‘No,’ he says. He wants to punish me, have me clean him again. He wants to make a point. I could argue, but I know better. I can’t very well make him. Cross that bridge when we get there.

Danny gets up and reties his wrists. I point the gun, eyes damp, mouth shut firm, trying not to cry too hard. I’m making my arm shake and it’s not good for my aim. When Danny tightens the last knot Sherwin gasps and gives him such a look I feel as though I’ve swallowed a frozen pebble. Danny walks back studying his feet. I stand beside him.

‘Good luck,’ Sherwin says.

Outside, I lock the door quietly. The sky looks like the inside of a seashell, pink and blue and glistening grey. Danny covers me. The stance he takes, both hands on the gun, head twisting with stiff jerks, would be ludicrous if I weren’t so frightened. He goes up the stairs first. I put down the plates, unlock the door to our building, pick up the plates and go inside. It’s a slow, laborious business but after what happened to the woman at 64 we take our time. No sense hurrying to lose your life.

I let myself into our flat, noticing Danny hang back. I frown.

‘I was thinking, maybe I should work.’

‘What, now?’

‘Before it gets dark.’

‘But it’s not even twelve.’

‘Yeah, but the later it gets the more difficult it’ll be. It is winter.’

There’s logic in his argument, I can see that. I don’t want to, though; I want tea, hugs, conversation. I don’t want him out there again.

‘You could go tomorrow. Early.’

Danny says nothing. I don’t even make sense to myself.

‘We’re running low.’

‘On what?’

I know full well what he means.

‘Everything. It’s only the house. I’ll be back before dark.’

‘OK, if you say so.’

He comes over, holds me close, kisses the top of my head, between the centre parting of my braids.

‘I’ll be OK. Promise.’

‘Take this,’ I say, and duck beneath the cold embrace of the crowbar, lifting it from my shoulders and over my head. He puts it on his back. After, I give him the keys.

‘Don’t answer the door to anyone who knocks, any time. Not even me,’ he says. ‘Promise?’

‘I promise.’

‘Back soon. Love you.’

‘I love you too.’

The building door shakes when it slams. I stand there for a long time, hoping he changes his mind. I wonder what Sherwin’s thinking.