“Take it easy,” Dan said as he tried to buckle his seatbelt. “We want to get there in one piece and I don’t think we need the police. This is Ted we’re talking about.”

“Exactly. I know you think he’s Mr Nice Guy but he’s been quite nasty to Heather since the fire.”

“He’s been under a lot of pressure.”

“That’s no excuse for hitting your wife,” Paula said.

Dan gripped the dashboard as Paula rounded a sharp bend. “Paula, please slow down.”

“You didn’t hear her voice, Dan. She was scared.”

“Well, we can’t help her if we end up in a ditch.”

Paula eased up on the accelerator. Dan was right. She was going a bit fast.

“What did Heather say when she rang?” he said.

Paula tried to replay the conversation she’d had with Heather. “She said Ted was in a bad state and she didn’t know what to do and she was frightened.”

“Of Ted?”

Paula chewed her bottom lip. “I don’t think she actually said she was frightened of Ted, just that she was frightened. He was at the doctor’s surgery today. He nearly knocked me over in the corridor.”

“Knocked you over?”

“Well, he pushed past me. Not that I think he even knew I was there. But when he came back, he was quite rude to Heather in front of everyone in the waiting room.”

“That doesn’t mean he’d hit her.” Dan pushed his hat back and scratched his head. “That doesn’t make sense.”

Paula glanced across at him. He was staring straight ahead; his forehead was creased in a frown.

“What do you think happened then?”

“I don’t know. Ted and Heather have been through some tough times and they’ve worked hard together. I know Ted can get snappy sometimes but there’s never been any sign of violence.”

“Why would Heather be frightened?”

Dan didn’t answer and Paula glanced across at him again before turning back to negotiate the ramp at the start of the Watson’s drive.

“Maybe…she’s frightened for him.”

Paula had an instant recollection of the woman in the doctor’s surgery, all those weeks ago, who had been so worried about her husband’s mental state. She glanced across at Dan who was rigidly staring ahead.

“Dear God,” she said under her breath, “surely he wouldn’t…”

Heather appeared at the gate as Paula pulled up. Dan was out of the car before she could switch it off. He spoke to Heather but Paula couldn’t make out the mumbled reply as she got out of the car.

Dan turned back to Paula. “Take Heather inside. Ted’s gone off on foot and I’m going to go look for him.”

“What’s the matter?” Paula looked from Dan’s grim face to Heather’s tear-streaked, weary features.