The Liar's Promise by Mark Tilbury

The Liar's Promise by Mark Tilbury

Author:Mark Tilbury [Tilbury, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books


27

‘Can you hear me, Chloe?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you nice and warm?’

‘Yes.’

‘I want you to imagine you are standing at the top of ten large stone steps leading down into a beautiful garden.’

‘Okay.’

‘There’s a handrail to hold onto. Can you see it?’

‘Yes.’

‘We’re going to walk down the steps now. I will count each step. As I do so, I want you to concentrate on my voice. Deeper and deeper down, until we reach the garden. Okay?’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘Hold the rail tightly. Ready?’

‘Yes.’

Westwood counted down from ten to one with a five second pause between each number. With each step, he told Chloe she was going into deeper and deeper levels of consciousness.

King caught his attention with the pad. On it, written in barely legible writing: How does she even understand that???

Westwood grabbed the pad and scrawled. Because I’m not talking to her four-year-old brain. I’m talking to a much deeper level of consciousness.

King snatched the pad back, seemed about to write something else, then put the pencil down.

Westwood returned his attention to the child. ‘Okay, Chloe. I want you to step into the garden. Can you see all the lovely flowers?’

‘Yes.’

‘All the pretty pinks, blues, yellows and reds?’

‘Yes.’

‘This is where God lives. This is where he answers prayers. We’re going to walk through the garden and sit by a lovely lake.’

‘Okay.’

Westwood walked her through the garden and sat her down at the edge of the lake. ‘Isn’t this the most wonderful water? So clear? So blue?’

‘Like my eyes.’

‘Just like your eyes. Can you see all the fish swimming in it?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re safe here, Chloe. I won’t let any harm come to you. You see the bridge leading across the lake?’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘In a minute, we will walk across it.’

‘Where to?’

‘A place where you used to live before you were born. But don’t worry, we can come back any time. Is that all right with you?’

‘I…’

‘It doesn’t matter for now. Let’s just enjoy the water for a while. Go for a paddle if you want. Would you like that?’

‘Yes.’

Westwood looked at King and put a thumb in the air. King returned the gesture with a look that spoke of sour taste.

After a few moments, Westwood spoke to Chloe again. ‘Is the water nice?’

‘Uh-huh.’ Chloe kicked her legs. Her feet hit against Mel’s shins, but her mother didn’t respond.

King held up the pad again. Can’t we just cut to the chase?

Westwood shook his head.

Chloe’s eyes darted left and right beneath the lids. ‘I don’t want to go across the bridge.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m scared.’

‘There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m here to protect you.’

‘But—’

‘God won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise.’

King stared at Chloe, shaking his head. ‘I knew this was—’

Westwood rounded on him and shoved a finger against his lips so hard he jabbed a nostril. ‘Shush.’

King closed his mouth, but his eyes did their level best to carry on the conversation.

‘Chloe?’

‘Yes?’

‘I know this seems scary. But I’ll be right there with you.’

‘What about the Tall Man?’

Westwood hesitated. ‘Who?’

Chloe pushed herself back against Mel. ‘He’s… bad.’

Westwood ignored the pad King was waving at him.



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