We went back into the warmth to wait for the tow-truck, much to Digby’s great excitement. He hated spending his days alone; despite the fact Jenny had started to walk him regularly while I was at work, I felt guilty whenever I left him at home. Seb offered to take him for a trot round the block while I made some coffee and scrambled eggs. If I didn’t eat soon, I’d be sick. I chopped mushrooms like my life depended on it, narrowly avoiding slicing my little finger off in rage. Switching the kettle on, I noticed the red light flashing on my answer-phone.

There were two messages: one from Stefano Costana asking if he could bring an ‘interested party’ round to see the flat – the other from an extremely agitated Mrs Forlani, who lived opposite. She was worried, she said, mia bella Maggie, she didn’t want to appear nosy but there’d been a stranger lurking by my front door for much of the evening. A couple of times he’d even tried the handle, but when Matteo had gone down to see if he could help, he’d disappeared. Then they saw him again before they went to bed, about ten last night, which is when she’d rung me.

Abandoning the mushrooms, I sat down at the table, head in my hands. I lit a cigarette, jumped up, paced up and down the kitchen, thinking. I wasn’t very certain of a lot of things right now, but one thing I knew for sure: this just couldn’t go on. Something had to give – and soon it would be my brain.

‘The tow-truck’s here.’ Seb bounded into the kitchen, Digby at his heels, bringing the cold in with them. I shivered.

‘Good.’ I stared out of the window at the tail-lights of a train. ‘Look, Seb,’ I turned back, ‘I’m going to call the police, okay? I think you were right to do it last time. This is all starting to really freak me out.’

‘I’m not surprised.’ He kissed the top of my head. ‘Whatever you think, babe.’

‘And then I’m going to get out of London.’

He looked quizzical.

‘After work, I’m going down to Cornwall.’ I contemplated my feet. ‘I think I might have mentioned it last night.’ I had nothing to lose – especially if my stalker got me first. ‘You could – I was serious about you coming with me, if you like.’

I tore my eyes from the floor to find Seb looking rather awkward.

‘Thanks, babe. It’s a really tempting offer. I’m just not sure –’

I cut across his words, grinding my cigarette out briskly. ‘It’s fine, Seb. Really. You don’t have to explain.’

‘Maggie, honestly, I’d love to come. It’s just, with rehearsals and everything at the moment, I’m not sure I can get away. The show goes up next week.’

‘Up where?’