‘It’s only dangerous for some people,’ Will says, with ice in his voice. ‘People who threaten my family.’ As he speaks, Will suddenly lunges forwards and makes a grab for Moa with both his hands.
I give a squeal of alarm, tensing and splaying my fingers wide over my bump. I’d help Will, but I can’t risk hurting my baby. And I daren’t run off to fetch help, either, unwilling to leave Will alone with Fin. They both have hold of Moa, now – Fin still has her by the scruff of the neck, and Will has his hands around her midsection – and neither will let go. She’s yelping and crying in terror.
‘Look out, Will!’ I yell.
My heart is in my mouth as it looks like they’re both about to topple over, but they somehow manage to keep their balance. I exhale with relief until Fin brings his right elbow down, smashing it into Will’s face. I scream at the sharp crack of bone on bone. Will grunts in pain, but still he won’t let go of Moa. Fin goes in again for another elbow, and I know I can’t stand by anymore and watch this. I’m going to have to do something to help. I glance around for a stick, a fallen branch, a rock . . . anything, my eyes constantly darting over to Will.
Before I can act, Moa turns her head and sinks her needle-sharp teeth into Fin’s chin, making him howl in pain and let go of her neck. At the same time, Will kicks him hard in the shin. This is enough to unbalance Fin who stumbles backwards, dislodging part of the ground behind him, sending earth slithering down the cliff.
With Moa safely under his arm, Will backtracks towards me, taking my hand and pulling me further away from Fin, further away from the edge, while Fin wavers, trying to right himself, one hand over his bleeding chin, the other reaching for the wind-blown pine to his right. But he has no fingers with which to grip and the branches are too high for him to hook his elbow over. With his face screwed up in desperation, Fin turns his face towards me. We stare at one another for a moment, until, with a low rumble and hiss, the ground beneath his feet gives way and Fin disappears. One second he’s there, the next second he’s gone.
Where Fin’s shape once stood, there is now nothing but clear, blue sky, and a dissipating cloud of dust.
Screams and cries fly up from below as crowds on the packed beach witness a man fall from a hundred-foot cliff.
Instinctively, I move forward to peer over the edge – a knee-jerk reaction – fearing that Fin might make another of his miraculous escapes. But Will tugs me back and pulls me close.
‘It’s okay, Anna,’ he says. ‘It’s over. We’re safe.’
‘Are you sure?’ I pull back from Will and stare into his eyes, not daring to believe it. ‘How do you know?’
He presses his lips together and hands Moa to me. ‘Stay here,’ he says. ‘Don’t move.’
‘What? Where are you going?’
‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he calls, already sprinting away across the wild garden towards the house.
Suddenly exhausted, I do as he asks, sinking down into the scratchy grass with Moa on my lap, not daring to let her go.
As the seconds tick by, sounds still filter up from the beach. The summer crowds, the gentle ocean, jet-ski engines, motorboats, a helicopter’s blades whirring. And then . . . the sound of sirens.
Minutes later, I hear the thud of footsteps rushing towards me. I heave myself to my feet. Will has returned, his face red, his forehead slick with sweat.
‘He’s gone,’ Will says, out of breath, his eyes a little wild. ‘Fin is dead.’
‘You saw?’
He nods. ‘Someone covered him with a beach towel. Not just his body, they covered his face, too. Can you hear the sirens?’
‘He’s really gone, then.’ I exhale.
‘He’s really gone.’ Will’s voice sounds thick like he has a cold.
‘Are you okay?’ I ask.
‘Yeah,’ he nods. ‘But I think he might have broken my nose.’
‘Oh my God! We better get you to a hospital.’
‘Shh. I’m fine,’ Will says, taking Moa from my arms and kissing my forehead. ‘We’re safe, Anna. And so is this little one.’
We gaze at the tiny bundle of white fluff, her button eyes bright, her nose quivering.
‘You did good, Moa,’ I say, stroking her head. ‘You bit that nasty man.’
She sneezes in response, and Will and I smile at one another.
‘Come on.’ He takes my trembling hand and leads me back through the garden, across the emerald lawn and up the stone steps.
I see Suzy, pale and drawn at the kitchen window, her face relaxing slightly as she spots us approaching. I give her a small wave and point to the French doors, making a key-turning motion with my hand.
Suzy opens the doors and my daughter bursts gleefully out onto the patio.
‘You got Moa!’ Olivia cries, her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling.
‘Yes, sweetie,’ Will says. ‘She’s okay. Look.’ He places the puppy into Olivia’s outstretched hands and scoops the two of them into his arms.
‘Still want that iced coffee?’ I ask my husband.
He smiles. ‘Yeah, why not.’
~
If this book kept you turning the pages, you might enjoy one of Shalini’s other novels:
The Secret Mother
a chilling psychological thriller
Tessa Markham comes home to find a little boy in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children.
Not anymore.
She doesn’t know who the child is or how he got there.
Now under suspicion for snatching the boy, Tessa must fight to prove her innocence. But how can she convince everyone she’s not guilty when even those closest to her are questioning the truth? And when Tessa doesn’t even trust herself…
~
The Girl from the Sea
a psychological thriller with a killer twist
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has a perfect life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
~
The Best Friend
a gripping psychological thriller
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . . Wrong.
Louisa’s new best friend has it all – the house, the status, the money. But she’s also hiding a dark secret. And as Louisa is drawn deeper into her friend’s life, events take a chilling turn . . .
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Be the first to hear about Shalini’s new releases here
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Note from the Author:
‘Thank you for reading my novel. If you enjoyed The Millionaire’s Wife, maybe you’d be kind enough to tell your friends about it and consider posting a short review on Amazon or elsewhere online. Thanks so much.’
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Acknowledgements
Massive thanks to my husband Pete for giving great feedback and suggestions. And for making the kids’ dinner when I ‘just have to finish writing this bit.’ It wouldn’t be the same book without you.
Thank you again to my wonderful content editor, Jessica Dall from Red Adept Editing. Your notes, as always, are detailed, insightful and brilliant. My favourite parts are the smiley faces :)
Thanks to Simon Tucker from Covered Book Designs for creating another great cover, and for always being so lovely to work with.
I’m thankful for my beta readers Julie Carey, Amara Gillo, Maryjo English and Suzy Turner, whose feedback and typo-spotting was invaluable. Thanks also to my fab Street Team – your support and opinions are wonderful as ever.
I’d also like to mention Tracy Fenton and Helen Boyce from The Book Club, and David Gilchrist and Caroline Maston from UK Crime Book Club who have all been instrumental in spreading the word and with feedback and support. Their members are wonderful and I feel privileged to be part of such a lovely, bookish family. Thank you!
Other people I’d like to thank for their support and wonder
ful words of encouragement: Neil Nagarkar, John Gillo, Sarah Dalton, Mandy Cowley, Jaz Hunt, Kelly New, Bev Price, Sarah Mackins, Dan Boland, Billy Boland and Jess. Finally, to all my readers and reviewers, love and thanks always.
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About the Author
Shalini Boland lives with her husband, two children and their dog in Dorset, England where she writes novels (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of washing).
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Connect with Shalini online:
Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook Page
Twitter
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The Millionaire's Wife Page 21