I felt trapped. I didn’t know whether to run along the corridor and barge into the room where I had heard Thea and the doctor talking, or to hunt around for my boots, but it felt so wrong to be sneaking around this massive house with its unlit corridors. I felt like a burglar, and my panic was out of all proportion to what was happening. I tried to explain away the empty shoe rack, but I couldn’t get away from the fact that I was sure Thea had been talking about me earlier, and I began to feel as if the dark walls of the house were crowding in on me. I slumped onto the bottom stair, trying to get a grip, trying to work out what on earth I was going to do. I felt trapped. A prisoner.

I didn’t hear Thea approaching. The first I knew she was there was when a hand came down on my shoulder.

‘Thea,’ I squealed. ‘You frightened me.’

I looked up into her kind face and realised what an idiot I was being. I was making things up – weaving all kinds of evil thoughts around these people who had only shown me kindness. Admittedly the doctor can be a bit strange, but maybe all psychiatrists are. I don’t know.

‘What on earth’s the matter?’ Thea asked, briskly rubbing the top of my arm.

‘I wanted some fresh air. But my boots have gone, and I didn’t bring any other shoes with me.’

She gave a light tinkling laugh. ‘They’ve not gone, dear; they’re in the utility room. They were muddy after your walk today, and I was sure you were going to want to go into town soon. I was going to suggest a trip tomorrow, so I thought I would give them a quick clean for you.’

I felt such a fool. She was being kind, and I was being an idiot. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I was thinking of going in the morning, before the cleaners arrive. You said there’s a tram stop nearby, didn’t you?’

‘There is, but you don’t need to worry about that. You can take my car any time you like. Come with me, and I’ll show you where the keys are kept. If I need a car, I’ll take the doctor’s. He doesn’t go out much on his own. Come on. Get up off that cold step and come into the kitchen.’

Not only was I clearly not a prisoner, but she was giving me free access to her car. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.