Chapter 111
ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN
As Imogen came down to Heron Water, she could tell almost immediately that something was off.
People were moving away in droves from the yew tree, their faces appalled, their conversations seemingly full of disbelief and confusion.
The band were still gamely playing, the leader holding his baton aloft and conducting, even though it was clear to him that there was a disturbance of some kind.
Imogen moved closer, about to go and see what was going on, but it was then she heard shouts coming from the opposite direction. She peered through the darkness. There seemed to be some sort of scuffle over by a car. Was it a fight?
Oh my God, was it Dylan in the fight?
Imogen ran over just in time to see her husband’s knuckles land on James’s face. Her mouth opened in horror. And it wasn’t the first punch he’d thrown, judging by the state of James.
‘Stop!’ she yelled, trying to get past the small crowd, some of whom were attempting to pull Dylan away, some forming a barrier around James.
In the dark, no one saw the straw bear – smaller, almost child height – stumbling slightly, perhaps unable to see through a costume designed for a taller man. The bear almost appeared to be disorientated as it headed up towards the fight.
Imogen shouted again. ‘Stop! Both of you!’ As she forced her way through the onlookers, a torchbearer was shoved aside.
In the chaos, no one saw the flame ignite the bear’s costume.