murder at the beach

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Murder at the Beach

By Clare Whitmell

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© 2015 Clare Whitmell, All rights reserved

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SATURDAY MORNING

When you wake up on a perfect summer’s morning, younever imagine that the day will end in a murder. Especiallywhen you’re only 16 years old, and on holiday with yourfamily.

Actually, ‘family’ isn’t the right word for us. I don’t haveone of those big, happy families where the kids never argueand where the parents go out to work or send the kids offto school with their perfect packed lunches. I don’tremember my mother at all, though her brother - my UncleRay - tells me I look just like her. Ray has always lookedafter me and my brother, Luke. I ’ve got a Dad somewhereas well, but he and my mum split up before I was evenborn.

Ray is in his own world a lot of the time, and Lukepre y much ignores me. He’s almost 18 and acts like he’salready the most important person on the planet. But forthis holiday, at least, Luke has to look after me. Ray’s toldhim that he’s got to keep an eye on me while he’s workingand make sure I don’t get into any trouble. We all knowthat I ’m a bit out of control. I ’ve already had two


that I ’m a bit out of control. I ’ve already had two

suspensions from school for bad behaviour.

But when I woke up that Saturday morning, I felt thingscould change. I was excited to be at the music festival andto be at the beach while the rest of my friends were ge ingbored back home. "It isn’t every day that you get to seemusic for free," Ray said when he got the job as soundengineer for the band. I guess he was just pleased that hedidn’t have to pay for us to go on holiday this year.

The band are old friends of his. They’re called “LostCause” and they’ve known each other since art college.Ray stayed friends with them even after my Mum diedand he started looking after us. I think Ray wishes hecould be free and easy like them, always on the road,playing at one festival after another, but he’s got us and hasa boring job in an office.

But this morning, I was in trouble. Everyone hated meand it was all my stupid fault.


THURSDAY

It started two days ago, on Thursday. We arrived in theevening, when the sun was just se ing over the sea.

"Haven Beach!" I shouted. "We’re finally here!"

Ray drove up to the reception block and jumped out ofthe van to get the chalet keys. Luke said nothing, juststaring out at the sea. I kept quiet. Luke needs time to findthe right words sometimes.

Finally he said, "What Ray said about keeping an eye onyou…"

"Yeah?" I answered. I knew what Luke was thinking.

"I don’t want you hanging around me all the time."

It was time for me to make a deal. "It’s simple Luke.Give me some money and I’ll stay away."

Luke got out his wallet and handed me a note. I put myfinger up for a second one. He sighed and gave me themoney, which I managed to put into my jeans pocket just


money, which I managed to put into my jeans pocket just

before Ray came back out of reception.

I got out of the van. "Can we just go and have a quicklook, Ray?" I asked.

I loved Haven Beach as soon as I saw it. I t was quitebusy in the early evening with some people si ing on thebeach in small groups, and others playing a loud game offrisbee. We crossed the road separating the reception blockfrom the beach, walking towards a bar. We gave it a quicklook as we walked past. A few older men were in there,glasses of beer in front of them, while a couple of guysRay’s age were playing on the fruit machines.

We carried on walking along the beach to where somemen were building the stage for the band. It was a greatspot for live music with the sea behind and soft sand fordancing. The band were playing on Saturday night, with aDJ set after them. The beach ended just past the stage,where huge black rocks stood in the sea water. We turnedback towards the road. In front of us, on the opposite sideof the road, was a large building on two floors. It lookedlike an old house, but without any glass in the windows ora front door. A path led up to it from the road.

Two people were in front of the house. A thin girl wholooked a few years older than me and a much older guy,maybe about Ray’s age. Even though it was still quite


maybe about Ray’s age. Even though it was still quite

warm, he was wearing a leather jacket and jeans. The girllooked cold in cut-off shorts and a black, long-sleeved t-shirt. She had the whitest legs I ever saw. They weretalking together, the man speaking fast while he stared ather. She was looking at the ground as if she was unhappyabout what he was saying. The man looked at us as wepassed and put his arm out to stop us.

"Well, well, well," he said, without smiling. "Look who’shere." He looked at each of us like a cat looks at a mouse.

"What are you doing here, Jake?" Ray asked. "I heardyou got five years."

Five years? So this man Jake had been in prison for fiveyears. I ’d never met a criminal before. But he seemedordinary-looking. He was like one of those men who’sgood-looking when they’re young, but then stops takingcare of themselves. He was a big guy, but he was going abit fat around the stomach. His hair was dirty, and he hada beard - like the one Ray has if he doesn’t shave for acouple of days.

"They let me out early for good behaviour, didn’t they!”he said with a smile on his face. "This your daughter Ray?Very grown up now, isn’t she. Last time I saw her she wasjust a child."


I didn’t like the way he was talking. He was looking meup and down like he was in a shop trying to decide if hewas going to buy something.

"No, not my daughter. Don’t even look at her Jake. I ’mwarning you."

"Or what Ray? What are you gonna do?"

The thin girl stepped forward.

"For god’s sake Jake. Leave her alone. She’s just a girl,can’t you see?"

Jake laughed and smiled - a thin smile that didn’t reachhis eyes.

"Just joking… Hey, let’s get together soon. We’ve got alot of catching up to do. Come round anytime."

Ray nodded and the man let us walk past.

When we got to the campsite between the old house andthe reception block, Ray put his hand on my arm.

"Kate," he said. "Don’t go into that house, OK?"

Ray’s normally a pre y tolerant guy and gives me a lot


Ray’s normally a pre y tolerant guy and gives me a lot

of freedom, so when he’s strict about something I try totake notice.

Luke was curious. "What’s up Ray? What’s theproblem?"

"I just don’t want either of you going in there. You can’ttrust Jake."

We walked back to the van in silence and he drove itthrough the campsite to our chalet where we unpacked allhis sound equipment. There was a lot of it and it took upmost of the lounge area of the chalet. I was exhausted afterour long day, but excited about the rest of our weekend.


FRIDAY

It’s impossible to sleep for very long when you’re in themiddle of a festival. I could hear people in the campsite infront of us, playing music, talking and laughing. I wasexcited about the day ahead of me. Luke and I could goand explore the campsite a bit more and hang out on thebeach. Ray had to do some soundchecks, and the bandwere arriving in the afternoon. It was going to be a goodday. Maybe I could even meet some people my age andleave Luke alone.

Ray was in the tiny kitchen, making coffee. He didn’tlook as if he’d slept well, either. He had dark bags underhis eyes and his beard made him look old and untidy.

"Ray? Are you going to tell me who that Jake is?"

"Look, I told you. I don’t want you going there," hereplied.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But who is he?"

"He’s just not someone I want you around. He’s badnews, Kate."


"So how come you know him, Ray?" Luke asked.

"Oh alright!" Ray was ge ing annoyed. "There isn’t a lotto say. I knew Jake years ago, that’s all."

"Yeah, but what happened?" I asked.

"Well, people said he was into drugs - really heavy stuff."

"So?" I asked.

Ray sighed. "One night there was a huge fight and a guywas killed. Jake went to prison and I thought he was stillthere. I was really surprised to see him again yesterday."

"Wow, that’s heavy," Luke said.

"Don’t worry Ray," I said. "I won’t go anywhere nearhim - promise."

Ray looked at Luke. "You too, Luke. Just don’t getmixed up with him or any of his crowd."

"No worries," Luke answered.

The morning was cold and windy and we were happy tochill out at the chalet in the morning. Luke wanted to use


chill out at the chalet in the morning. Luke wanted to use

his new video camera and he thought it was funny to filmme doing stupid stuff like ge ing a coke out of the fridge.After a while it got really annoying.

"Can’t you turn that off?"

"Yeah later - I ’m still trying to learn all the functions," hesaid.

After lunch we were beginning to get bored, so weheaded off towards the beach.

"How many people do you think are here?" I askedLuke.

"Dunno. About 100, I suppose, but Ray said thesefestivals get very big. Today a lot more people will arrive Ireckon."

We got to the bar and Luke remembered our deal fromthe day before. "Look, I ’m going to have a game of pool.Meet you back here in a couple of hours?"

"OK Luke," I said. "See you later."

I walked down towards the sea. It was a blue-greycolour, and a bright white where there were waves. Itwould be nice to take my flip-flops off and walk in the cool


would be nice to take my flip-flops off and walk in the cool

for a while, but before I got to the sea, I noticed the girlfrom yesterday. Jake’s girlfriend. She was si ing, facingout to sea, with her hands holding her knees.

"Hey!" I said.

She studied me for a second, as if she couldn’t rememberexactly when she last saw me. "Oh hi! You’re the girl withRay."

"Yeah, he’s my uncle," I replied.

The girl took her hands away from her knees andstretched out her legs. She was wearing the same cut-offsand t-shirt from the day before. "Trying to get a tan…What’s your name, anyway?"

"Kate," I answered. "You?"

"Terri."

She didn’t look very well. Her skin was pale but redunder her eyes. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, and Icould see marks on her neck and throat. She saw melooking and scratched the marks. "Oh yeah, Jake…Sometimes he gets in a bad mood. But he’s harmless really.Like a big dog - all bark but no bite."


I was curious to find out more about her after what Raysaid. "So are you his girlfriend?" I asked.

"Yeah, sort of. I t’s a bit complicated. He looks after me,you see. When I met him I was in a bad way. I didn’t haveanyone else, but he helped me and I stayed with him. Inany case, he loves me. That’s all, really."

Ray once told me that you know if someone is lying bylooking at their eyes. If they look upwards before theyspeak, it’s a sign they aren’t telling the truth. But Terri waslooking straight at me. I trusted her. In fact, maybe wewere quite similar. Like Terri I didn’t have anyone else. IfRay wasn’t there for me I don’t know where I ’d go.

Suddenly she smiled. A big wide smile that made herlook my age. "What about you Kate? Have you got aboyfriend?"

"No," I replied, but I could feel myself going red in theface.

Terri noticed. "Go on! Who is he?"

"No, nobody… Well, I like him but he doesn’t evenknow I exist." That was true. I liked a boy at school, but hehung out with an older crowd and I was just Luke’s kidsister to him.


"Never mind!" Terri said, like she understood what itfeels like when you like someone but they don’t even knowwho you are. "Lets go and get a coke."

"Actually, just stay here for a bit." I was worried aboutgoing back into the bar where Luke was playing pool. If hesaw me with Jake’s girlfriend he might tell Ray.

"So, are you also here for the festival?" I asked.

Terri looked at me a bit suspiciously. I could see hertrying to decide how much to tell me. "Well, in summer wedo a lot of festivals and raves. Jake’s friends with thefestival organiser and he does all the security. You know,stopping people from climbing onto the stage, making sureeveryone’s got a ticket. That sort of thing. We’re staying inthat old house over there. Jake hates camping."

"Couldn’t you get a chalet like us?" I asked.

Terri looked shocked. "Huh! No! That costs money! Inany case, nobody lives in that house and we can haveparties and stuff whenever we want. People just come overand chill out with us for a bit. Hey! Why don’t you comeover now? You can come and meet some of the securityguys."


"Er, no, um, I can’t. Ray told me to stay away from, er,from…" I stopped just in time. I didn’t want to insult Terriand repeat all the bad things Ray said about her boyfriend,but Terri didn’t seem to mind.

"Ah, don’t worry! Look, Jake isn’t here today. He’s goneinto town to take care of some business. He probably won’tbe back until tomorrow morning. C’mon! I ’ve made itreally nice in there."

It sounded cool. Terri was the nicest person on the beach- in fact she was the only person I ’d met on the beach, andit would be cool to tell Luke that while he was playing poolwith losers in the bar I was hanging out with the securityguys.

But just at that moment I saw Luke coming out of thebar. Before I could turn away he saw me and shouted outto me.

"Kate! You’d be er come here. They’ve arrived!"

"Aw, sorry Terri. That’s Luke, my brother. I ’d be er go."

"OK - maybe another time." Terri tried to look as if shedidn’t care, but I was sure she was disappointed. Maybeshe didn’t have any friends on the beach either and she waslonely.


"I promise!" I said, to try and make things be er.

"Who’s that you were talking to, Kate?" Luke askedwhen I got back to him. Luke’s eye-sight is ge ing worse,but he refuses to wear glasses.

"It’s a girl called Terri. You don’t know her," I said. Lukegave me a funny look, but I was pleased that I had a secrethe didn’t know about.

"The band just arrived. We’d be er go and say hello."

"What’s the bar like, Luke?" I asked.

"Don’t ask!" he replied. "Full of bikers. They weren’tvery friendly."

We got back to our chalet, where an old campervan wasparked. It was in a terrible condition, with paint coming offand dirty rear windows.

Ray was cha ing and laughing with a couple of guysfrom the band as I walked up. "Hey babe! You rememberthese guys, don’t you? This is Sean - you remember - thesinger?" he continued.

Sean nodded to me. I remember that I used to be


Sean nodded to me. I remember that I used to be

terrified of Sean. He was a giant, with long hair in aponytail. Ray isn’t a small guy, but Sean looked as if hecould push Ray over with one of his hands. Sean smiledand put a huge arm around Ray’s shoulders. Ray lookedreally happy.

"And this is Rob, the guitarist," he continued, noddingtowards a serious-looking guy next to Sean. Rob was halfthe size of Sean, and was wearing jeans that looked twosizes too big for him, and an old Led Zeppelin t-shirt.

"Hiya," I said. I was going to offer to help them withtheir stuff when my feet suddenly left the ground. Twostrong arms picked me up from behind and spun mearound in the air.

"Yo Kate! Look how tall you’ve got!"

"Jem!" I screamed. Jem’s always been my favourite ofRay’s friends because he treats me with respect and asksmy opinion. Most guys of Ray’s age think I ’m just a stupidgirl, but Jem takes the time to really listen.

“How you doing babycakes?" he asked. I really like Jem,but sometimes he uses these stupid words. Luke overheardand laughed.

"Babycakes! Babycakes!" he repeated. "That’s a good


"Babycakes! Babycakes!" he repeated. "That’s a good

one."

"Oh shut up Luke!" I replied.

"Alright you two!" Ray said, but I could tell he wasn’treally bothered.

"Do you fancy tuning my bass?" Jem asked me. "I ’ve stillgot the same one and you always get the best tuning out ofit…"

I went red with pride. "Sure, Jem, Are you practisingtoday?"

He shook his head. "Nah - tomorrow. We’re doing thesound check around five. Now we’re just going to set upthe tent and chill out."

I was pleased that the band were sleeping in the tent andnot in the chalet. I t was already crowded enough with usthree and all Ray’s stuff. We’d also have to put all theinstruments in there after the band played, as it was theonly place that we could lock.

A Land Rover pulled up.

"Ricky!" shouted Sean. "Get over here and have a beer!"


Two guys got out of the Land Rover and walked up toSean.

"Hey guys!" Sean said. "Let me introduce you to Rick,the official photographer, and James, the festivalorganiser."

Rick and James weren’t alone. There was a younger guywith them, maybe about my age or a li le older. As he gotcloser I saw that he was the sort of guy the more stupidgirls at my school liked to fight over at the disco. Blondcurly hair and big blue eyes, and with a deep brown tan.He was wearing expensive gear too - much too fancy forthe hippy crowd that were camping at the festival.

I looked down at my feet, feeling a bit self-conscious. Incomparison, I was really badly dressed. Because I wassharing a tiny bathroom, I didn’t bring much cute stuffwith me. No make-up, no hair straighteners - and only oldshorts and t-shirts, and a pair of flip-flops.

James brought the younger guy over. "This is Callum,my son," he said. "But we call him Einstein…"

"Einstein?’ Luke’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Stop it Dad!" said Callum.


"No really, it’s because he’s so good at Maths," Jamesexplained.

Callum - or Einstein - looked about as embarrassed asyou get when your Dad’s praising you to someone else.

"C’mon Callum," Luke said. "I ’ll show you around thecampsite."

"You coming too?" Callum asked me.

I looked up, surprised that he even asked. James smiledat me, and not knowing what else to do, I just nodded andjoined him and Luke.


FRIDAY EVENING

When we got back an hour or so later, Ray and the bandwere si ing around, drinking beer and cha ing.

"Your Dad’s gone to the bar to meet someone," Raycalled to Callum.

"Oh, OK. See you!" Callum said and walked away.

"You have a good time, guys?" Ray asked us. Luke and Inodded. Ray doesn’t expect us to tell him everything, andhe’s happy enough to know we aren’t in any trouble.

"Is there any dinner left?" I asked, seeing some emptypizza boxes.

"Sure - in the chalet," Ray answered, turning back to theband to hear another joke.

The kitchen window was open, and I could hear theirconversation as I leant up against the sink. Perhaps Raywas drinking too much as his voice was louder thannormal. "Guess who I saw yesterday? That guy Jake - youremember him. He got five years in prison after that young


remember him. He got five years in prison after that young

fan was killed."

"Oh yeah," said one of the band. "I heard he was out. Butdon’t worry about him Ray. He’s on parole and can’t getinto any trouble."

"Well, I didn’t like the way he was looking at Kate," Rayadded.

Then Sean spoke. "Mmm. I ’m not so sure. He was mixedup in something nasty. Trafficking girls, I think. He findsgirls who are vulnerable and makes them work for him.You know the sort. Ex drug addicts or girls whose familiesjust don’t care anymore. There was a rumour going roundabout one girl who refused to do what he asked. Shedisappeared a few months ago. Jake just said she wentback to her family, but nobody believes him."

"How do you know all this?" asked Ray.

"From James, you know, the festival organiser. He’s putJake in charge of security because Jake knows a lot ofbikers who can work for him. James overheard Jake on thephone doing one of his deals. You’ve really got to watchhim Ray - make sure Kate doesn’t go anywhere near him."

"I ’ve already told her. But she’s a good girl. She won’tdo anything stupid."


My heart beat fast. Terri! She could be in danger. Shetold me that Jake loved her, but suppose it was just a trick?Suppose she was just another of his victims? Maybe Jakeonly wanted her to think he loved her and then he wouldforce her to do what he wanted.

I was the only person who knew Terri’s story. I couldn’ttell Ray because he’d be angry at me for talking to someoneconnected with Jake. But I had to warn her. She was sotrusting of him and maybe didn’t realise how dangerousJake was.

But how? How could I warn her? Of course! There wasan easy solution. I could go to the house because Jakewasn’t there. I could tell her what Sean said and then wecould find a way to get her out.

I walked outside. For my plan to work, I had to lookcasual, but I was terrified and hoped my voice would workproperly.

I coughed. "Ray, I ’m still hungry. I ’m going to go andget some chips. OK?"

"OK, but make sure you go with Luke," he said.

Luke wasn’t happy about that, I was sure. He wanted to


Luke wasn’t happy about that, I was sure. He wanted to

sit around and hear the band and Ray gossiping. Maybe itmade him feel grown-up. But I wasn’t happy about iteither. I didn’t want Luke to know where I was going, orhe would tell Ray. I had to invent an excuse to be alone.

We got to the road. "Look Luke, you can have yourmoney back, but there’s something I need to do. Just giveme fifteen minutes."

"What have you got to do?"

I had a brilliant excuse. "It’s me and Einstein - Callum.We agreed to meet by the stage."

"You? Einstein? What are you talking about?"

"Well, we kind of like each other. We agreed to meet upwhen you went into the bar to get us some crisps. Look,you can have all your money back - just don’t tell Ray.OK?"

Luke smiled. I bet he was happy to know something"secret” about me. "OK then, I ’ll give you fifteen minutes.But no more!"

I ran off in the direction of the stage, trying not to bumpinto people. The beach was quite crowded and I quicklylost sight of Luke. I only had a few minutes to get to the


lost sight of Luke. I only had a few minutes to get to the

house, convince Terri to leave, and get back before Lukegot suspicious.

Once past the stage, I sprinted across the sand and theroad to the house and ran up the path shouting "Terri!"

Nobody came out of the house. It all sounded quiet.Maybe she wasn’t in. But I couldn’t come all this way andnot try to see her. I didn’t like the look of the house, but Iswallowed my fear and walked through the hole for thedoor.

Inside, there was a wet smell, like the smell you get at alake in summer. I imagined lake plants climbing up thewalls and shivered. It was cold inside, too. I was in a darkcorridor, with a door on each side and another two doorsfurther down. I didn’t know which one she could be in.Should I push one of the doors open to see if Terri wasthere, or should I call out first? I didn’t want to walk pastthe closed doors down the corridor without checking therooms first.

I could hear my heart beating fast. What should I do?What should I do? I chose the first door on my left,knocking on it and calling more quietly this time, "Terri?Are you in there?" Nothing.

I turned and tried the door on the right. "Terri?"


Suddenly a hand landed on my shoulder. I froze. It wasimpossible to run. The hand was heavy and strong, and mylegs were like blocks of cement.

"What do you want?" said a man’s voice. He definitelydidn’t sound friendly. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t sayanything. My mouth was closed in terror.

"Well?" he demanded again.

"Um…” My voice sounded high and panicky to me."Um, I ’m looking for Terri."

"Friend of hers are you?" He turned me around so I wasfacing him.

He wasn’t very tall, but he was heavy, with a bald headand small eyes. He was wearing a bomber jacket and Icould just about read "SECURITY" wri en in black on ared T-shirt underneath.

"Hmmm. You don’t look old enough to be one of Terri’sfriends, but you’ll find her in there," he nodded towards theright-hand door further down the corridor.

"Thanks," I said, my heart still going fast.


I pushed open the door, but I couldn’t see anyone atfirst. The room was dark, with something over the windowlike a heavy blanket. The room didn’t smell very nice,either. I t was like a room in summer when you keep thewindow closed but leave dirty socks in it. The walls of theroom were old, with graffi i painted on them. "ChelseaFC" was wri en on one wall. I wondered when someonepainted that. Years ago probably.

The floor was horrible; no carpet, but two or threema resses covering the bare concrete. In the far corner ofthe room I could see a pile of clothes. The pile moved and Isaw a person lying down. It had to be Terri. I ran over toher.

"Terri! Terri! You’ve got to listen to me!"

As I got close to her, a bad smell of dirty clothes andunwashed body became stronger. Trying not to breathe toomuch, I leant over Terri. I t was her. She was wearingexactly the same clothes but her eyes were closed. Itouched her cheek. Her skin was cold.

"Hmm, hello, who…" Her voice was so low I couldhardly hear it.

"Terri! I t’s me - Kate! Wake up!" I touched her arm,trying to get her to open her eyes. Her sleeves were half-


trying to get her to open her eyes. Her sleeves were half-

way up her arm and that’s when I saw more red marks in along line on the inside of her arm. I was even more surenow that she was in danger and that Jake was violent.

My eyes adjusted to the dark and I could see that shewas looking at me. Her eyes were tiny, her pupils li leblack dots.

She was trying to focus on me. "Who let you in? Derek?"she asked.

"I don’t know his name. But you’ve got to come withme." I tried to pull her up into a si ing position, but for athin girl, she was very heavy. She pushed my hands awayand fell back down again.

I was ge ing desperate. Time was running out. "Terri!Listen! It’s important. You have to get up. Come with me!I can help you!"

"And why do you think she needs your help?" Anotherman’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. There wasonly one man with that voice. It was Jake.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded againas he walked towards me. For a second I thought aboutrunning past him and out of the house, but my legswouldn’t move. He came right up to me.


"Oh, it’s you! It’s Ray’s girl! Well, I asked you aquestion. What are you doing here?"

I was in big trouble. Jake was dangerous and except forDerek and Terri, nobody knew I was here. Terri was halfasleep, and Derek obviously worked for Jake. I wascompletely alone with a violent ex-criminal. My mouthwent dry.

"I … I …"

"Yes? I ’m listening…" Jake’s voice was low and calm, butI sensed the danger in it.

He had a horrible, knowing smile on his lips. "Oh, now Iunderstand. You came on a social visit! How lovely!" Hisvoice was sarcastic.

His hand grabbed my wrist so quickly and unexpectedlythat I screamed. But in a second, his other hand coveredmy mouth. His fingers smelled of cigare es and bank notes- a smoky and sweet smell that made me feel nauseous.

"So how are we going to entertain you?” he continued. Itried to twist away from him, but his hands were toostrong.


"Not so fast, li le girl," he said. "You’ve only just gothere!"

I was panicking now. I tried to scream again, but he hadhis hand over my mouth.

"Well, li le girl. This is your lucky day! Terri’s too tiredto have a conversation with us right now, but that’s noreason you and me can’t get to know each other a bit be er.What do you say?"

I couldn’t say anything. From the tone of his voice it wasobvious he wasn’t giving me a choice. He was going to dosomething terrible to me and I couldn’t do anything to stophim. I tried to get free again but he was holding me tootight. I twisted to try and get a good angle to kick him, buthe was holding me to one side. It was impossible.

He moved me towards one of the ma resses, his left foottrying to trip me up. I bent my knees. Maybe I could gethim off-balance enough to get free and run. I got myself inposition to drop to my knees, twist and run, but at thatmoment we heard a voice:

"Jake! Is that girl in there with you?"

Jake froze. It was Derek, I was sure.


"Only James is here looking for her," he continued.

James? Oh my God, James! Why was he here? But atleast I was safe! Jake was still holding me tight so Icouldn’t move. He moved his head to my ear andwhispered, "You ever tell anyone about this and you’redead. Understand?"

He finally let me go and I ran out of the room and intothe corridor. James was standing at the entrance of thehouse. "Kate! Ray’s going to kill you!" he said, as I ranstraight towards him.


SATURDAY

The perfect summer’s morning. Well, perfect for theweather, but not much else. Everyone was angry with me.

Ray was angry with me because I went to the housewhen he told me not to.

Luke was angry with me because I lied to him and toldhim I was going to meet Callum. As an extra bonus, I gotLuke in trouble with Ray because he was supposed to keepan eye on me. Luke will probably never speak to me again.

No doubt Callum was also angry with me because Imade him a part of my lie.

James was angry with me because I put him in a difficultposition with Jake.

But most of all, I was angry with myself because nowTerri could be in even more danger from Jake.

When James and I walked back to the chalet last night, Iwasn’t sure what to say. Should I say sorry or should Ithank him for rescuing me. In the end, I asked him how he


thank him for rescuing me. In the end, I asked him how he

knew where to find me.

"Simple," he said. "While Luke was waiting for you, hesaw Callum in the bar with me. That’s when he knew youweren’t at the stage with Callum and so he got worried."

Of course! I ’d forgo en that Callum went to the bar.

"Anyway," James continued. "He asked me to go andfind you. He had a feeling you might go to the house andhe told me Ray told you not to. So why did you go there?"

I didn’t say anything. Whenever I say "It seemed like agood idea at the time," Ray always gets angry. It was be ernot to say anything at all.

But James didn’t ask me to explain myself. In fact he wasquite nice about it. "Look Kate. Don’t make things difficultfor Ray, OK? He needs this job and I need Jake for thesecurity. Just do what Ray says, OK?"

Luke and Ray were alone in front of the chalet. None ofthe other guys were there.

"Where the hell have you been?" Ray demanded.

"She was at Jake’s house, Ray," James said.


"Get in, both of you!" Ray was really angry, I could tell.

Luke didn’t say a word to me. He didn’t need to. He wasfurious with me.

"Well? Are you going to explain, Kate? Why did you gothere after I told you not to?"

So I told him everything up until what happened withJake. That I met Jake’s girlfriend on the beach but when Ioverheard Ray and the band, I got worried about her - thatshe might become his next victim. I explained that Iwanted to warn her and that I thought it was safe to go tothe house.

At least Ray listened to me, but he still wasn’t happy."You’ve got to learn to keep out of other people’s business!Really! Jake’s girlfriend is an adult. She can make her owndecisions. She doesn’t need you to save her."

He was also angry with Luke. "And as for you, Luke.You were supposed to keep an eye on her."

"But how was I to know that she was going there?" Lukeasked.

"I don’t care," Ray answered. "You two have got to listento me. I don’t want either of you going anywhere until the


to me. I don’t want either of you going anywhere until the

concert. Stay out of trouble. Do you understand?"

We both nodded.

"OK. Now that’s clear,go to bed - both of you!"

So this morning, nobody was in a great mood.

Ray told me again, "I have to go and set up for tonight. Idon’t want you going anywhere. Get it?"

The front door of the chalet was open as Ray moved hisequipment outside. Rick came in.

"Ready Ray?"

When he saw me, he was friendly. "Hi Kate! You OK?"

I didn’t say anything.

"No. She’s in big trouble," said Ray. "She went to Jake’shouse last night when I told her not to. James found herthere and brought her back."

"Why did you do that?" Rick asked me.

"Because I was worried about Terri, his girlfriend. Onlynow everybody thinks I ’ve commi ed some terrible crime


now everybody thinks I ’ve commi ed some terrible crime

and I’m not allowed to move from here until the concert." Iwanted to add "And it’s not fair!" but stopped myself intime.

Rick gave me a strange look. "Why are you worriedabout her? She can look after herself."

"Oh not again," Ray said. "Just shut up about her." Hepicked up his van keys and walked out.

Rick looked at him then at me. "Look, I know Jake. I ’llgo over there a bit later and see if everything’s OK.Alright?"

"OK," I said. I was pleased that someone took meseriously, but it was strange that nobody else really cared.

He left and I sat on the front steps of the chalet watchingeveryone else having a great time. I still felt bad aboutTerri. Everybody else seemed completely OK about it.Why couldn’t they understand she was in danger? Andnow everybody was tired of me talking about her. I ’d madea real mess of it.

Luke sat near me in a deck chair. He was listening tomusic through his headphones and playing with hiscamera, but I wasn’t fooled by his relaxed a itude. Hewouldn’t let me out of his sight. I t’s like having a guard


wouldn’t let me out of his sight. I t’s like having a guard

next to you in prison. Every time I got up to get somethingto eat or find a book, he looked at me until I sat downagain.

He was right about the campsite filling up. I watched asa burger van drove in. Before long the air was filled with afantastic smell of barbecued meat and a queue of peopleformed. Families with children were enjoying the sunshine,with some kids playing football near our chalet. A youngcouple walked by holding hands. I remembered the lie Itold about Callum. God! How embarrassing. He wouldthink I was really stupid.

At lunchtime I was really bored. "Can’t we even go tothe beach?" I asked Luke.

"No, we can’t."

I t was torture waiting for the concert and watchingeveryone else having fun.

"Smile!" Luke said, pointing his camera at me.

I pulled a face at him. "Don’t. Just don’t," I said.

"But I ’m practising for the concert," he replied.

I couldn’t take it any more. I went inside the chalet and


I couldn’t take it any more. I went inside the chalet and

left him to take stupid photos.

Jem came up to the chalet at about 4pm. "C’mon Kate!You have to come and tune my bass." He had a huge smileon his face and looked pleased to see me. I felt terrible.

"Sorry Jem, but I can’t. Ray told me I have to stay hereand Luke’s babysi ing me," I answered.

"No it’s alright. Ray’s OK with it. He told me I couldcome and get you both," he said.

Being on the beach was like escaping a cage. Even the airwas fresher and you could sense the excitement buildingfor the concert and DJ set. The stage was huge with plentyof space for the band to dance and move around. Ray wasat the mixing desk, and the rest of the band were on stage.Nobody really looked at me. They either didn’t knowabout last night or didn’t think it was a big deal.

I tuned Jem’s bass, pu ing my ear close to the strings asI adjusted the keys. It’s always a great feeling when youget exactly the right note, but you have to be patient andyou have to concentrate. When the guitar is perfectly intune you get this really beautiful, pure sound. I took mytime tuning the bass because I wanted it to be the best everfor Jem.


After the soundcheck, Ray and I stayed behind. Theband disappeared, but Ray was looking after theinstruments and his sound equipment. He was studyingthe order of the songs and making notes next to the songs.When he finished he turned to me. "When are you going tostart behaving more like an adult, Kate? I ’m worried aboutyou. I promised your Mum that I ’d look after you, but it’sdifficult to do that when you never listen."

Whenever Ray mentions my Mum, I know there’s nopoint arguing. Ray was close to her - he was her bigbrother after all - and I know that he still feels sad abouther. She died when I was two and Luke was four.

"I ’m sorry Ray," I said, but my apology sounded stupid.Ray’s right. I never listen to anyone else and it gets me intotrouble.

He smiled at me. "Sometimes you’re so like her it makesme laugh. When she was your age, she was terrible, too. Iremember one night she decided to go to see this band sheliked, but on the way back…"

I let him continue his story, but I wasn’t really listening.Ray often told the same story. I was more interested inwhat I could see behind him. It was Rick and he wascoming towards us. But he wasn’t alone - he was also withTerri. My heart jumped in relief. At least she was safe. Rick


Terri. My heart jumped in relief. At least she was safe. Rick

was saying something and she was laughing. But then shefell and Rick held out his hand to lift her up. Even whenshe got up, he still held her hand and continued talking toher, and I got the impression that he was trying topersuade her to do something. But she shook her head andturned round, walking back to the house.

Luke came back with some burgers and fries, and wewatched the beach for a bit. The stage lights went on and afew people around us cheered. Quite a lot of people werestanding around, and a guy wearing a SECURITY t-shirtwalked past. I t was Derek. He looked at me and nodded atRay. I didn’t say anything but I was glad Ray was therewith me.


SATURDAY EVENING

The stage lights went on and the band walked out ontothe stage. The crowd moved forward to see be er. Rob andJem played the introduction to the first song, "LastSummer". This song always gets people dancing, as it’s gotfast rhythms and a chorus you can sing to. First there’s asimple drum beat, then the bass and guitars joined in, withSean tapping his hand against his legs. The band playedthe first eight bars, then Sean leant into the microphoneand shouted, "Let’s go!" He sang the lyrics in a low, urgentvoice, tapping his feet in time to the lyrics. The crowd weremesmerised. The music got faster and faster, and thecrowd went wild, with some people at the front jumpingup in time to the music. The final chorus ended, and thecrowd clapped. Some people whistled.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen!" Sean was back at themicrophone. "We’re called “Lost Cause” and this next oneis for Suzie and Kate!" I was sure I saw Jem kiss the chainhe always wears around his neck and then Rob wasplaying the first bars of my favourite song. My skin feltcold and hot at the same time. I always get a strangefeeling when I hear that song. Suzie was my Mum andRay told me it was her favourite song, too. The song’s


Ray told me it was her favourite song, too. The song’s

called “It’s alright on the night” and it’s got a great basssolo. I closed my eyes and let the words and music fill myhead.

"Well, it’s gonna be a long, long nightWe’ve got no end in sightMoney’s low when you’ve no place to goBut it’s alright on the night…"

The band played eight more songs. They don’t playmusic like any other band I’ve heard. They’re notcommercial, not pop and not rock. Maybe you could saythey’re like a mix of punk and folk, with songs abouteveryday life. The crowd loved them. Luke was filming thepeople near the front of the stage. Their faces and bodieswere just a blur of movement. Ray was smiling as heworked on the mixing desk and I was happy and relaxed.

Their final song ended with Sean shouting "Thank youHaven!" and the crowd cheered and shouted again. Jamesgot on stage and thanked the band. "Don’t forget - we’vegot a DJ set in half an hour!" he shouted.

The band left the stage. James and Luke helped Ray getall the instruments into the van to take back to the chalet. Istayed behind with Jem.

"How do you think it went?" he asked.


"It was great! I think they really liked the music! Did yousee all those people dancing?"

We had a few T-shirts and CDs to sell. Normally youcan sell quite a few after a good performance, but only acouple of people were interested.

Rick came up and took our photo. "That’s a lovely shotof you two," he said. "Your brother’s going to be a greatphotographer, you know! He took some fantastic videofootage. A li le bit of editing and we can put it online," hesaid.

I was pleased for Luke. I could see he was really happywhen he was taking photos and videos. Maybe he couldeven become a professional photographer.

Rick picked up his camera again and clicked a few morephotos. I watched where he was shooting. He was pointinghis camera towards the stage and I saw a girl with longhair. I t was Terri. This time she was wearing jeans and along-sleeved shirt, and the stage lights made beautifulshadows on her face.

We watched her walk across the road, back to the house."She could be a model," Rick told me. "She’s got the rightfigure and an interesting face… Shame about Jake, though.


figure and an interesting face… Shame about Jake, though.

I asked her to leave him, I really tried, Kate. But I thinkshe’s almost addicted to him. She told me that she knowshe’s bad, but that she can’t leave. Such a shame…"

Terri got to the path which led from the road up to thehouse. Maybe there was nothing anyone could do. Rickhad tried to warn her, but perhaps it really was lovebetween her and Jake. I felt sick again as I rememberedhim trying to hurt me in the house. His cruel smile andsarcastic voice, and the feeling of not being able to escape.

We were still watching her when we saw Jake come outof the house. He walked fast towards Terri and slapped herhard, across the face. She almost fell back, but he pulledher up by her arm and forced her back towards the house. Isaw her try to shake his hand off her arm, but like me, shewasn’t strong enough to stop Jake from pulling her.

"Oh no!" Rick said. "I ’m gonna go and see if she’salright."

"Don"t!’ Jem said. "He’s angry and he’s unpredictable."

"I think I can handle him," Rick answered. He ran offtowards the house.

We watched him moving past the crowds of people onthe beach.


"What do you think we should do?" I asked Jem."Should we go after him?"

"No! You’re staying here with me. Rick’s not stupid. I ’msure everything will be fine."

I have to admit, I didn’t feel very happy about that.From the corner of my eye I saw someone I recognised."Look Jem - it’s Derek!"

"Who?"

"You know, one of the security guys…"

Derek was heading towards the house as well, pushingpast people instead of trying to walk past them politely.

"Kate - just stay here, OK?" Jem was pu ing away theunsold T-shirts and CDs into a box. I stood on tip-toe,trying to see what was happening further up the beach, butthere were too many people now, all coming down to thestage for the DJ’s set.

"Here! Help me close the box, then we can put it underthe stage for now," Jem asked. I turned back to help himtape down the top of the box. I didn’t see Ray and Lukecome up.


"Hey guys! Make any money?"

"Nah, not much," Jem answered. "Enough for…"

Then we heard it. A loud shout. A man’s voice comingfrom the house. "Nooooooooo!"

We all turned round, some people near us also lookingtowards the house.

"Rick?" My throat felt tight.

"No, no, that isn’t Rick!" Ray answered.

He raced towards the house, followed by Luke, whoshouted "Stay there!" at me as he left.

I watched them go, but I knew I couldn’t stay behind.The people I care about most in the world were rushingtowards something terrible. I had to be there with them. Istarted to run as well, pushing past people.

"Whoah there!" said a man as I lost my balance. I got upquickly again and sprinted towards the house.

I ran through the doorway and followed the shoutingalong the dark corridor to Terri’s room.


Even though there were shadows in the room, I couldsee everything. Derek and Rick were standing up, withDerek holding Rick’s arms so he couldn’t move. Facedown on the floor was a man in a leather jacket. There wasa long piece of metal next to him. Under his head was adark red liquid, moving slowly outwards.

"You killed him? You killed Jake? You murderer!" Derekwas shouting at Rick.

"I tell you I didn’t touch him! I found him like that onthe floor!"

I stopped suddenly, horrified at the scene on the floor."Where’s Terri?" I said, to nobody in particular.

Ray turned round. "What are you doing here? Luke,take her back to the chalet!"

Luke was staring at Jake, his mouth open in shock.

"Get her back to the chalet - NOW!"

We got out of the house. Luke and I didn’t say anythinguntil we got to the path.

"Do you think he’s dead?" My voice sounded tiny to me.


"God, I don’t know. It looks pre y bad in any case," heanswered.

My head was feeling a bit strange like just before you’resick.

"Are you OK?" "Kate?" Luke sounded a bit scared.

I shook my head. I felt cold thinking of what I ’d seen inthe house. Jake lying still on the floor, the bloodunderneath his head. Rick standing there over Jake. Thesoft candlelight and the atmosphere in the room. I shiveredand Luke put his arms round me, half-supporting me offthe road and onto the campsite. The noise of a siren cutthrough the music of the DJ set and the police car drovepast quickly, a blue light flashing. I couldn’t believe therewas still music playing. Maybe the people who heard theshout just thought it was part of the evening.

The campsite was deserted at least. I didn’t want anyoneto see me. By now I was crying, and anyone who saw mewould think I was drunk or something.

Luke got me to the chalet, half pulled me up the stepsand unlocked the door. "God, you’re freezing! Look, stayhere. You’ll be fine. I ’m going over to the bar to get yousome brandy."


He closed the door behind me and ran down the steps ofthe chalet. I was really cold now. Inside, everything wascompletely dark and still except a red, flashing light on thekitchen table. I reached out to switch on the light.

"Stop! Don’t move!" A voice from the darkness of thechalet kitchen sounded right next to my ear. I stoodcompletely still. The voice was familiar.

"Terri? Is that you?" I asked.

Something sharp touched my throat. I swallowed, themovement in my throat pushing at the sharp object. I tscratched me, like how a sharp pencil feels when youscratch yourself by accident.

"Shhh!" she said again. "If you move I ’ll hurt you!"

"Sit here!" She pushed me onto one of the kitchen chairs.The sharp thing was at my throat again.

"Quick!" she said. "Where’s your room? I want someclothes."

"Clothes? What for?"

"Just tell me!" Her voice sounded panicky to me.


"OK." I didn’t like feeling something against my throatand I wanted her to calm down.

"You can’t see anything in there without a light," I said."It’s on the wall, next to the fridge."

She moved her hand away from my face, found theswitch and turned on the light. Finally I could breathe out.She didn’t have anything in her hands now, but when Isaw her face I was shocked. She looked terrible. Her hairwas a mess and one eye was closed, a huge red mark underit. Blood was coming from her lip.

"Terri! What happened? Did he, did Jake do that toyou?"

She turned her face away from me.

"He saw me and Rick talking. He called me terriblenames. He said he would kill me. He hit me…"

She paused, then continued, "He took his belt off. Ithought he was going to hit me with it. He pushed meagainst the window. There was something there. It feltheavy and I , I…"

"What? What did you do?" I remembered the bar on the


"What? What did you do?" I remembered the bar on the

floor next to Jake’s head.

"I just hit him with it. Just a couple of times. Not hard,but he fell… Blood, there was blood…"

She shivered, then turned to look at me. "I thought that ifI came here I could get some clothes. We’re almost thesame size. I need to get away."

Now I could see that her clothes were dirty. The front ofthe shirt had small spots of blood on it.

"But what you did - it’s not your fault, Terri," I said. "Allyou need to do is tell the police what happened and…"

"No police!" she shouted. "I ’m not talking to the police!"

"But Rick!"

"What about him? What about Rick?"

"Derek found Rick with Jake after… The police arethere. You can’t let Rick go to prison for something hedidn’t do!"

Terri put her hand into the back pocket of her jeans andpulled out a knife. I t was one of our kitchen knives - onewith a sharp point.


"Don’t mention the police!"

She was pointing the knife at my throat again. I couldn’tstop staring at it. I knew it was important to try and makeher understand, then perhaps I could get her to put theknife down. "But Terri, you know it’s wrong they’ve gotRick. He didn’t do anything! I ’m sure that if you explaineverything, they’ll understand…"

"You really are stupid, aren’t you!" she said, with a lookof complete contempt on her face. "I thought you weremore grown-up, but you’re just a stupid girl! Of coursethey won’t understand. Nobody ever understands. They’lllock me up in prison for the rest of my life."

Her face was ugly in anger. There was no sign of the oldTerri, the one I thought looked beautiful with the lightacross her face down by the stage. This Terri looked angryand desperate.

"Look, I can help you! I can help you explain," I said,still staring at the knife.

"You?" She gave a li le laugh. "You’re just as dangerous.You’ll tell the police and think that you’ve done the rightthing. But all you’ll do is make it even worse for me."


The skin on her hand was white where she was holdingthe knife so tightly. She wasn’t ever going to agree to talkto the police.

"Fine. Look, you just go and I’ll say I never saw you.OK?"

"Please, Terri, say yes," I was thinking. "Please just go!"

We were both silent. She spoke slowly. "No, I don’t trustyou. You’ll tell someone, I know you will. Sorry Kate, butthere isn’t any other way. "

I had a terrible feeling of fear in my stomach. I imaginedthe knife going into my neck and the pain. "Please, noTerri. Please don’t hurt me…"

She laughed. "Not even I can kill you with a knife. I ’mnot that cruel. Look, I promise, it won’t hurt. I was goingto have it myself later on, but you can have it instead."

She moved the knife into her left hand, still pointing it atmy throat. I didn’t dare move. She pulled out a syringefrom her pocket with her right hand. A strange, dreamylook came over her face.

That’s when I knew from all those drug educationlessons at school: the long sleeves she usually wore, the


lessons at school: the long sleeves she usually wore, the

marks on her arm, her tiny eyes yesterday at the house.Why didn’t I realise earlier? I was so busy trying to saveher that I missed all the signs. "Terri! No! I ’m beggingyou! Please no!" I was crying. "Please, take anything youneed! Just go and I promise, I promise…"

But she wasn’t listening to me. "For someone like you,this is a fatal amount. It’s really good stuff, really pure.Jake got it specially for me. Just think, lucky you that youcan have it all yourself."

She held the syringe in her mouth while she felt in herjacket pocket. She pulled out a long, thin tube, bendingforward to get it all out. Her movement away from me wasmy chance to escape. I jumped up from the chair, pushingit back from me. I was on my feet, reaching for the door.

She screamed out at me, making so much noise I didn’thear the feet coming up the steps of the chalet. I felt coldair as the door banged open.

"Kate!" shouted Luke. Callum was behind him.

"What the…?"

"Get her!" I screamed, as I saw Terri trying to movebehind them and get out of the door. She hid the syringeand the tube back in her pocket. Something dropped into


and the tube back in her pocket. Something dropped into

the sink. It was the knife.

Luke put his arm out and stopped her.

"Let me go!" Terri shouted.

"No you don’t!" Luke’s voice was firm and calm.

"What’s going on here?" Luke demanded. "Kate! What’shappened?"

I tried to explain about the knife and the drugs, but Terristarted shouting. "It’s not true! Your sister’s mad."

"Look in her pockets! You’ll see her syringe!” I shoutedback.

Luke stared at me.

"Luke, she was going to kill me!”

"Liar! Liar!" Terri spat the words at me with hatred.

“You’re the…” I stopped. Out of the corner of my eye Isaw the red flashing light. I turned to Luke. “Luke, look!Your video camera - it’s still recording!”

The camera was on the table, probably where Luke put it


The camera was on the table, probably where Luke put it

when he came back with Ray with all the instruments.

“Yeah! You’re right,” he said, as he reached over to it andpressed a bu on.

At first silence, then some claps and cheers from thecrowd. He pressed the bu on again.

My heart was beating fast. "Please," I whispered tomyself.

Terri was looking at the camera as well, her eyes wide.

And then, a faint voice. "… that you?"

"Shhh! If you move I ’ll hurt you!"

It was us! Terri and I talking!

Terri ran for the chalet door, but Luke was quicker. Hecaught her as she tried to get past, and Callum dived forher knees. She fell to the floor as the video cameracontinued replaying our conversation.

Terri was trying to sit up, but she couldn’t. Luke heldher arms and Callum held her feet. She kicked, but Callumheld her still.


Luke’s mobile fell out from his jeans pocket. I managedto pick it up before it slid across the floor. My hands wereshaking, but I found Ray’s number on the speed dial.


SUNDAY MORNING

Luke is officially the number one hero. The police canuse the recorded conversation as evidence against Terri.Rick said Luke needs a few lessons to operate a videocamera, but he’s really happy. He spent a few hours at thepolice station, but there wasn’t much reason to keep himthere after they arrested Terri. I don’t know what willhappen to her.

Callum tried to get credit for his rugby dive on Terri’slegs. He’s been pre y nice to me in fact, and doesn’t seemto remember that lie I told about meeting up with him atthe stage. The more I think about him, the more I like him.He and James left today, but he gave me his phone numberbefore he left. There’s another festival next month andmaybe, maybe, Ray will let me go. Callum can be mybodyguard…

Ray’s in a great mood again. He said I ’m probably theworst sixteen-year-old he’s ever known, but he doesn’tmean it. After I went to bed I could hear him telling Jemall about me. The last thing I heard before I fell asleep wasthat I should get a medal for bravery.


And me? I ’ve got a plan. I ’m going to try really hard tokeep out of trouble next year at school, then I ’m going toask Ray if I can help him with more festivals. I like beingaround musicians and I’m good with guitars.

Rock on next year!


THANK YOU

Thank you for reading 'Murder at the Beach’.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Check out my other books for English language learners:

Speak English!

505 Business English Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Business Writing Essentials: How To Write Le ers,Reports and Emails

Everyday Grammar for Busy People

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