FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER
He’d tried calling Sam again after the slow crawl getting home last night but she hadn’t picked up. He eventually got through on the landline, but only to Norman. Their conversation had been brief. Steven had said he’d shortly be on his way to Criccieth, Norman told him not to bother, that Sam was better off without him. Fortunately, Norman had hung up before Steven could tell him what he thought of him. He’d tried to get through again a couple more times, but the phone was off the hook. There seemed more chance of it raining than of him getting to speak to Sam tonight.
It had taken him longer than planned to pack for the journey. He’d begun by getting together enough stuff for a few days away, then realised he might need more: clothes, food, all the water and drinks he
