Things could have ended very differently for her if Peter and Glynn hadn’t appeared when they did. She shuddered as she imagined the man plunging the knife deeper into her throat.

Her overactive imagination became grounded in reality when she heard the sound of footsteps in the corridor. She shot out of her seat, listening keenly, the blood pumping through her veins as she prepared to defend herself.

She wondered who it could be, but tried to reassure herself that it was just one of the staff. Whoever it was, they were coming from the direction of the back stairs; the same direction from which her attackers had approached that night.

When Glynn appeared at the door, Adele let out a slow breath, her shoulders slumping with relief.

‘You OK?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, sure,’ she said, feeling embarrassed by her over-reaction, and sitting back down at her desk.

‘I’ve just been double-checking the back door to make sure it’s locked. You’ve got no worries; I think we’ve finally got it through to the staff that they need to keep it locked.’

‘I wasn’t worried,’ she said, ‘just curious.’

‘You sure?’ Glynn asked, crossing the office and putting a reassuring hand on her arm.

She pulled away instinctively, the heat of his hand making her blush. Inside she was battling with conflicting emotions. After what had happened she felt vulnerable in this office on her own. Part of her wanted his protection, wanted him to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be OK. But another part of her railed against those feelings.

Adele didn’t want to be a victim; not any more. She’d had enough of that as a child and had fought against it during her time inside. When she left prison she’d promised herself that she would never again be vulnerable, that she could stand up for herself and didn’t need any man to protect her. Besides, her brother had warned her against Glynn and she knew he was bad news.

‘Yes, I’m sure,’ she said, willing him to leave. The thrill of his touch and the way he looked at her was too much.

But he remained where he was and gazed intently into her eyes. ‘You don’t need to act brave in front of me,’ he said. ‘No one would blame you for being a bit freaked out by what happened. After all, the bastard had a knife at your throat.’

‘I told you, I’m OK,’ Adele said. ‘I can handle myself.’

‘I’ve no doubt about that.’ He smiled and she felt her insides turn to mush.