A shocked neighbour explained how the male victim had pre-warned them of the party. ‘His note was very civil. Everything was relaxed until when it must have happened.

‘There was a lot of screaming and shouting. The police arrived a few minutes later. The road was closed off all night and even now there are twelve police cars parked outside.’

Police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch, and appeal to the public not to speculate.

Chief Superintendent Tony James, of West Midlands Police, said: ‘The investigation is in its very early stages and our thoughts are with the families of both of the deceased.’

29

29 Seven months later

‘Welcome to Ghost Town Studios.’ James Worthing opened the red, imp-adorned door wide, and stepped back to let Suki in. He’d cut his hair and shaved his beard, and it suited him. He looked good, confident, adult. His hand-stitched indigo linen jacket, fine silver denim trousers and canvas sneakers were trimly elegant and spoke of a sense of style he’d clearly retained from his sojourn in Japan. You don’t learn that shit in the Midlands.

‘Thank you,’ she said with a warm smile. ‘It’s been a while.’ Precisely since the night your father died, she didn’t say. ‘How are you keeping?’

‘Well, thanks,’ James said, before checking himself. ‘Of course, it’s taken some time to get over the shock and all that.’ But it was clear to Suki that he was recovering just fine; thriving, in fact, now that the overbearing paternal shade had cleared.

As if recognising what Suki saw in him, James expanded. ‘My aunt’s still out for blood – she’s suing Picton and the contractor for criminal negligence.’

‘What? She doesn’t accept the findings of the investigation? That it was an unfortunate accident?’

James tilted his head, evidently replaying what had happened that night. Petra’s urgency to get the headphones to Worthing. ‘She doesn’t – we don’t – believe that was all there was to it.’ Suki’s breath hitched before James continued, ‘The bastards were taking shortcuts. Picton apparently paid this guy to sign the electrical compliance off, but the wiring was riddled with faults. If it wasn’t that socket, it would have been another. We had it all stripped out and replaced.’ He paused. ‘But of course, none of that will bring him back.’

So, if Petra hadn’t run, she might have got away with it. Stupid girl. Suki sighed and the lump inside her throbbed.

‘No,’ she said, swirling around and expelling the dark past. ‘It looks wonderful in here, James. It feels really open.’ The main passageway felt wider and natural light was cascading down the stairs.

‘Yeah, it took some work to make it accessible.’

‘And it’s so light.’