The sudden crash of thunder and whip-crack of hissing, jagged lightning made them both jump.

Sandra screamed and threw herself across Terence, making him momentarily loosen his grip on the steering wheel.

The sedan swerved alarmingly towards the gravelled edge of the highway and the deep storm-water run-offs.

His pulse was racing as he battled to shove Sandra out of the way and keep the car on the road. But they’d been going too fast and the tyres spat gravel as they skidded ever nearer that storm ditch.

‘We’re going to die,’ she screamed, still clutching his arm.

Terence yanked on the steering wheel as the rear of the car threatened to fishtail over the edge. The tyres found enough purchase to carry them away from the gravel, and they spun out into the middle of the road, coming to a halt on the other side. The sweat was cold on his back, his heart was hammering and his hands were trembling so badly he could barely manage to turn off the ignition.

They sat in stunned silence as the overheated engine ticked beneath the car bonnet and the lightning continued to rip through the skies. ‘Don’t ever do that again,’ he said with cold fury. ‘You could have killed us both.’

Sandra was shaking, her face white with shock. She crept back into his arms and huddled there like a frightened child. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said tearfully, ‘but I’m terrified of thunderstorms, and that was so loud and much too close.’

He forgave her instantly and cupped her face in his hands, softly kissing her lips and eyelids to ease her fears and reassure her. ‘It’s all right,’ he murmured as she looked back at him with green eyes still sparkling with tears. ‘The storm will move away soon.’

She jerked away from him suddenly, her eyes wide with fear as she looked over his shoulder. ‘What was that?’ she said sharply.

He glanced back but could see nothing in the profound darkness beneath the closely packed line of trees. ‘You’re imagining things,’ he replied wearily. ‘It’s probably just shadows cast by the lightning.’

She pointed with a bright red fingernail. ‘Over there, look,’ she hissed impatiently. ‘There’s someone hiding in those trees.’

Terrence bit down on his own impatience and turned to look properly at where she was pointing. He had keen eyesight, but could see no sign of anyone lurking in the shadows. ‘I can’t see anything out there,’ he said flatly.

‘There’s a man,’ she retorted. ‘I saw him watching us. Get us out of here, and quick, Terry. I don’t like it.’

‘We’re miles from the nearest town, and no one in their right mind would be wandering about out here in this.’

‘That’s my point exactly,’ she shouted. ‘It’s a madman, and if we don’t get away from here, he’ll … he’ll …’