The Summer That Changed Us by Cathy Bramley

Author:Cathy Bramley [Bramley, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409186830
Published: 2022-03-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Grace, Robyn and Katie stared at the newly delivered envelope on the table in front of them. They’d met on the beach as planned but Grace had persuaded them both up to her terrace to sit in comfort and out of the cool sea breeze with a gin and tonic and a bowl of pistachio nuts. She did feel for Katie; it was obvious the poor girl was terrified about what fresh hell the latest envelope might contain.

Katie’s hands were shaking. ‘I feel sick; I don’t think I can open it.’

‘You do look pale.’ Grace glanced around for a suitable receptacle, just in case. The bucket Robyn had given her for collecting sea glass was at the top of the steps. If needs be, Grace could tip out the glass and hand it to her in a flash. ‘Take your time,’ she said, ‘and remember you’re not in this by yourself.’

‘Deep breaths,’ said Robyn, reaching a hand across the table to squeeze Katie’s arm. She looked almost as pale as Katie, Grace noticed. There were dark smudges under her eyes and her face had a pinched look.

Katie inhaled and exhaled a couple of times and picked up the envelope. ‘OK, here goes.’

She peeled back the flap carefully and took out two sheets of paper. ‘A letter and then some sort of map.’

‘What does it say?’ Robyn leaned forward.

Katie cleared her throat and read the short note out loud and then put it down so the other two could read it themselves.

This is what we want you to do. Five thousand pounds cash to be put in a holdall and left in a waste bin near the bandstand in Jubilee Park (see page two for directions) and you’ll never hear from us again. Don’t waste your time going to the police, the minute we suspect that you’re not playing ball, the pictures will be sent to the press. Do as you’re told, and this will soon be over.

The second page showed a map of Jubilee Park with a spot circled in red marker pen beside the bandstand. Scribbled at the edge of the page, also in red pen, was the time and date for the drop-off. It was two weeks from today.

‘Five thousand pounds!’ Robyn gasped.

‘Who’s doing this?’ Katie said, picking absently at a discarded pistachio shell. ‘Who’d want to blackmail me?’

‘Whoever it is has had access to the pictures of you,’ Grace said. ‘Apart from the photographer and the assistant, can you think of anyone else?’

Katie shook her head. ‘I can’t think of anyone. Dad picked me up from school that day and took me home. Mum made me show her, but I begged her not to let Dad see them. We kept them in the envelope for a while. Dad was adamant that we should keep them as evidence. But one day when they were out, I burned them.’

‘What if the photographer passed away and whoever has gone through his stuff found all his old photos and has decided to exploit the models again?’ said Robyn.

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