He paused for a moment catching his breath and trying to keep the panic at bay. He'd been round the village and back to Louise's, there was no sign of Sophie or Mel, they seemed to have vanished into thin air. He'd tried both their mobiles several times but both were going to voicemail. Mel tended to turn hers off if she was at a meeting but he was fairly certain she didn't attend on weekends... Where were they? He caught sight of Nicole hurrying in his direction but checking back over her shoulder constantly; he grabbed hold of her arms and she shook her head in answer to his desperate question "Any luck?" He dropped her arms and felt useless, they'd scoured the village, they could only fear the worst, she'd fallen into Sam's clutches and he was holding her somewhere. His hands curled into fists at the thought and he growled at Nicole "If your brother hurts her in any way..." "Now's not the time Justin, we've got to find her before..." her voice trailed away "Before what Nic? What did he say? "He was rambling on and on about how she'd betrayed him and he could see why now, she'd never loved him she wanted him out of the way for Russ" Justin snorted, "No, it had nothing to do with him aiding and abetting that bastard that raped Mel, or spiking girls drinks and..." Nic held up a weary hand "I've heard it all and more, it's not every day your front door is spray painted with the kind of graffiti Sam attracts, lets just concentrate on finding Sophie, we can save the recriminations for later" They stood and looked at each other, neither sure what to do next, Nicole's phone broke the silence with a beep. She grabbed it from her pocket and checked it, She grinned up at him and breathed a sigh of relief "It's from Russ, he'd arranged to meet Sophie in the Dog and he's running late, he says her phone's switched off so can I run down and let her know he hasn't stood her up!" Justin breathed out slowly the one place they hadn't thought, he hadn't thought to check. Sophie gave the pub a wide berth these days hoping it would help Mel. "C'mon Justin!" she tugged at his hand "We've still got to warn her Sam's back and she's in danger" Her words galvanised him into action and they set off running in the direction of the Dog. They slowed as they approached the pub, unusually quiet for Saturday afternoon and Justin thought about what he would say to her about Sam that wouldn't spook her. He heard a whoosh, like the sound of a gas ring lighting then an almighty bang which threw him backwards, landing on Nicole and felling her. He was stunned momentarily and shook his head, a ringing in his ears. He looked towards the pub which was now engulfed in flames, he tried to take it in but he couldn't think straight. He pulled Nicole to her feet, she seemed ok so he turned his attention back to the building. It was well alight now, flames licking the roof and around the doorway, pity the poor buggers inside he thought "Sophie, oh God...SOPHIE!" he yelled and ran towards the inferno.
2