“The thing is, Carrie, I never went to that coffee shop with him. I definitely never took him there, and as far as I'm aware I never mentioned it. It's purely a work-related place. I pop in there on my way home from work. At weekends I go to Remo’s, which is my local coffee shop around the corner. And the only place I went with him. Then, I get an e-mail with a link to his latest art installation. I say installation loosely, because it's in his own home, not a gallery. It's called: “If I can't have her nobody can.” Let's just say it's misogynistic at best, and at worst full-on woman hating. He's moved on from using the crisp packets, the chocolate wrappers, and all that kind of stuff, and taken to modern art painting and photography. Here, take a look.”

I look at the picture on her phone, and a burst of nausea hits me. It's a montage of photographs of what looks like a shop mannequin, but posed in strange positions, with the face nothing but a blank white mask, and a wig that matches Jade's own long dark hair.

“Well, that's somewhat disturbing,” I say.

“You don't think I'm overreacting?” There’s hope in her voice.

I pause before I answer because I don't want to scare her unnecessarily, but if anything I think she's underreacting. The art is horrible and creepy. As I'm looking at her phone, she swipes left and some more pictures appear. It looks like two pairs of legs from a mannequin at strange angles, and in the middle of them is a bird’s nest where if it was a normal woman her private parts would be. This dude is a freak.

After the photographs come paintings. All with women have blank faces, hair like Jade, and bird’s nest for pussies.

“I don't want to panic you, but this stuff isn't normal.”

“I know.” She sighs. “It's my fault. I always like them a bit edgy, and look where that gets me.”

“Don't you dare victim blame yourself,” I tell her sternly.

I think for a moment and then glance over at Samuel, whose eyes are flicking around the room, alert at all times.

“Maybe what you need is a bodyguard.” I arch one brow at her and contemplate her reaction.

She gives a soft laugh. “I think that might be going a bit too far, don't you?”

“It's not as if you can't afford it. I guess these guys aren't cheap; although, I don't know how much they do cost because Dad is paying. I could ask.”