Darkness Falls (52 page)

Gabriel nodded.

‘So what are you going to do?’

‘I’m going to stay with my Granddad. I can’t go back to Highgate right now.’

They walked a little further, finally sitting down on a low tomb covered in green moss. They were hidden from the path, but they had a wonderful view of London, spread out under the white sky before then. He kissed her then. Not on the lips, but on her neck, on her fingertips, her cheek. He stroked her hair from her face and looked into her eyes.

‘Are you happy now?’ he asked her.

‘Happy? I’m always happy when I’m with you,’ she said.

‘Don’t duck the question,’ he laughed. ‘Remember all that stuff about living in the moment, savouring the beautiful feelings when they’re there?’

She pushed him on the shoulder.

‘I’ve given you my undying love, what more do you want?’ she smiled.

‘Un
dying
love?’ he asked. ‘Is that a joke?’

‘Well, you know what I mean.’

Gabriel wrapped his arms around her.

‘Hmm, I’m not sure,’ he said with a grin, ‘Why don’t you show me?’

Thanks to Avril Horner, Emeritus Professor of English at Kingston University for taking the time to give a one-person tutorial on the gothic and to Dr Ann Rowe for the introduction and her own invaluable feedback (along with Poirot-style guesswork on what’s in store in book three). Thanks also go to Dr Jim, as always, for his road map to the dark side and ‘Minty’ Johnston (no relation) for police procedure and intrigue in Pat Val.

Big love to Eugenie Furniss – so lucky to have someone with such passion and commitment in the Ravenwood corner. Thanks also to Cathryn ‘M’ Summerhayes for stepping into the breach and to Claudia for tea and efficiency. Special thanks go to Gillian Redfearn whose world class editing made this book ten times better (NB. it’s not really her bookshop, although I suspect she’d like to own one just like it). Equal thanks to the rest of the Orion team: marketing guru Mark Rusher (and his teen Eclipsers), Jon and Jon, Louise and Nina at Indigo and especially Jennifer McMenemy for her tireless mousework.

Double thanks to JK, Dr Alan Thompson, Kathryn Rowe, Scott and Tom, Will and Far, Ted for actually reading it, Lucy Fleming Brown for keeping it real and Diggo for ‘judo moves’ when deadlines loomed. And last but definitely not least love and gratitude go to Linda Butt for her limitless kindness and generosity just when it’s needed the most.

• Cover
  
• Dedication
  
• Title Page
  
• Prologue
  
• Part One
  
  • Chapter One
    
  • Chapter Two
    
  • Chapter Three
    
  • Chapter Four
    
  • Chapter Five
    
  • Chapter Six
    
  • Chapter Seven
    
  • Chapter Eight
    
  • Chapter Nine
    
  • Chapter Ten
    
  • Chapter Eleven
    
  • Chapter Twelve
    
  • Chapter Thirteen
    
  • Chapter Fourteen
    
  • Chapter Fifteen
    
• Part Two
  
  • Chapter Sixteen
    
  • Chapter Seventeen
    
  • Chapter Eighteen
    
  • Chapter Nineteen
    
  • Chapter Twenty
    
  • Chapter Twenty-One
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Two
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Three
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Four
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Five
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Six
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Eight
    
  • Chapter Twenty-Nine
    
  • Chapter Thirty
    
  • Chapter Thirty-One
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Two
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Three
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Four
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Five
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Six
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Seven
    
  • Chapter Thirty-Eight
    
• Acknowledgements
  
• Also by Mia James
  
• Copyright