She ran through into the hall and stood outside Tom’s room, staring in. The little boy was asleep, the night light burning steadily on the table by the window. ‘Let him sleep, Joss.’ Luke came up behind her and peered through the door. He put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Come on, love, you’re overwrought. Let it be. Come to bed and I’ll get you some supper.’
The shadow was there again – by the window in its usual place. Her mouth went dry; she stared, not daring to take her eyes off it. It was moving. Moving towards the child’s cot. She could see the shape distinctly now – a man’s shape, a tall, broad-shouldered man, his figure bulked grotesquely by some kind of breast plate beneath the flowing cloak.
‘The tin man!’ She didn’t realise she had spoken out loud. She turned and caught at Luke’s arm. ‘Look! You don’t believe me? Look, for God’s sake! Get him. Get Tom before it’s too late!’
Luke put his hands on her arms. ‘Joss – ’
The shadow was closer now, nearly at the cot. It was bending – reaching out …
With a scream Joss flung herself into the room. She could feel it – a solid presence between her and Tom. Frantically she reached into the cot and grabbed the small boy by the arm. Hauling him out bodily she flailed out at the figure behind her. ‘Go away! Leave us alone! Luke!’
Above Tom’s screams she could hear Luke’s voice, but she couldn’t reach him. The figure was between her and the door. In her arms, Tom’s cries were piercing. Across the landing she could hear Ned crying too.
Clutching Tom against her chest she tried to run towards the door. Something was holding her back. Something was trying to snatch Tom from her.
‘Joss!’ Lyn’s voice reached her through the screams. ‘Joss, give him to me!’
Lyn was there somewhere. Lyn was trying to help.
She stared round frantically fighting her way through the blue folds of the swirling cloak, feeling a mailed hand on her arm, the fingers biting into her flesh as she clung to the screaming child.
She was losing him; she could feel her hold slipping. The strength of the man was too much for her. ‘Luke!’ Her frantic sob was drowned by Tom’s screams as he was wrenched from her arms, and then suddenly it was all over. The figure had gone.
Joss collapsed on the floor sobbing. ‘Tom …’
‘I’ve got him, Joss.’ Lyn’s voice was tight with fear.
‘Take Tom downstairs, Lyn, and get in the car. Now.’ Luke was standing over Joss. He pulled her to her feet. ‘What the hell were you playing at? You nearly killed that child! I saw you do it! I saw you! What the hell is the matter with you, Joss? You should be in hospital. You’re not fit to look after the children.’ His voice was shaking. ‘Lyn’s right. I should have listened to her weeks ago. I’m sorry, darling, but I’m not taking any more risks. I’m taking the children. Now. Do you understand? Are you listening to me, Joss?’ He caught her arms and dragged her round to face him. ‘I’m sorry, darling. I know you’re not yourself. But I can’t risk this happening again.’
‘Luke?’ She was staring at him. ‘Luke, what are you talking about – ’
He stared at her, then with a sigh he let her go. ‘I suggest you have a good night’s sleep. Then if you’ve any sense you’ll ring Simon in the morning and get him to sort you out. Once I’ve got the children away safely I’ll come back and we’ll decide what to do.’
He strode out of the nursery and across into Ned’s little bedroom. Scooping a pile of clothes and nappies into a bag he lifted the screaming baby out of his bed. ‘Go to sleep, Joss. Have some rest. We’ll sort this out tomorrow.’
‘Luke!’ She was standing staring at him in bewilderment. ‘Luke, what are you doing?’
‘I’m taking the children away, Joss. Now. Before you hurt one of them really badly. I didn’t believe Lyn. I wouldn’t let her ring Simon. But she was right. It was you all along.’
‘Luke –’ Her knees had turned to cotton wool. She couldn’t run after him. All the strength had drained out of her. ‘Luke, wait – ’
For a moment his face softened. ‘I’ll come back, Joss. Later. When we’ve taken the boys to Janet’s. I promise, darling.’
Then he had gone. She heard his footsteps, running down the stairs and then there was silence.
‘Luke.’ It was a whisper. She stared round the empty nursery, the silence somehow more shocking after the noise of the children’s screams. The flame of the night light flickered a little and steadied. Her own shadow, humped and grotesque in the candlelight crouched against the wall near the cot, huge and menacing. She stared at it in confusion, hugging her dressing gown round her. In her left slipper the blood from her cut foot oozed steadily through the soft sheepskin, staining it red.
‘Luke?’ The small, querulous cry of protest had no strength. ‘Luke, don’t leave me.’
She heard the sound of the car clearly. Outside in the drive the headlights arced across the frosted trees for a moment and then they disappeared in the direction of the village.
Tom’s favourite teddy bear was still lying discarded in the cot. He would never get to sleep without it. Picking it up Joss stared down at the silky brown fur and small beady eyes. It was wearing a yellow knitted jumper. Hugging it to her she sank to her knees and began to cry.