‘I’m not quite sure how to tell you this, my dear, but the doctor was listening to the radio. He does that sometimes when he can’t sleep.’

I wish she would get to the point, and I lean towards her, my hands gripping the edge of the bath.

‘I’m afraid they’re saying that a man has been killed in Crumpsall. They’re not giving any more details until his next of kin has been traced, of course, but we thought you should know.’

I wonder what that has to do with me. Yes, my house is in Crumpsall, but I don’t know many people – only Ian. I feel my eyes opening wide. Surely that can’t be what she means?

‘Ian?’ I ask, the word almost choking me.

‘We don’t know, Judith. They’re saying that the man was attacked and suffered multiple skull fractures. They won’t say any more. I’m so sorry to have to ask you, but do you know where you were tonight?’

I can feel myself staring blankly at her. I don’t know what she is talking about. The last thing I can remember is climbing into bed. I don’t know why I was outside, but if I was then surely I couldn’t have driven anywhere? I give a tiny shake of the head.

Thea purses her lips and nods. ‘When I found you, you had rather a lot of blood on your clothes. You seemed dazed by whatever had happened to you – you couldn’t speak.’

I feel tears spring to my eyes. What’s going on? Surely I can’t have hurt Ian? That must be wrong. I know I was furious this afternoon, but he was fine when I left. Thea was there. She knows he was okay. But she’s saying I went out later, after everyone was in bed.

My gaze returns to the blood-drenched clothing on the floor, and I can’t tear my eyes from it. Thea reaches into the shadows for a towel and lifts it to shakes out its folds. The candlelight flickers and grows stronger for a moment.

I gasp. Protruding from under my jumper is a rubber-covered handle. It too is covered in blood, and I recognise it. I remember buying it weeks ago. I keep it on a shelf in the garage.

I don’t have to see its split, curved, stainless-steel head to know that it is a claw hammer.

CHAPTER 32

32

I’m still shaking, and it’s hours since I woke up in the bath. However tightly I curl myself up in the bed, I can’t get warm, and the tears won’t stop.