Kelly padded to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water was hot and she stepped straight in. She couldn’t still her mind, but washing her hair helped a little. The city was grimy and her skin felt deeply unclean. Even her nostrils had dirt in them.

After she’d finished, she wrapped herself in a thick towel and lay on the bed to call Johnny.

‘Hey,’ she said, grateful for the sound of his voice.

‘Kelly? How’s it going? When can you come home?’ He got straight to the point, but it was just what she needed to hear. The close proximity to Matt in such an intense environment was challenging, and more than once she’d questioned her motives for coming.

‘Soon, I hope. There’s so much still to do, but I think there are a few developments up there as well that might bring me back. It’s just good to get to know what I’m dealing with down here, face to face. What have you been up to?’

‘I took Ted to Tarn Hows. The weather was spectacular. We cracked open a flask of tea and chewed over his younger days, when he first set eyes on your mum.’

‘He can talk once he gets going.’

‘I don’t mind. It’s good for both of us. We appreciate the same things.’

Kelly nodded, though Johnny couldn’t see it. She knew what he meant, and in her small, clinical hotel room, she pictured the two of them sitting on a picnic rug drinking tea.

‘When’s the last time you saw Graeme?’ she asked.

‘Millar?’

‘Hmm.’

‘Our last session, probably, so you were there. Why?’

‘It’s just I think finding the murder victim shook him. Could you check on him? See if he’s ok? Why don’t you ask him out for a pint while I’m away?’

‘Of course, I will. Is this as a friend or do you want me to pry?’

‘Come on, Johnny, you’re so good at it. It’s not as if I’m asking you to spy on him.’

‘All right. Anyway, are you naked?’

‘I’ve just got out of the shower.’

‘Oh Jesus. Don’t tell me that.’

She lay back on the bed and smiled, closing her eyes. She sighed deeply and realised that the tension in her shoulder blades had returned, something that hadn’t bothered her in ages. She tried rubbing it, but she couldn’t reach. ‘I need a massage.’

‘You’d better come home, then. Have you finished for the day?’

‘For the day, yes, but I’m going back in after I’ve had a floppy sandwich from the corner shop.’

‘Nice. Can’t you find something better in our capital city?’

‘I’m not really hungry.’