How to Fall (17 page)

‘Shut up. You’re wrong.’

I glanced at Claudia and Coco. ‘From the looks on their faces, I’m on the money.’

‘You don’t know anything,’ Claudia said. ‘You should be scared.’

‘Of you?’ I pointed at Natasha. ‘Of
her
?’

‘You do know what happened here, don’t you?’
Claudia
had finished her cigarette and now she was clawing at the packet to take out another, her hands shaking as she put it in her mouth. I looked from her to Coco and then straight at Natasha, trying to read the expressions on their faces. Defiance, mainly, but there was a strange undertone of fear. I needed to tread carefully. Literally, looking at the edge of the cliff, which was all too close.

‘I know Freya fell here. Do you know how it happened?’

Instead of answering, Claudia looked at Natasha, who glowered.

‘You’ve said enough, Claude. Don’t tell her anything else.’

‘Yes, trot along, Claude. Time to get back to your stable.’ It was rude but I was fed up with the three of them.

‘You don’t get to talk to her like that,’ Natasha said. She took a step closer to me and her face was white. ‘You don’t get to talk to me like that.’

‘Nats . . .’ Coco was looking terrified.

‘I’ll show you how scared you should be.’ Before I could move, Natasha shot out a hand and grabbed a handful of my hair.

‘What are you doing?’ I’d never felt less like laughing, but I managed it. ‘Don’t tell me you brought your
scissors
on the off-chance you’d get to use them.’

‘Come on.’ She yanked on the hair she was holding and I couldn’t help it: I stumbled towards her. It felt as if the whole lot was going to come out. She tugged again. ‘This way, bitch. Walkies.’

‘Let go.’ I was holding onto my hair. With my other hand I dug my nails into her skin, but it had zero effect. I kept them short – useless for self-defence – but even if they’d been talons she wouldn’t have noticed. Her face was white, her lips bloodless. I’d read about mad people being able to perform incredible feats of strength, and Natasha certainly looked insane. ‘Get off me.’

She pulled as hard as she could, leaning back, and I took another two steps. It was like being in a nightmare – nothing I did or said made any difference to her. I was vaguely aware that Coco and Claudia had moved to stand together, a little way off. They weren’t joining in but they weren’t trying to stop her either, and I wondered if they were as surprised as me at how strong Natasha seemed to be. I also wondered if they knew what she intended to do. The direction she was taking made me think it wasn’t going to be something I’d like, because we were moving towards the edge of the cliff, step by miserable step.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I want you to see what you should be scared of. I want you to see what Freya saw.’

‘I thought it was night-time when she died. Shouldn’t we wait until after dark?’ My smart mouth was going to get me killed, I thought. Really, genuinely dead. I should be begging her to let go, pleading with her, grovelling so she could see I was completely in her power, but something in me wouldn’t give in. Pride, probably. Which was stupid. She wasn’t stopping and the edge of the cliff was getting closer. Apparently Natasha wasn’t as scared of heights as I was. Or she was too angry to care. Or she was straightforward crazy. Whatever the reason, she didn’t seem to be anything like as worried as I thought she should be. The ground sloped a little, which didn’t help. Unless someone came to the rescue in the next five seconds, I was going to be in serious danger. Scared? I’d have been stupid not to be.

Four and a half seconds later, to my eternal relief, the cavalry showed up.

‘Let her go.’

It was a male voice, deep and authoritative, and I felt Natasha’s grip slacken for a second as she turned to see who it was. With one part of my brain I recognized Will, thanked God for his very existence, regretted ever having disliked him and hoped he had
a
plan – more or less all at the same time. The rest of my mind was focused on escape, apart from the bit that was wondering whether I’d smash myself to bits on the way down the cliff or just drown when I got to the bottom. I twisted away from Natasha, trying to break free while she was distracted, but I couldn’t quite manage it. My feet slipped on the loose earth and I heard pebbles and sand rattling over the edge, falling all the way to the sea. I couldn’t hear them splash into the water, but it was a long way down.

‘Natasha. Seriously. Give it a rest.’ Will sounded bored if anything, but he was moving quickly as he came towards us.

She didn’t reply, but she waited until he was a few paces away and shoved me, hard, as she let go of my hair. I was completely off balance with no hope of recovering before I fell. There was a horrible, sick moment when I didn’t know if I’d land on solid ground or fall into space, and even when I found myself sprawling on the dusty earth at Will’s feet I was terrified I might still slide down the slope and over the edge, far beyond help or rescue. I dug my fingers in and pressed my face against the grit. I think I was probably praying.

Will completely ignored me. ‘What exactly is it that you’re trying to achieve?’

‘I want her to be scared.’

‘I’d say you’ve succeeded.’

‘I have, haven’t I?’ From her voice, Natasha was exceedingly pleased with herself.

Somewhere in the distance, I heard the unmistakable sound of throwing up. I was still lying on the ground, trembling, but I risked putting my head up after a few seconds to see Coco wiping her mouth, looking ashamed. I felt very slightly better. I might be lying in the dirt but at least I hadn’t vomited. Or weed myself. Or . . . well, things could have been a lot worse.

Will’s feet moved past me and I was vaguely irritated that he hadn’t stopped to help me up. I was nowhere near ready to stand without assistance, but I was curious enough to lever myself up onto one elbow. He was between me and Natasha, and the sun was behind both of them so I couldn’t see much for squinting.

‘I think you’re finished here. Time to go home.’

‘You don’t tell me where to go, Will. You don’t even talk to me. You’re nothing,’ Natasha sneered.

‘So I’ve heard. Go on. Start walking.’ He was keeping the same conversational tone in his voice, ignoring the jibes, as if he was used to not rising to the bait.

‘What are you going to do if I don’t? Call your dad and get him to arrest me?’

‘I could. If Jess wanted to report you for assault, for instance.’

Natasha didn’t even glance at me. ‘She won’t.’

‘Maybe not.’ He paused. ‘You should still go.’

‘Why are you on her side?’

‘I’m not taking sides. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.’

‘Do I look like I’m in any danger?’ She bent away from him, her whippy body angled so she was leaning over the edge. ‘What about now?’

‘That looks more risky.’

Abruptly, she straightened up. ‘This is boring. I can’t understand why I’m talking to you and I can’t understand what you’re doing here. You’ve never seemed bothered about being a knight in shining armour before. What’s different now?’

He didn’t say anything.

‘It’s because you like her, isn’t it?’ She laughed. ‘Actually, it’s perfect. Two losers together. I should have thought of it myself. Of course you’d want to impress the new girl in town. You’ve got a chance with her. Until she finds out the truth about you.’

‘That’s really not it. Not at all.’ Will twisted to look at me but he was a shadow against the light, his face hidden. He turned back. ‘I’d say you won this round. Why don’t you quit while you’re ahead?’

‘Come on, Nats. Let’s just go.’ Claudia had an arm around Coco, who was still looking distinctly ropy.

‘Fine.’ Natasha leaned close to Will, her chest practically touching his. She couldn’t help herself. She was made to be a flirt. It still made me want to throw things at her. All I had to hand were bits of gravel, unfortunately, when what I wanted was more like a grenade.

‘It’s a shame you’re such a goody-goody,’ Natasha purred. ‘You’ll never know what you’ve been missing all these years.’

‘Herpes?’ I suggested from my position in the dust. My voice was a croak but Natasha heard it. She pushed past Will and paused beside me for a kick that caught me full on the kneecap. I hadn’t been expecting it and I grabbed onto my leg, holding it, as if that would help. The pain was too agonizing to scream, or swear. All I could do was bite my lip, turn my face into the dust again and wish I had the ability to restrain myself from making smart-arse comments.

By the time I was able to take notice of what was going on, Natasha had disappeared down the path. Claudia and Coco were following, moving more slowly. Coco glanced back as I watched. No smile, no wave, no ‘Let’s be friends’. Just a stare that was hostile and – what? – worried, maybe. As if something was
bothering
her and it was my fault. Was she embarrassed about throwing up? Upset that Natasha had gone so thoroughly loco? Whatever it was, I had the impression she wished I’d just roll off the edge and save them all a lot of trouble.

‘Was it worth it?’ Will sounded interested. He came and stood with one foot on either side of me, holding out his hand. I took it and he pulled me up. I was nose to nose with him when I got to vertical. There were worse places to be. Like splattered all over a rocky outcrop at the foot of a cliff.

‘Not completely worth it, no.’ I was still holding his hand and I leaned forward, peering over the edge. ‘Dear God, that’s a long drop.’

‘Do I dare ask why she was trying to push you over the edge?’

‘I upset her.’

‘Evidently.’

‘I attracted the attention of her on-off boyfriend. He must have a thing for blondes.’ I was still staring at the sea, hypnotized as it surged in and crept up the rock face, a little further every time, then slid away again.

‘Do you mean Ryan?’ Will pulled me back, away from the cliff, and gave me a little shove in the direction of the bench. ‘Sit down before you get into any more trouble. What does Ryan want with you?’

‘He wants to do naughty things,’ I said primly. ‘At least, he wants Natasha to think that. I get the impression they have a stormy relationship.’

‘I believe that’s true.’

I pounced. ‘You don’t know?’

‘Neither of them really confides in me.’

‘I’ve been hearing you’re the cat that walks by himself.’

‘Have you.’ It wasn’t a question; his voice was flat. He might as well have said
I don’t want to talk about it
.

I really have never learned when to say nothing. ‘Yeah, apparently you’ve got highly contagious social leprosy. I’m risking my status just sitting here with you.’

‘It won’t kill you,’ he said dryly. ‘Falling off the cliff might have done it.’

‘Might have? I don’t think it’s a maybe. No one could survive it.’

‘That’s not necessarily the case.’

‘What do you mean?’

Will shook his head. ‘Don’t change the subject. Go back to my embarrassing social condition. Who’s been talking about it? Darcy?’

‘Good guess.’

‘I can also guess she wasn’t very nice about me.’ The grey eyes were fixed on the horizon.

‘She said some nice things.’

‘Like?’

‘Like you were a good friend to Freya.’

‘She doesn’t think that. And she’d be wrong if she did.’

‘You sound bitter.’ I was staring at the side of his face, trying to read his expression and failing.

‘No, that would be guilt.’

‘Why?’

‘Lots of reasons.’

‘Details, please.’

‘Some other time,’ he said.

‘There’s no time like now.’

‘Leave it alone. Leave the whole thing alone.’ Will turned to me and his eyes were dark and narrowed in anger. ‘You don’t know when to stop, do you? You push people too far, Jess, and it’s going to get you hurt.’

‘Is that what happened to Freya?’

‘You’re nothing like her. I told you that the first time I met you.’

‘I remember,’ I said softly.

‘Natasha isn’t someone you can push around. She’s vicious. If she was a dog, you’d never walk her without a muzzle.’

‘Do you think she was just trying to scare me?’ I was
aiming
for casual but the tremor in my voice was a giveaway.

‘Probably. But she’s not in control of that temper. Her dad’s something big in banking but her parents split up years ago. She’s spoiled rotten. She never sees him – just sends him requests for money or clothes or jewellery. Her mum’s exactly like her except she doesn’t keep to one man. Far from it, in fact.’

‘You’re almost making me feel sorry for her,’ I said. ‘But not quite.’

‘You don’t have to like her, but stay away from her. Seriously, Jess. It’s too dangerous.’

‘I’m not scared of Natasha Watkins. She caught me off guard. Next time, I’ll be ready for her.’

‘You’re not listening. There can’t be a next time. I might not be around next time.’ Will was actually losing his temper, which was good, because so was I.

‘Look, I didn’t plan it. She came and found me here.’

‘And you didn’t provoke her into attacking you.’

‘I’m not going to let her bully me. Anyway, it wouldn’t have mattered what I said. She was determined to pick a fight with me.’

‘Oh, right. None of it was your fault. I see that now.’

I sighed. ‘Look, I really was minding my own business. I like it up here and I came
up
when—’
When my mum dumped me for a hot date with your dad
. ‘I came up when I had nowhere else to be. Natasha and her mates turned up unexpectedly. If it had been up to me, I would have picked somewhere less isolated for our little chat. Somewhere less high. But I wasn’t expecting her to get so punchy.’

‘She’s more than capable.’ Will leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and went back to staring out to sea. ‘I know there’s no reason for you to listen to me, but I think you need to start being more careful. I don’t think you should come up here on your own.’

‘In case Natasha comes back?’

‘In case Freya was killed.’ The last word hung in the silence for a second, a short, brutal syllable. I swallowed, and Will went on. ‘Hasn’t it occurred to you that if she was murdered, the person who did it might want you to stop dragging it all up again?’ He looked back at me, his face grave. ‘Hasn’t it occurred to you they might be willing to kill again?’