Sure Fire Read Free

about their loss, their bravery and their devotion – but Rich preferred to keep his emotions to himself. Jade would know how he felt – she always knew how he felt – and that was all that mattered. He didn’t care about anyone else. He didn’t have anyone else.
    A few other locals had turned up, out of respect rather than love, but none of them had known Sandra Chance or her children. Mary Gilpin was the only person who knew her at all, as a neighbour and childhood friend. The children were staying with her now, but Mary’s husband Phil had never liked children, and had been quick to involve “the authorities”. He hadn’t even come to the church.
    As the priest mentioned Mary Gilpin’s name, she looked up. Jade glanced at her, smiled sadly and looked away again. Rich didn’t react at all.
    Then the door at the back of the church creaked open. The sound seemed even louder in the stillmoment of silence. Rich looked around. He stared at the man who stepped quietly into the church and closed the door behind him.
    Rich watched the man cross himself and go to the nearest pew at the back of the church. He was a big man, but he moved quietly and easily. When he sat, there was a stillness about him, but also a contained strength. He looked about forty, with a rugged, experienced face and short blond hair. He was wearing a black suit and might have passed unnoticed and unremarked in a crowd except, Rich saw, for the man’s eyes. They were blue – like Rich’s own – and moved in a slow arc, as if he were taking in every detail of the church and people around him.
    Jade had also turned. She too saw the man. The man’s eyes met hers, just for a second, then moved on to Rich. The two children looked at each other and frowned. Jade squeezed her brother’s hand. She flicked her head to get her blonde hair out of her eyes, and they both knelt to pray.
    The cold autumn sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows of the tombstones across the churchyard. Jade and Rich stood together a little way from the grave.
    â€œShe should have looked the right way,” Jade said. “She was always warning us, telling us to be careful. Not to be in too much of a rush.”
    â€œDon’t blame her,” Rich told her.
    â€œI’m not,” Jade protested. “It’s just…” She sniffed and looked away. “She should have looked.”
    The man from the back of the church was talking to the priest and Mrs Gilpin. There was another woman with them, a middle-aged woman with dyed hair. Rich knew she was with the Social Services. She was supposed to be looking after him and Jade until someone decided what to do with them. He couldn’t remember her name and he didn’t care.
    â€œWho is that man?” Jade said. “I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”
    Rich shrugged. “More Social Services.”
    â€œWhy are they here?” Jade said.
    â€œWe can’t stay with the Gilpins for ever.”
    Jade stared at him, her tear-stained face framed by her long blonde hair.
    Rich sighed and went on: “Didn’t you hear him last night, going on at her again about how she can’t be expected to look after us and it isn’t fair on him?”
    â€œMaybe we can go back to New York,” Jade said.“Stay with Charmaine and her family.”
    â€œYeah, right,” Rich muttered. “Like one of your old school friends is going to take us both in.”
    The woman from the Social Services was shaking the strange man’s hand. She glanced over at Rich and Jade, then walked quickly away. The man seemed to gather himself, squaring his shoulders and taking a deep breath that made his chest heave. Then he and Mrs Gilpin came over to where the twins were standing.
    â€œHello,” the man said. His voice was deep and rich, and he tried to smile. He reached his hand out towards Rich, such a natural gesture that