‘No,’ I say, pushing her hand away. ‘I can’t …’

‘Well then, at least let me drive you home,’ she says, gesturing to her car, which is poking out of the driveway, the driver’s door wide open. ‘Where do you live?’

‘Look, I’m fine,’ I say. ‘Give me a couple of minutes to catch my breath and then I’ll walk back.’

‘I can’t let you do that,’ she says firmly. ‘I’m a doctor and I can clearly see that you are in no fit state to walk anywhere. I insist.’

I glance at the long country lane that leads back to the village. She’s right. I’d never make it, not the way I’m feeling right now. I hate being like this, unable even to help myself.

‘Lewes,’ I say, looking down at my feet. ‘I’m staying in Lewes. In this place.’

I open my bag, take out the crumpled B & B brochure and hand it to her.

‘Oh, okay,’ she says, frowning. ‘Now, why don’t you get in the car and I’ll drive you back. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’

‘It’s Maggie Allan,’ I say as I follow her to the car.

‘I’m Julia,’ she says, opening the passenger door for me. ‘Julia Mathers.’

She gestures at me to get in the car. I step forward but as I grab the door my heart lurches in my chest. I’m back at the riverbank, holding on to the car with all my might. I hear screams, desperate screams. It’s Elspeth. She’s trapped.

Mummy!

Elspeth. No!

‘Maggie?’

I turn round and as I look at Julia’s concerned face I remember something: a figure in red.

I close my eyes and try to will the memory back. The car rolling. Elspeth screaming. Turning to cry for help. A flash of red. A figure? Or just my mind playing tricks on me? I shake my head in frustration. The memory had seemed so clear just a moment ago and now it’s gone.

‘Maggie? Are you okay?’

I look up at Julia, another stranger taking pity on me.

‘I’m fine,’ I say as I get into the car.

But as we drive away all I can hear is the sound of Elspeth’s screams.

‘Is this the place?’

Julia has stopped the car outside the B & B. I look out of the window and see the stone lions standing guard outside the front door.

‘Yes,’ I say, my heart sinking at the thought of returning to that empty room.

I unclip my seat belt and open the door. I’m about to turn and thank her for the lift when I see that she is getting out of the car.