Was it with the old woman who was pursuing her or with the man who was gripping her arm? The woman was getting closer, the piercing shrill of her voice could be heard across the sand. Sophie glanced over her shoulder and saw that the whites of her eyes were blood shot with anger. Jim wasn’t afraid of Betsy, he just wanted to get Sophie out of her reach. The effort to run on the sand was becoming too much for the woman. Her attire was cumbersome and she was uncomfortably hot. She stopped and shouted with a wheeze, ‘Stop that lad, he is a criminal and he’s stolen my granddaughter, bring her back ‘ere.’ Her knotty finger was pointing accusingly. Some of the day trippers appeared startled by the commotion but were clearly wary of getting involved. A portly built gentleman tried to block their way, his stance was clumsy allowing Jim to outmanoeuvre him. ‘Where are you going with that girl, young man? Stop now!’ Bawled the man as he lunged towards them. ‘I’m not her granddaughter!’ Shouted Sophie, now panting with the effort of running on the sand.
