Trying to settle myself, I set off on the short drive to meet Michael. But as I was still queuing to leave the car park, I noticed the same blue car was second in line behind me. The beeping of a car horn brought me back to my senses. The queue of traffic in front of me had cleared while I was staring through my rear-view mirror. Hands shaking, I drove off.

My eyes darted to the mirror again. The blue car was now directly behind me. I could just make out the shape of a figure driving, the same black hoodie that I’d seen before was pulled up over their head. Was it the same hoodie-wearer who’d been outside Molly’s crèche?

I reached my hand across to the passenger seat, felt around for the phone the police had given me. All I would have to do was press one button.

I remembered the police station across the street, so I doubled back on myself. The blue car turned too, continued following me. It was only when I pulled into the lay-by outside the station gates that it sped up and raced past. Trembling, I put my head on the steering wheel and wished for everything to go away. I jumped when my own mobile rang seconds later. It was Michael phoning to see if I was on my way.

Hearing the timbre of my voice, he knew something was up.

‘Rachel, are you okay? What’s wrong?’

I was shaking so hard by then that my teeth were chattering and I couldn’t stop shivering.

‘I think I’ve just been followed.’

I heard a sharp intake of breath. ‘Who by? Where are you?’

‘Remember that blue car that was at the lay-by the other night? It followed me out of the Tesco car park. I’m sitting outside Waterside Police Station now. I figured if I drove here, whoever it was wouldn’t be able to get to me.’

‘Jesus, Rachel! I don’t like this. Stay there. I’ll come to you.’

I shook my head. ‘It’s too public here, Michael. We might be seen.’

‘Does it matter? Can we not just be seen?’

He was pleading and I knew he wanted me to say to him that I didn’t care if anyone found out, but I did. I had to care.

‘Please, Michael. I … I’m sure he’s gone now. I’ll come to you. It’ll be okay.’

With more than a hint of frustration in his voice, he agreed to wait for me. Told me to be careful, just as Paul had done.