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Predicting he won’t want to charge me the fare, I quickly lean forward and drop two £100 notes on the passenger seat. Before he has a chance to argue or even come to a complete stop, I jump out of the taxi and run.
Seagulls cry and wheel overhead. I can smell the ocean. Jamie’s modest house looks deceptively tranquil, with its quaint facade painted in a soft pastel green. The pitched roof casts ominous shadows, its gables and dormer windows resembling watchful eyes, silently observing my approach. Before I reach the front door with its quirky steel lobster doorknocker, it opens, and Jeff gives me a huge shit-eating grin. I want to kick him in the face. I hate him so much, more than I’ve ever hated anything or anyone in my life. His eyes glint dangerously.
“Where’s Jamie?” I demand. “Where is he?”
Jeff puts a finger to his lips, calm as a fucking cucumber. “Keep your voice down, Ivy. We don’t want to disturb the neighbors.”
I grit my teeth. I don’t slow down. As I get to the door, he steps aside to allow me in, then locks it behind me. The sound of the mechanism locking makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. There’s something permanent about it. Something dead.
Chapter 34
The Guardian of the Forest
“Ivy!” cheers Jamie from the sitting room. “Ivy’s here!”
Jeff grins. His eyes are manic. “I told you I’d get her to come visit, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” says Jamie. “Yes, you did! You were right, Jamie. Ivy’s here.”
A huge lump forms in my throat. “Hey Jamie.” I give him a quick once-over to make sure he’s okay, and then pull him into a big hug. I’m so relieved he’s not hurt.
“Jeff said you were coming to visit,” he says, smiling brightly, his slanted almond eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Yes,” I say, trying to hide my fear. Jamie wouldn’t guess that Jeff meant us harm. In his childlike way, he always sees the good—and brings out the best in people. Now I brought this evil into his house. “You doing okay? Where’s Lorna?”
His carer isn’t full-time, she just pops in daily to make sure Jamie is okay. He’s very independent, as Down adults usually are. Independent enough to live on his own, with just a little bit of help. Lorna is incredible with him, and always brings him little things she knows he likes. Ginger biscuits, paintbrushes, mince pies at Christmas.
“She came and left,” replies Jeff, glaring at me. “She was very glad to see that Jamie had a visitor. Said you hadn’t been all week.” He sneers the last bit accusingly, as if I had been neglectful. Then he turns his attention to my brother. “Jamie, will you make us some tea? We are your visitors.”
Jamie blinks at him, mortified. “I’m so sorry! That was rude. I’m sorry. Yes. Let me put the kettle on.” He scampers to the kitchen.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I whisper through clenched teeth.
“No need to be so aggressive,” Jeff replies. “I’m here to save you.”
“Save me?” I splutter.
“Yes. You’re clearly out of your depth. You’re in danger.”
“You’re the only one putting me in danger!” I whisper-yell. “You’re the one breaking into my flat and?—”
I don’t want to mention the gun, don’t want to escalate things. I know how quick his temper is. I didn’t come here to argue. I shake my head. “Just tell me what you want.”
He laughs. “You know what I want. It’s what I’ve wanted since we met. I want you.”
A spike of adrenaline hits my bloodstream. I thought he was unstable, but now I suspect he’s actually insane. How could he possibly think we could have a relationship after what he’s done? Not just today, but when we were together, before.
I scramble to come up with something that will stabilize the situation. Should I agree to get back together until Jamie is safe? Do I try to convince Jeff that he doesn’t want me? He’s always called me poison.
But I have a feeling that logic won’t apply.
“You don’t realize how much danger you’re in,” he says.
I’m still shaking.
“You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into with that mob boss. Do you know what he does to people?”
“He’s not a mob boss,” I scoff.
