I look up. ‘Why do you call me Judith?’ I ask. I know I have never given her any name at all.

‘We’re all called Judith. It makes it easier.’

‘Who for?’ I say, my voice rising in shock at her words. She takes a step back, obviously uneasy at my refusal to conform.

‘Please, Judith, just drink your tea. Thea will be coming for you soon. She’s going to be angry if you’ve not drunk it, and she might blame me. I can’t afford to upset her. Please, Judith,’ she begs, tears filling her eyes.

‘What do you mean, she’ll be coming for me?’ I ask, my heart once more starting to pound uncomfortably.

‘You’re due a treatment with the doctor. Honestly, it will be much better for you if you’ve had your tea.’

Before I can say another word, we hear the buzzer. The woman’s eyes go wide and she glances at my mug. She shakes her head frantically as she backs out of the room and scurries away, the door slamming behind her.

So what do I do? Do I drink my tea and conform, or do I risk incurring Thea’s wrath? I can hear the thunk of the bolts sliding back on the door at the head of the stairs. I only have a moment to decide.

CHAPTER 38

38

‘Jack?’ There was a question in Tom’s voice, one he didn’t need to ask. He knew exactly who this was and he couldn’t help feeling a leap of pleasure at the unexpected sight. ‘You’ve grown a beard.’

Jack laughed, his intense blue eyes dancing. ‘Is that all you’ve got to say?’

The last time Tom had seen his brother, all hell had broken loose and a man had died. Jack had then tricked him and disappeared into the night before Tom had had the chance to talk to him about anything important. They had spoken just once since that day, and Tom had felt an overwhelming sense of frustration, knowing that his brother was out there somewhere – he had no idea where – but that he was unable to speak to him. His only method of communication was via notes left on his laptop. But it was no substitute for being in the same room with him, talking face to face.

He had never had the chance in all these years to hug his brother and simply rejoice in the fact that he hadn’t died, so he walked across the kitchen, reached out his right hand and pulled Jack up off the chair towards him.

‘I guess that means I’m forgiven, then,’ Jack mumbled into Tom’s shoulder.

‘No, but it does mean I’m genuinely happy to see you. But why are you here? Isn’t it a huge risk?’