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By turning the wheel so sharply, I’ve altered our course down the slope. Now, we’re crossing it at an angle, towards the tall cliffs that face out to sea.
Annie stamps down on the brake. But even with the wheels locked, we slough off barely any speed.
The cliff edge races closer. The van knocks and shakes, so loud in my ears it’s as if I’ve strapped myself to a moon rocket.
‘Bastard!’ Annie screams. ‘Bastard, let GO!’
She drives her elbow into my face, knocking my head to the side. Beside me, on the seat, I see something amazing.
III
It’s my family.
Elijah, his face alive with mischief, is perched on Mama’s lap. When our eyes meet, he smiles and mouths my name.
Mama’s arms are wrapped around his tummy. I glance up at her and she smiles at me, too, her face shining with so much love I feel my strength renewed.
Beneath us, the van’s wheels bump and thump like those of a runaway train. Annie hits me again. This time, I hardly feel the blow. All my attention is on Mama.
I do notice the sudden silence as we punch over the cliff edge into empty air. Despite the cracked windscreen, I can still see that chink of blue sky. There’s sudden screaming beside me. It’s easy enough to tune out.
As the nose of the van starts to dip I have a glorious view of the sea. Some distance out, I spot a police boat riding the swells.
There’s sound, now, all around: the wind, beginning to roar.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
‘Kyle,’ Mama says. ‘Kyle, look at me.’
When I turn my gaze from the water rushing up, I see her loving eyes. Elijah’s too.
‘Come home,’ she tells me.
I go to them.
Elissa
For a while, she can’t do anything but lie on her back in the long grass and stare at the sky. Out to sea, the clouds have separated to reveal a narrow strip of blue. Elissa watches it, listening to the wind, and to a gull crying overhead.
Soon, a face is leaning over her. It’s the woman from the helicopter. Weirdly, she seems to be crying.
‘Elissa,’ she says, touching her as if she’s made of glass. ‘It’s over. You’re safe now.’
Elissa nods. Not because she believes it, but because it’s the polite thing to do. ‘How’s my mum?’
‘Your mum’s a fighter, just like you,’ the woman says. She wipes her face clean of tears. ‘How’s that arm?’
Elissa grimaces. ‘Hurts like a—’
She stops, colour rising in her cheeks. A week with the ghoul and she’s about to swear in front of a stranger.
‘A bitch?’ the woman asks.
‘Don’t tell my mum I said that.’
‘I won’t.’
Elissa turns her head towards the sea. ‘Did you see what happened? What he did?’
‘We all saw.’
‘I asked him to promise me, right at the start, that hewouldn’t let me die. He wouldn’t say it. But he did promise he’d come back.’
Elissa sees more faces around her now. She feels herself being lifted.
‘I’m Mairéad,’ says the woman, taking Elissa’s good hand and squeezing it. ‘I’m going to take you home.’
It’s a word she could hear again and again.