Chapter 20

Matthew and the others were driving for a while, Then Jimmy spotted something up ahead.

"Matt look, I think its them"

Matthew pulled the car over to a picnic area. Parked there was a red Range Rover, it was Grayson, it had to be.

Then Gabby gasped.

"Look," she pointed to two people arguing. It was Grayson and Mariah, they didn't notice they had arrived.

"Come on, lets get over there," Matthew said getting out.

All of them started hurrying over. Then they witnessed something unexpected.

Grayson had grabbed Mariah's shoulder and she wanted him to let go. Whatever she said he wasn't listening. Then Mariah had pulled away with some force and Grayson flew back over the cliff.

Mariah looked upset, she was in tears. She hadn't seen Matthew and everyone arrive.

"Oh my God," was what Gabby said.

Gabby ran to Mariah.

"Mariah, are you alright"

Mariah wasn't startled by their presence. She ran to Mariah and gave her a hug.

"Its ok, Mariah, it wasn't your fault, we saw what happened"

Mariah wept harder. "I..can't...believe...he's....gone"

Tish came over.

"Mari, don't worry, you're not alone, we'll all take care of you"

They both led Mariah to Matthew's car.

Jimmy spoke to Carl and Matthew. "Well that's the last we'll see of him"

The other brothers nodded in agreement.

"I always knew he would come to a sticky end," Matthew added.

Carl spoke. "You think we should call the cops"

Jimmy spoke. "Don't think there will be a need for that. He won't be found, nobody would walk around there"

All of them drove back to Home Farm.

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Weeks had past since Grayson's fall. There was no funeral. Mariah had stopped crying a day after she had returned to the village.

"Mari, are you sure you are alright," Mariah hadn't spoken of Grayson ever since the argument.

"Tish, I keep telling you I'm fine, my legs are starting to recover, think I should study for that dance qualification I always wanted"

"Mari, go for economics, it is your favourite"

Mariah got annoyed. "Yeah, right, Tish, can't get enough of the stuff you know I should write a book on the subject"

Tish laughed. "You would do well at dance, Mari; always go for what's best for you. So are you going to be coming back to Leeds or hanging around in the village"

"Well I guess I'll be staying put, Emmerdale grows on you in a way"

"As you wish, Mari, I wanna be e mailed regular though, wanna hear about all the exciting things you will be getting up to"

"You can count on it Tish," Mariah said giving Tish as hug. She then got a taxi back to Leeds.

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Mariah was given a room to stay at in Home Farm. She was rearranging her room, when she realised something was missing.

Mariah was trying so hard to think what it could be when it came to her. Her diary. Mariah had remembered she had left it at Mill Cottage, under the floorboards. Mariah had hidden it there, so Grayson couldn't find it.

Mariah headed out of the house and walked to the village. Mariah wasn't looking forward to returning to Mill Cottage, but she had to get her diary back, then she wouldn't have to return there ever again.

The house looked so creepy today. Mariah had a strange feeling. Mariah quickly snapped out of it, she knew Grayson was dead, besides she didn't believe in ghosts.

Mariah knew the key was hidden under the flower pot. She grabbed it and turned the key in the lock. Mariah headed up to her room and went to the floorboards; she found her diary in no time.

She decided to head downstairs and was going to head back outside, when sudden thirst came over her. It was really weird because Mariah had just drunk a full can of Tango, before she left Home Farm.

Mariah headed to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. Mariah took the full glass to her lips and gulped down the cold clear liquid.

Then Mariah heard a voice, one she never thought she would hear again. It was impossible. Mariah tried to snap out of it, but it felt and sounded very realistic. Mariah put the glass back on the worktop; she didn't even bother drying it out.

As she put the glass down, she heard the voice again, it sounded nearer.

Mariah turned around.

"OH MY GOD," she said loudly.

"Hello, princess"