He laughed. ‘Get to bed!’

I closed the car door and ran up the steps, waved as I reached the doorstep, and he started the engine. The front door was unlocked. Kate had left it that way in case I’d forgotten my keys. I never have, to my knowledge, but it is a possibility that seems to obsess her.

Inside, the house was in darkness. I guessed she and Adam were already in bed. She must have been making flapjacks during the evening because the smell of apple and cinnamon lingered temptingly in the hallway. I tiptoed up the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. There was no need to switch on the light. Enough orange glow came from the solitary lamp post outside the house, shining in through the landing window, for me to see well enough as I fumbled for my keys.

As it turned out, I hadn’t locked my door anyway. Not like me to forget, but I’d had a stressful day. I dumped my bag and keys in the nearest armchair, kicked off my shoes and padded over to the bookcase with the intention of switching on the table lamp that stood on it.

I didn’t make it to the switch. I froze with a clutching feeling of horror in the pit of my stomach and the absolute certain knowledge that I wasn’t alone. Someone was in the darkness with me, someone breathing softly, someone close.

‘Who’s there?’ My voice sounded sharp with fear. I reached out for the lamp and a sudden violent shove sent me toppling forward. I fell against the bookcase and the lamp crashed to the floor. Swift footsteps crossed the room, I heard the door open.

I struggled to my knees in time to see a figure silhouetted in the doorway, illuminated by the orange lamplight.

‘Hey!’ I yelled.

It turned to look at me, eyes glittering over a ski mask. I staggered to my feet and scrambled towards the door. I didn’t see what the figure was holding until it was too late: a heavy, rubber-covered torch. I saw the glass disc, a blinding circle of white light as the figure raised its arm. I saw it in a sweeping blur as I averted my face and it hit me hard across the side of the head. I didn’t see anything after that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Three blurred faces were hanging over me. I blinked as Adam, Kate and Richard swam into focus.

‘It’s all right, Juno,’ Kate told me reassuringly. ‘You’re going to be all right.’

I wondered what in the hell she was talking about, why she was in her dressing gown and why she was holding my hand. ‘The ambulance is on its way,’ she said brightly, as if she was announcing some special treat. As she leant forward her long, dark plait swung down and brushed my face.