He doesn’t know where to put his feet, or how to get a grip.

He’s at home with grease and grime, not earth and water. But he doesn’t want to lose her.

“I’m coming, sweetheart. I’ll take you home and you can tell me what’s bothering you.”

Sweat breaks out on his brow as he inches closer. I’m close, too. Right behind him.

I meant it. I won’t leave my mother with him. Never again.

He reaches out a hand to her, but she doesn’t take it.

She’s facing him now, smiling, although there’s a strange light in her eyes.

Maybe he sees himself reflected there, because there’s a moment when he pauses.

There’s a space, a gap in time, when even the water goes quiet.

Shock

I’m back in the kitchen with a blanket round my shoulders. A paramedic is checking me over; I think I’m being treated for shock.

There’s a lot of police activity in the yard, and Julie, who’s sitting next to me, is stroking my hand.

I can’t think why she’s here. Maybe someone called her.

She says there’s a helicopter hovering over the Den of Finella. River is being questioned separately, in the sitting room.

It’s routine, according to PC Sampson, to separate witnesses, see if their stories stack up.

When my brother was led away he was weeping and distraught, but he’s a Rook. We know how to hold the line.

As well as Lorraine, there are two detectives in the kitchen.

They’re having a hushed conversation over by the cooker, after listening to my version of events.

“There’s a gap in my memory,” I wept. I just can’t remember exactly what happened.

All I do remember is that there were three of us standing at the top of the waterfall, and then there were two.

Just like that. It’s all very hazy, but it’s treacherous up there, especially after that heavy rain.

It only takes one slip.

Understanding

The detectives were gentle and understanding; I expect Lorraine has discreetly aired our dirty laundry in the appropriate circles.

“You poor thing,” says Julie for the umpteenth time, rubbing the back of my hand.

“By some miracle, you get your mum back, and on the same day this happens. Oh my word. What are the chances?”

Lorraine swoops in on my other side. “Things will proceed in the same way, Ellie.

“We’ve mounted a search, but as you know from last time...

“We’ll be looking for proof of life, and the more time a casualty spends in the water with no sighting of them, the less chance there is of a positive outcome.

“However, police divers will be conducting a thorough search of the coast. You just never know.”

I catch a glimpse of something in Lorraine’s eye. What is she thinking?

Capable

That if I’m capable of misleading the police about my mother, what else am I capable of ?

Losing a second parent in a matter of weeks – unlucky or deliberate?

I’m still trying to decipher her expression when the door opens.

My mother sidles in. They’ve allowed her a few minutes with Shelby, who is sitting in the ambulance.

Julie says they got him out of the caravan with bolt cutters because no one knows who has the keys.

I think he’s going to be taken to the hospital, despite Mum’s protests.

“He’s family,” she’d said. “I need him here.”

Only I notice the first flush of hope beneath her skin.

I have a sudden urge to contact Piotr, to explore an unspoken possibility. Lots of things seem possible now...

The End.

Dixon Hawke returns

He reaches out a hand, but she doesn’t take it. She’s facing him now, smiling, although there’s a strange light in her eyes

We regularly get requests from readers to run a few more Dixon Hawke stories, tales about the incomparable sleuth and his sidekick Tommy Burke.

So, from tomorrow, we’ll publish a few more, before our new serial begins next week. Enjoy!