Endangering Innocents Read Free Page A

worried.”
    The woman looked slightly disappointed. “Oh,” she said. “Well - thank you.”
    Matthew spoke in her ear. “Time we went, my darling.”
    He waited until they were out of the town and back on the country road before questioning her about the woman. “So what did our lady in the black suit want?”
    Joanna leaned back in her seat. “Oh - the old nest of serpents. A child she suspects of being ill-treated. I rather think I let her down.” She nestled up to him. “I hope you didn’t do the same to my aunt Jane and her infamous varicose veins.”
    Matthew burst out laughing and Joanna straightened up, suddenly dizzy. “Oh my goodness. How much champagne have I downed?”
     
    She was very hungry now. And she wanted a drink. And to go to the toilet. The television was on downstairs. Loudly. If she crept across the landing, quiet, like a mouse, she could go to the
toilet
. And have a drink of water from the tap. It would be better than nothing. She put one foot to the floor - and waited. Another foot. And waited. Then slid across the bedroom, trying to be quiet. Very quiet. She opened the door. The smell of chips wafted up the stairs. She cried for them, peering over the top of the stairs. The sitting room door was almost closed. Darren’s dog was chained outside. She could hear him straining on the chain and barking. Maybe they’d left their chip papers on the kitchen table. Maybe they’d left some for her. Madeline was torn. Should she tiptoe to the bathroom? Or risk going downstairs?
    She wished she was invisible so she could creep down to the kitchen and eat the chips without any chance of being seen. Or that the magician could wave his magic wand and make the chips float upstairs, to her.
     
    At last they were home. Matthew put his key in the door. “Coffee, Jo?”
    She kicked her shoes off. “I don’t think so. Truth is I feel a bit queasy. I reckon those prawn vol-au-vents were off.”
    He appeared in the doorway. “You’re just trying to prove even idols have feet of clay.”
    “Sorry?”
    “Even the great, wonderful and perfect Sarah can do something wrong.”
    “Like poisoning her sister.”
    “Fool.” He stretched out beside her on the sofa. “How queasy?”
    “Not too bad.” She watched him through her eyelashes. “Thanks.”
    “What for?”
    She held her arms up. “Just thanks.”
     
    They
had left quite a lot of chips. When she got to the next to bottom step she could see them on the kitchen table, sticking to the greasy white paper. She sneaked in, trying not to breathe. Darren could hear anything. He would hear if she breathed. She stuffed some chips into her mouth, trying not to make the paper crackle. They were cold but tasted wonderful. Then the door slammed open and he was standing there.
    “You little …”
    She screamed.
     
    Joanna wriggled her toes and ran her fingers through Matthew’s thick hair. “So went the day well, Mat?”
    He nodded. “It went well. So far.”
    “Then I am content,” she said. “I executed my duty. My family will be pleased with me - for once.” She laughed. “I’m quite proud of myself.”
    Matthew was laughing too.
     
    Madeline was crying.

Chapter Two
    Monday April 9th 8.30 am
     
    Joanna pushed her legs against the pedals, fighting the wind to climb the hill into Leek. The air was bitingly cold. After the cool but promising sunshine of the weekend it seemed winter threatened to return. A few daffodils were bravely struggling to stay upright. But the wind was ruthless. It would blow them over - in the end. Yet they would try, year after year. She scanned the fields either side of the road. Empty. Sheep and cattle were confined to the barns to await their fate. Straw mats guarded the entrance to the farms and visitors were excluded. Everywhere the signs were up. Foot and Mouth Infected Area. The public footpaths were closed to ramblers. As Joanna glanced to her left and right the country felt tainted. Diseased. Closed. The