‘Don’t be silly,’ I laughed. Out in the dark I suddenly felt free for the first time in weeks. I breathed in the cold country air, the vast sky above looking like someone had chucked a bucket of stars into the blackness, the night that went on forever now we were out of London’s grime. I always felt like this on the long road to Cornwall – like I was being reborn. Through the glass, I watched Seb at the counter of the coffee shop and felt a rush of optimism.

‘Honestly, it’s probably nothing. It’s probably just some random nutter.’ I squashed the memories as best I could. ‘I’m sure it is.’

‘We have had a couple of complaints from property owners around you who’ve been harassed by a local family called the Frenches. Have you come across them?’

‘No. I don’t think so.’

‘They seem to think the area’s being taken over by –’ slight embarrassment crept through his tone – ‘by what they call very politely “a load of ponces”. We’re keeping an eye on them, believe me. Just got to catch ’em in the act, you see.’

‘Really? You mean, like a grudge?’ I grasped this information gladly; I was in desperate need for some respite. ‘Well, that might make sense. I’m out of London for a few days anyway, so I should be fine.’

‘Right. Well, look, just keep in touch, okay?’

‘I will, DI Fox. Thanks very much.’

Seb appeared out of the darkness bearing steaming coffee. He kissed my neck and I squirmed with pleasure, hardly concentrating on Fox’s final words. ‘I’ll speak to you sometime not too soon, I hope.’

It wasn’t until my mobile rang again halfway down the M5 that I realised I hadn’t mentioned my worries about Gar to DI Fox. Seb picked up the phone again.

‘Hello?’

There was a pause, then he held the phone out to me, his face darker suddenly. ‘Someone called Alex. He doesn’t sound too happy.’

I took the phone. ‘What do you want?’

‘What do you mean, what do I want? You rang me.’

‘No I didn’t,’ I muttered.

‘Yeah, you did.’

‘When?’ I frowned.

‘From Bel’s party last night, from what I could establish. Who the fuck just answered your phone?’ he snarled.

‘I’m driving, Alex,’ I said, ‘I can’t talk now.’ I didn’t want to draw Seb into this.

‘Well drive this, baby. Get the keys to the flat to Costana because I want to sell it fast before the market crashes. Okay?’

Even I was taken aback by Alex’s ferocity. By the hatred in his voice. ‘Don’t talk to me like that. What’s wrong with you, Alex?’

‘None of your fucking business.’

Digby barked suddenly as a Porsche whizzed by and was sucked up by the darkness.