Cherringham--Final Cut

by Neil Richards

  It was too late to stop Zoë getting into the boat.

  The only solution was to get to her on one of the RIBs — fast. Even if it meant ruining the whole shoot …

  Sarah heard the sound of a car and watched as Jack’s Mercedes flew into view over a small rise in the field and slid to a halt on the grass just yards from the river.

  Jack flung open the door, climbed out, and ran towards the RIB.

  “Room for one more?” he said, untying the rope from the bow and flinging it to Sarah to catch.

  “Jump in — Detective,” said Fraser as the outboard kicked into life.

  Sarah made space for Jack who clambered in like he was twenty years younger, and almost fell into the seat next to her.

  “We gotta hurry,” he said.

  “Hang on,” shouted Fraser.

  Sarah watched the AD pull the throttle levers back hard and then turned to look over the prow of the boat up river as the RIB picked up speed fast, its bow wave massive as it raced into the very heart of the Battle of Combe Castle …

  *

  The RIB hurtled up river, past the car park and main camera crew. Sarah heard people — confused, angry — shouting and waving at them on the bank.

  But now she was concentrating on the river ahead which was thick with smoke as if covered in a blanket of fog.

  Fraser had managed to call off the cannon and musket fire. But the charges in the river were still going off. Great plumes of water were exploding all around the boat, the noise incredible.

  “There she is!” shouted Fraser.

  Sarah peered through the smoke — and at last saw the little boat half way across the river.

  Zoë was rowing hard, but it was clearly slow going against the powerful river current.

  “She looks okay,” said Sarah. “If we pull alongside, we can—”

  But then — just as they got close enough to shout — she saw one of Zoë’s oars burst from the side of the boat, and catch the water. It flipped hard — and toppled the young actress straight into the dark water.

  Fraser hit the throttle and powered the RIB in a fast curve towards the now-upturned boat, and then stopped.

  Zoë was nowhere to be seen.

  Sarah pulled her boots off and without thinking unzipped her coat.

  “No, Sarah—” said Jack, reaching to her. The water, this time of year, still icy …

  But she wasn’t going to stop and argue.

  She took a step to the side of the RIB — and dived into the black rushing river.

  The shock of the freezing water was agony.

  And she couldn’t see a thing.

  Years ago she’d done some night diving — but that had been in the blue waters of the Maldives.

  And once on a case, she’d dived a local lake.

  But the Thames in full flood — in April — in the twilight — was a completely different thing.

  I’m mad. This is crazy. I have to get out, she thought and she battled to the surface, her lungs bursting.

  Her head above water, she looked around.

  She’d drifted downstream with the upturned rowing boat — and she could see Jack and Fraser at the side of the RIB, which floated alongside it. Both were peering down into the deep.

  “Anything?” she called.

  “Sarah — it’s too dangerous — leave it for—” said Jack.

  Sarah took another deep breath and dived again, kicking hard with her legs to get deeper, pushing her hands ahead, down into the depths, hoping to touch something, anything, knowing this was the only chance Zoë had, and then …

  She touched — leather — an arm — she grabbed — and pulled it to her.

  Zoë.

  Feeling like a dead weight. Sinking …

  But Sarah had the strength. With one arm wrapped around the actress, she drove her legs against the current and pulled at the water with all her strength, driving upwards towards the half blackness of the night above, until at last … her lungs burning, her head was free …

  …and she felt Jack’s arms around her and Fraser taking Zoë’s weight and pulling her up into the RIB.

  And she was safe.

  20. Last Reel

  Jack tapped his wine glass with his knife and as he waited for silence, he looked around the table.

  This was — without a doubt — the most glamorous dinner party he had ever held on the deck of the Grey Goose.

  A warm night in late spring — the big table from the saloon brought up on top and laid with a pure white tablecloth. His best glasses and cutlery — and a perfect meal cooked in the galley below by the chef from The Spotted Pig.

  The very best reds he could buy — and two bottles of champagne already emptied.

  And the guests: Sarah, Daniel and Chloe. Fraser, Michael and Helen.

  And — not one — but two movie stars: Zac and Zoë who were now — secretly — an item …

  It was nearly a month since the movie had wrapped. Zoë had recovered within a couple of days and the reshoot of the battle scene had gone without a hitch. Gary had owned up immediately to his role in the sword swap and the poisoning — and sabotaging the boat by sawing through the rowlocks.

  He’d also been quick to take Ludo down with him …

  Because it was Ludo who’d promised the syndicate that the movie would make a loss — and he’d gone out of his way to sabotage it with script changes and risky casting. As exec producer he also had access to the cast and crew database — it was Ludo who’d altered phone numbers and emails so Zoë missed her calls. And Ludo who’d concealed reports that Zoë’s horse had an infection that was causing it to shy.

  When that had clearly failed, he’d bribed Gary — who had gambling debts — to cause trouble on set.

  Both were in prison awaiting trial.

  This time, with a new producer and a star who was now loved and admired by the whole crew, the movie had gone from strength to strength — and there were even rumours that a new edit had put The Rose of Cherringham in line for awards next year.

  “I know we said no more speeches — but I did want to thank one last person,” said Jack.

  He could see the smiling faces looking at him expectantly.

  “My new friend Fraser Haines,” said Jack, raising his glass. “Who never complained when the rental company put in for the damage to their brand new Mercedes. To Fraser!”

  He saw the others laugh, and raise their glasses. “To Fraser!” they echoed.

  “I’m still convinced you’d make a great mini-cab driver,” said Fraser with a smile. “That handbrake turn at the end — you’re a natural, Jack.”

  “No, you should be a stuntman!” said Daniel.

  “Mum should be the stuntman,” said Chloe.

  “She should be in front of the camera,” said Fraser.

  Jack watched Sarah blush — a rare sight.

  But she was a real hero, he thought. Took guts, what she did.

  “In fact,” said Fraser, looking at Jack and Sarah, “the movie writer said to me last week we should pitch a TV show about you two guys.”

  “No way,” said Jack.

  “American cop — single mum — solving crimes. It’s a shoo-in,” said Fraser.

  “Hey,” said Chloe, “I could get to play me!”

  “Who would play Mum?” said Daniel.

  “I could,” said Zoë.

  “You’re way too young,” said Daniel.

  “Oh, thanks Daniel,” said Sarah, laughing. “Don’t forget it’s way past your bedtime …”

  “She could play you in the prequel — Sarah Edwards, The Early Years,” said Fraser.

  “So who plays Jack?” asked Sarah.

  “Hmm,” said Jack. “I’ve always thought Tom Selleck might be able to make a decent stab at the role …”

  “Oh, Jack, don’t be silly,” said Chloe. “He’s way too old. Robert Downey Jr. maybe? Or — who’s that guy in House of Cards?”

  “No, no,” said Sarah. “You’ll always be my G
eorge Clooney, Jack—”

  “Oh, Mum!” said Chloe. “You’re so embarrassing!”

  “Hey,” said Fraser. “Gotta have some romance between them!”

  “No way,” said Jack, not quite knowing where to look for the first time in a very long time. He looked across at Sarah and saw that she was blushing too — again.

  We’re like two kids, he thought.

  “Ooohhhh …” said various voices around the table — and in among all the laughter, Riley leaped up from his basket under the table and excitedly put his paws on Jack’s lap.

  “Well, one thing’s for sure, Riley,” said Jack, patting him. “We’re not in Kansas anymore …”

  END

  Next episode

  When an American tourist goes missing in Cherringham, the local police don't see reason for concern — people often wander away from such tours. But when that tourist's sister shows up from New York, desperately looking for answers, Jack and Sarah become convinced there's more to the disappearance than meets the eye. Soon, they are entangled in a mystery with a secret history of betrayal, sacrifice, dishonour …and death.

  Cherringham — A Cosy Crime Series

  The Vanishing Tourist

  by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards

  Cherringham — A Cosy Crime Series

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