Page 135 of Child's Play

‘I bet she even got special treatment, didn’t she? More presents, more treats, more toys. Everyone thought she was cleverer, funnier, cuter. Your parents showed her off at parties, telling everyone what she could do, bragging about her achievements. You were totally forgotten, constantly in her shadow, trying to get some attention for yourself. Trying to stand out, be noticed. I can’t even imagine what that could do to a child. All that rejection so young.’

She knew she had him. The see-saw had slowed and Ellie had had the sense to match his speed so that her leg was getting less nicks and the blood loss had slowed.

And now for the gamble that fresh hurt cut deeper than old wounds.

‘So difficult for a child to take that level of rejection, except it doesn’t end there, does it, Eric?’ she asked as her voice hardened.

‘Especially when it follows you into adulthood, cos I’ve met both you and your sister and I have to say I liked her much better than I liked you.’

Her eyes challenged him.

‘So, why don’t you come play with me?’

One Hundred Five

‘Jesus, will you get out of the way, man?’ Bryant growled when he got to the fire exit door that led out on to the scented garden.

‘Just a sec, mate, gotta make sure the magnets are holding and the activation is received back at the control room.’

The security guy was holding his radio up to his ear awaiting a response.

Bryant tried to control his breathing after his sprint through the building. His only alternative had been a two-mile run from one end of the complex to the other.

And now he was just a couple of minutes away from the play area where he was guessing his boss was facing down psycho Beth or her half-brother alone.

‘Too many activations from these doors, mate. Gotta make sure they’re all in order.’

Bryant nudged him out of the way and pushed hard.

The doors opened.

‘They’re working,’ he called back as he ran as fast as he could across the plants.

One Hundred Six

Kim saw the expression in his eyes turn murderous as he dismounted the see-saw. The second he was off Kim sprinted to Ellie’s side of the see-saw as her legs headed towards the knives.

Kim managed one swift kick at the blades before Eric grabbed hold of her hair and pulled her down to the ground.

The sting went from her scalp to her eyes. She prepared her body for an onslaught as he dragged her across the tarmac.

‘You’ve spoiled it all, you fucking…’

His words trailed away as the grip loosened on her hair. She lifted her head to see him looking beyond her.

A figure was rushing towards them.

Eric pushed her to the ground and ran.

‘Get Ellie,’ she shouted to her colleague. ‘And stay with her,’ she instructed, getting to her feet.

The woman would be absolutely terrified by her ordeal.

She set off in the direction she thought he’d gone. He could easily climb the fence around the play area and get lost in the Worcestershire countryside.

She ran around the castle and spied him launching himself at the metal fencing. His left foot had managed to get hold and he was scaling it like Spiderman.

She heard him curse as one of his clown suit bobbles got caught on a join in the wire. He shouted out with frustration as he was frozen halfway up the fencing, unable to move up or down.