CHAPTER TWELVE
Martha came downstairs the next morning to find Mae sobbing at the table, and Peter pacing the kitchen like a caged and hungry tiger.
‘What’s going on? What has happened?’ she asked completely confused and concerned.
‘Oh, Martha.’
Mae put her head in her hands and let out a wail. Peter went over to her and rubbed her back and then began pacing again and smoking his cigarette with purpose.
‘Well?’ begged Martha. ‘What the hell has happened?’
Mae sobbed and sobbed.
‘It’s that bastard madman that’s on the loose,’ Peter said whilst still pacing, looking as though he was ready to pounce at any moment.
Martha looked at them both.
‘He has struck again. A woman from this village. A friend of Mae’s.’
Martha gulped.
‘How bad is it?’ she said, already knowing the answer.
‘T
