Save Her, Abigail Osborne [ebook reader for surface pro txt] 📗

him five times in the head. His body jerked grotesquely with each shot. Putting the gun on the floor next to his head. She raised her hands in the air and slowly walked back over to Greg.

‘There, now I’m more guilty than you. It was my gun that made the final killing blow. If anyone were to investigate, they would find bullets registered to my gun. You only shot him once, that is easily self-defence. But five times? Complete overkill.’

Sophie stared at Cecelia in awe. ‘It’s no secret, I’ve wanted the both of you out of my sons’ lives for a long time.’ Cecelia looked at her diary lying haphazardly on the floor where Flora had dropped it. ‘Now I’m going to get my wish, with the added bonus of no longer being subjected to the malevolent torment of my husband.’

Sophie could see no downside. Cecelia had wanted them gone for so long. If she let Sam go, then she would have everything she wanted. The company name would be intact, there would be no scandal. It was win–win.

‘Okay. You let me and Flora go first and then we’ve got a deal. I’ve still got your diary. I made copies, so I could use that against you… you know that, right?’

Cecelia bowed her head in acknowledgement. ‘I do not want a fight. I just want to save my son and go on with our lives. Without either of you in it.’

Sophie motioned to Flora. ‘Come on, Flora. You heard her. Let’s go.’

67

‘No.’

Flora’s voice rang out in the silence and all three heads turned to look down at her. It was like they’d forgotten she was there.

‘Flora, come on. We haven’t got time for this.’ Sophie looked at her, confused.

‘I’m not going anywhere with you!’ she screamed at Sophie. If she hadn’t been holding on to Sam with all her strength, she could have happily scratched her eyes out. But Sam was getting ice cold and heavier in her arms.

‘Don’t be so ridiculous, girl.’ Cecelia moved over to her and Sophie’s gun tracked her movements. Cecelia knelt down next to Sam and took his hand in hers. Her eyes went wide with fear when she too felt the iciness of his skin. Cecelia looked at Flora until she met her eye. It looked like she was trying to communicate something silently, but Flora didn’t know what.

‘Go. Sam will be okay. Just go,’ said Cecelia. She motioned to Greg to help her. He walked over and stood behind Flora, he bent down and grabbed her roughly under her arms. She tried to fight but he was too strong. Cecelia moved so that Sam was now on her lap instead. She stroked his hair softly and whispered into his ear. But Sam made no sound. Greg held Flora with one arm around her chest, with the other, he rammed something hard and cold into her back, sliding it into the waist of her jeans. He whispered, ‘Be careful,’ before pushing her towards Sophie so hard she stumbled.

Sophie took the advantage and grabbed Flora’s arm.

‘No. I’m not leaving with you. I’m staying with Sam.’ Flora tried to wrestle free from Sophie’s grip.

Cecelia looked up. ‘Get out of here. Can’t you see you’ve done enough already? It’s because he fell in love with you that he’s lying here in the first place. I never want to see either of you again.’

Before Flora could reply, Sophie had grabbed her by the throat and dragged her to the front door. Flora was clutching at Sophie’s arm that was wrapped around her neck, cutting off her air supply. She was too focused on stopping her windpipe from being crushed to try and escape.

Outside Sophie continued to wrestle Flora towards the car. They stumbled without the light of the torches. Suddenly, the world spun upside down and Flora was flung to the floor: Sophie had tripped over something in the dark. The landing forced all the breath from her body and she lay there winded. Something hard and cold was digging painfully into her back. She rolled to the side and reached behind her and pulled out a gun similar to the one Cecelia had used to shoot Alistair. Why would Greg give her a gun? She didn’t even know how to use one.

She could hear Sophie’s heavy breathing somewhere close by but could not see her. Her eyes were struggling to become accustomed to the obsidian night sky. Not even the stars wanted to shine on this scene. She clambered to her feet and held the gun in front of her, hoping that if she did run into Sophie it would deter her from dragging her into the car. Flora would not be leaving with her. There was no doubt in her mind about that.

Flora turned in slow circles, trying to get her bearings. She was just able to make out the light from the cabin. Slowly, she moved delicately in that direction, stopping every time a twig snapped under her foot. She couldn’t hear Sophie anymore. Flora stumbled as her foot hit something hard. With relief, she realised it was the boardwalk. She started to run and focused her attention only on the light that was getting bigger with each stride.

Something hard rammed into her from the side, sending her sprawling onto her back once more. The gun flew from her hand, landing a few metres away from her, partly obscured by a patch of nettles.

Before she had time to move Sophie had jumped onto her, straddling her. ‘Flora! Stop running away. Didn’t you hear her? We aren’t wanted there. We need to go.’

‘I’m not going anywhere with you,’ snarled Flora. She was fed up of Sophie and her insanity. Hurt swept over Sophie’s face but Flora didn’t care. She wriggled and fought to get free, but Sophie had the height advantage. She pinned down Flora, arm by arm, her legs gripping tightly, keeping her under control. Flora thrashed uselessly, refusing to give up.

‘Don’t be silly.