Chapter 44
The Magnetic Field
The Ghost saw the police car skid to a stop and the moustachioed policeman get out while his colleague called for help from the primitive two-way radio system in the car.
The outside police officer was now crouching beside Dougie, feeling his neck and wrist for a pulse. Residents were creeping out to watch the scene from the raised houses on the left side of the road, facing the park.
The tragedy was like a magnet. Even then, right at the start. It pulled everything into its field.
And that is how it stayed, throughout Wilbur’s life.
Even when he thought he was getting away from the horror.
Especially then, in fact. It never quite let him go. There was a horrible stillness inside the car before Wilbur made a low moan. The Ghost felt the need to say something with his unheard mouth. Even if it was the most hollow thing of all.
‘It will be all right. It will be all right. It will be all right …’