Just before they retired to bed, Amber said, ‘If you don’t mind listening for Charlotte, I think I’ll just go for a short stroll before I turn in. It’s been so hot today I’ve felt at times like I was goin’ to melt.’

Amber slipped outside into the warm balmy evening. She was still feeling slightly nervous about the intruder who had entered the house earlier so decided not to venture too far and wandered across the grass to the top of the cliff and the path that led down to the beach where the cool sea breeze was like a balm on her hot skin. She was standing there staring out to sea and enjoying the peace and quiet when she suddenly sensed someone watching her and whirling about, she narrowed her eyes and gasped with fear as in the gloom she saw Bertie Preston standing behind her. The smell of stale sweat issuing from him was appalling and he now sported a straggly beard and his clothes were crumpled and stained.

‘What’s wrong? Ain’t you pleased to see me?’ he taunted her.

‘I-I think you should leave, Bertie.’ Her voice was more of a squeak. ‘The police are out lookin’ for you an’ I wouldn’t like to be in your shoes when they find you!’ Her heart was thumping so loudly that she was sure he would hear it.

He grinned. ‘Oh, I’m goin’ never you fear,’ he rasped. ‘But not afore I take what’s rightly mine!’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean you livin’ wi’ your fancy ’usband an’ your bastard. It should ’ave been me that put a ring on yer finger an’ a bairn in your stomach. I still might after what I ’ave in mind for you!’

Now she was really scared and took a tentative step back from him, very aware that they were perilously close to the edge of the cliff. ‘Don’t be so stupid, Bertie,’ she snapped harshly. ‘Just do yourself a favour an’ get away before you land yourself in even more trouble an’ I’ll forget I ever saw you.’

He was coming closer and the ripe smell of him grew even stronger but she was too afraid to move any further back.

‘I’m goin’ to ’ave you right now an’ then I’m goin’ to leave your pretty face lookin’ so ugly your old man won’t want to come near you ever again,’ he ground out and in that moment, as a weak moon sailed from behind a cloud, she saw the glint of a knife in his hand.