‘And there’s no sign of this Callie? What steps have been taken?’

‘Poster campaign, local press. It’s not gone national yet. Her passport is still here, and lots of her clothes. She hasn’t accessed any bank accounts or used a credit card.’

I hear the woman sigh. ‘Okay. So it looks like it’s exactly what you said it was. A domestic that turned ugly. Can I have a look at the rest of the house?’

‘Sure. There’s more blood – it’s all still marked up for you.’

There is the sound of the kitchen door opening and then silence.

I don’t know what to do. If I try to escape into the garden and back over the wall, they might see me. But if I stay here, they might come back to use the toilet.

They know everything – the emails, the argument, and no doubt they have seen the texts too. Maybe they believe he beat me up and I retaliated, but there isn’t any evidence of that. I don’t have any bruises.

I know for certain that they’re looking for me now, and soon there will be nowhere for me to hide.

I don’t know how long I have been here, and I have no idea whether they have gone or not. It is fully light outside, and has been for a while. My calf muscles feel stiff, probably from a combination of being in one position for a long time and the icy cold coming from the floor, creeping up my legs.

There is no safe way for me to find out if the house is empty. I can either make a dash for it and hope they have gone, or I can edge open the door to the kitchen and listen for talking or movement. I won’t be able to hear them if they are upstairs, though.

Just as I have decided to risk leaving, I hear the sound of hurrying feet and a muttered expletive. There is a bang as the back door is slammed shut, then heavy footsteps head back to the kitchen, passing within inches of where I am standing. I hear a click as the kitchen door closes. The police officer had obviously forgotten the back door was still open. Had he come ten seconds later, he would have caught me.

Suddenly I don’t know if I can do this. I feel sick at the thought that I am hiding from the police, but I lean against the wall and take some deep breaths, telling myself that right now the only thing that matters is getting away from here safely.