‘What?’ I said, struggling to make sense of her words. I’m not a sleepwalker, or at least I’m not aware of being one. And I didn’t understand how I had come to be in her kitchen with her fussing over me. I could see how dark it was outside, but it was only when I looked at the clock that I realised it was 2 a.m.

Thea pulled a chair close to mine and reached for my hand. ‘I found you outside, Judith. You were by the garage. I woke up because the security lights came on. I’m usually a heavy sleeper, so it’s lucky my knees were playing me up and I was awake. Don’t you remember?’

Thea seemed as baffled as I was, and hard as I have tried, I can remember nothing.

When she thought I had warmed up enough, Thea helped me upstairs and into bed, but although I’ve been curled up here ever since, I haven’t slept. I dread to think what might have happened if she hadn’t found me. Thea says I had her car keys in my hand. I must have been intending to go somewhere. What was I doing? It could have been a disaster.

I feel dreadful – nauseous, achy, my head is sore, even to touch. What happened to me? Have I got some kind of fever?

I don’t know, but all I can think is, thank God Thea found me.

I’ve finally managed to force myself to leave the safe haven of my bed. I had to get up because in reality it’s not my bed, it’s Thea and Garrick’s, and I need to find a way of getting my own bed – and house – back.

I’m getting the events of last night completely out of proportion. Yes, it was a shock to learn that I had nearly driven off in a comatose state, but I didn’t. It has never happened before, and I’m sure it will never happen again. I need to snap out of it.

After a shower I begin to feel human again, and I know I must start planning my future. I’ll ask Thea if I can borrow the car tomorrow to go into town for some legal and financial advice, and then I’ll go to see Ian. There’s so much to sort out, and I’ve been languishing here for far too long.

I’ve just finished dressing when I hear footsteps, and the door at the top of the stairs opens.

‘Hello, dear. How are you feeling?’ Thea asks. She is carrying what looks like a wide-necked Thermos flask.

‘Cross with myself,’ I say. ‘I shouldn’t have made such a meal of what happened. It was strange, and I felt weird, but I’ve got to get a grip. Do you think it would be possible to borrow the car tomorrow, please?’