The Cry Read Online Free PDF

staying put.’
    ‘Will we get to Point Lonsdale okay?’
    ‘Hang on . . .’ Alistair listened to the rest of the broadcast. ‘Sounds like it’s further on, along the Great Ocean Road. I’m going to stop and ring Mum.’
    *
    Different couples make important decisions in different ways. Joanna had only been in one serious relationship before Alistair. His name was Mike. He was six months older than her. They were both English teachers who shared a love of Russian literature. They lived together for four years. And they made decisions by talking things through, calmly. They communicated well, Joanna and Mike. They averted crises. It was sad when they realised they’d met too young, and when Mike decided to go to Japan for a year. But they talked it through, and parted ways with a warm hug. Mike emailed her with his news from time to time. She replied with hers, from time to time.
    With Joanna and Alistair, big decisions seemed to be made at the point of crisis, by Alistair.
    ‘I’m glad she caught us,’ he said over the telephone after his wife had slammed her fists into his naked chest. ‘Now we can be together.’
    ‘Chloe’s gone,’ he said the following day. ‘I’ll find a way to see her. It doesn’t change things. We are meant to be together.’
    Then, most recently: ‘We’re going to get her and bring her back with us. Our family will be complete.’
    While packing for the trip, Joanna made a plan. As soon as they settled into their self-catering cottage at Point Lonsdale, she would suggest to Alistair that they set half-an-hour aside each day to talk things over. She didn’t necessarily mean big things. In fact, it was the little things she worried about because you don’t notice them growing. She liked her new plan and smiled as she zipped the last of the suitcases. Yes, she and Alistair would agree to this plan on the balcony of their cottage, clinking champagne glasses to seal the deal as they gazed at the bay. After that, all decisions would be made jointly and calmly. And there would be no more crises.
    Unfortunately, in four minutes, this plan would go out the window.
    Because in four minutes, she would face the biggest crisis of her life.

7
    JOANNA
    15 February

Minute One
    Was there a lay-by? Or did they just park at the side of the road? A cross, wasn’t there a cross about ten feet ahead? Were there really no towns or buildings in sight? Just the straight road behind them and the straight road ahead with black, ominous sky looming over its horizon?
    Lorries, weren’t there a lot of them? More than usual? What was usual? Passing lorries made the car shake, didn’t they? Or was it just that one truck – Coles? – that rocked their four-wheel drive from side to side?
    Did Alistair take the mobile phone out of his jeans pocket before he got out of the car, or after? Before? Was it already switched on? When did he notice there was no signal? Did he say: Joanna, I can’t get a signal so I’m going to walk over there ?
    How long did it take him to walk from his side of the car to the fence? Ten seconds? Twenty? Did he say anything as he walked? Did he look at her?
    What was she looking at? Him?
    The cross ten feet ahead?
    Her image in the mirror? Was she looking tired? Ugly? Was she really thinking about her looks?
    She didn’t turn and look at the back seat?
    Why not?
    Was it hard to hear Alistair when he yelled that he was going to climb the fence and walk further into the field? Was her window down? When had she opened her window? Why? To hear Alistair?

Minute Two
    How did she know he still couldn’t get a signal? Did he yell from the field?
    Before she opened the car door to get out, did she turn around and look in the back seat? Why not?
    Was it hot when she got out? Did she notice the wall of heat? Yes – Why? No – Why not?
    Was it her suggestion that Alistair should try her phone?
    When she walked towards the boot to show him where it was, what did she see on the way?
    Did