36
'So where exactly are you?'
'Place called Sheringham; it's not far from where you are.'
Elena and Joey had booked into a B&B and were walking around the seaside town when Danny called Elena's mobile.
When she answered and heard Danny's, 'It's me,' Elena couldn't stop herself from screaming, 'Danny!'
Half of Sheringham turned to stare and Elena realized she needed to be just a bit more discreet.
Before making the call, Danny told Eddie he wanted to find out if his friend had managed to hack into Fincham's e-mail. He figured any information at all might be helpful as he prepared for the rescue attempt. What he didn't tell Eddie was that, despite his brave words, he was totally petrified at the thought of what lay ahead and he desperately needed to hear Elena's voice before he set out.
Elena listened as patiently as she could while Danny told her what had happened at Meacher's house and in the hours since.
'You know Meacher's dead, don't you?' said Elena, unable to stop herself from interrupting. 'They killed him before Eddie Moyes or your granddad could speak to him.'
Danny turned to Eddie to relay the news. 'Meacher's dead. That must be why the police were at the house.'
He went back to the phone and Elena explained what she'd discovered online and how she'd made her dad drive to Norfolk in the hope of warning Fergus and Danny off.
'But I was too late. I stayed here because I hoped I'd get you online in the morning.'
'Elena, I'm gonna try and get my granddad out.'
'I knew you'd say that. I'm coming with you.'
'No, you can't.'
'Don't argue with me, Danny. You can't do it alone, and if that reporter bloke won't help, you'll need someone.'
Danny glanced towards Eddie, who tapped his watch, indicating that he was anxious to get on the road.
'But . . . but what about your dad?'
Joey was sitting on a bench, looking perfectly content as he sat in the late afternoon sunshine and smoked one of his cheroots. Elena moved a little further away and spoke quietly into the phone. 'I've been to the building society and got him five hundred quid. That's just for a start – I had to order the rest to collect tomorrow. I'll tell him I'm staying the night with you and . . . and your dad. He won't care; it'll give him a chance to start spending his money.'
Danny hesitated. 'Are . . . are you sure. It'll be—'
'Dangerous. Yeah, I guessed that. Where do we meet?'
'I'll ask Eddie. But can you go to the shops for me first?'
'Shops?'
'There are a few things we might need.'
They rendezvoused just outside Sheringham. Joey was happy enough to let his daughter go off for the night, especially after listening to Elena's elaborate lie about how Danny and his 'dad' had got back together after a long separation – 'just like we have'.
'You see, that's what I was worried about. Danny had come all this way to Norfolk and there was a message at Foxcroft saying his dad couldn't see him. But everything's fine, now they've met up.'
'Mmm, I understand, darling,' said Joey, lighting another cheroot. 'But that other place we visited, what was that all about?'
Elena thought quickly. 'That was . . . that was where I thought Danny's dad was living. He's a . . . he's a vicar, just started at a new parish. But I got the wrong village.'
'A man of the cloth, eh? Well, that's fine then, darling. I couldn't leave you in safer hands. So, we meet back in London tomorrow and—'
'And go to the building society, yes, Dad. I'll be there.'
While Elena bought the things Danny had ordered, Joey sat in the car and thought about the different ways he could enjoy making inroads into the five hundred pounds burning a hole in his pocket.
They met Danny and Eddie in a lay-by soon after. Joey pulled the hire car to a standstill and walked back with Elena to where the old Sierra was parked.
'Evening, reverend,' said Joey, extending a hand to Eddie as he got out of the car.
'This is my dad, Joey,' said Elena, spotting Eddie's bemused look. 'I told him all about your new parish, Reverend Watts.'
'My new—?'
'Travelling incognito, are you, vicar?' smiled Joey.
'Incog—?'
'No dog-collar,' said Joey. 'Well, I'm all in favour of the modern ways.' He glanced over at Danny, who was looking equally confused, and then turned back to Eddie. 'Glad to see you and the boy have made things right, reverend, just like me and my darling Elena. And I can see the family resemblance. He's the image of you.'
'Well, we'd better get off, then,' said Elena hurriedly. She went to Joey and kissed him and then nodded to Danny to get into the car.
'Right, bye then,' said Eddie, as he climbed back into the driver's seat. 'And, er . . . God bless you.'
'Praise the Lord,' called Joey as the Sierra stuttered into life.
Elena waved through the back window as the car pulled away from the lay-by and then turned and smiled at Danny.
'Don't ask,' she said.