‘Prison is a very lonely place,’ he went on. ‘A very scary place.’ I felt my forehead erupt in beads of sweat. My breathing became very shallow. I looked at him. What must he think of me? A murderer. A key went in the front door.

‘How would she do what you suggest, my friend?’ I asked quickly, coming to. ‘Establish who saw what?’

He jerked his head to the house behind. ‘Well, I suggest she pops round and talks to them. Don’t forget, she’s the grieving widow, and so far the police have come up with nothing. She’s outraged. She could say she’s conducting her own inquiry, and was there anyone up there that night who was awake and might have seen something? They’ll probably say – well no, it was the middle of the night, and anyway, the police have already asked, or something.’

I inhaled sharply at the simplicity of this. No moths. ‘Yes,’ I breathed gratefully.

Tilly came sailing down the passageway. ‘The corner shop, would you believe!’ She brandished a bunch of fresh coriander. ‘Catering to the metropolitan elite. You shall have your Asian-inspired chicken swimming in aromatic coconut, monsieur.’

He turned: smiled. ‘Well done, Tills.’

She glanced at me and, clearly registering my pale and sweaty face, did a double take. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or anything?’ she asked kindly.

I was being drowned in kindness here. By this lovely, caring, perfect couple. ‘No, thank you,’ I managed. ‘I really must be going. I’ve taken up far too much of your time.’

I eased myself off my stool, and realized it was a bit sweaty. I walked towards the door. I had to pause a moment, however, en route, to shoot out a hand and steady myself on the kitchen door frame. Most of the time I’m fine, you see. In my cocooned, unreal little world. My bubble. But here in London, and after a morning like today’s, realizing Amanda was still after me, still had an agenda, it was all so real. Was always going to be real. Was never going to go away. However much I hid in the country and pretended it would. It was like that play, An Inspector Calls. One day, he would. That, I imagined, was what had brought me round here today. To seek some sort of closure myself. Before someone else sought it for me. To be author of my own destiny. I raised my head and removed my hand from the wall. I didn’t glance behind, because I knew Josh and Tilly would be watching me with concern. Instead I moved on down the hallway, opened the front door, which was easy, because it was mine, and went outside. I was about to shut the door behind me when I realized Josh had followed me down. He held the door in his hand.

‘Let me know how she gets on,’ he said quickly.