‘Shit. We haven’t had bin day since, have we?’ Anna felt the panic rising in her voice.

‘No, not until tomorrow.’

Anna rushed out of the door, ran to the black wheelie bin and flung the lid open. It banged against the side. Relief flooded her. Underneath a bin-liner and some wax cartons, she spotted dirty-blonde hair. Reaching in, she grabbed a handful and dragged the head out. She hoped if there was a note, it was still tucked inside. She didn’t relish the thought of having to empty the entire contents of the bin to find a scrap of paper. She tried to angle the head so the light was right and she could see inside. Yes, there was something in there. Another white piece of paper, just like those found within the limbs. Anna pushed two fingers inside and was able to grasp hold of it and withdraw it.

She quickly returned to the shed and deposited the head inside the cupboard. The pieces of paper were lined up on the top, in order of receipt, weighted down with jam jars that now held screws and nails. Three notes. Three threats, if you wanted to take it that way. Which Anna did now, as she read them in order:

SOMEONE KNOWS THE TRUTH

SOMEONE HAS BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS

SOMEONE HAS TO PAY

She wondered what Lizzie would make of them when she got here. She still hadn’t called to say she was on her way. Had she chickened out? Perhaps she’d realised Anna was on to her.

No matter. At least she had evidence. It was about time to pay Pat a visit. She’d give Lizzie another hour to turn up, then go across to Tina’s.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

2019

Lizzie

As soon as Lizzie had parked up next to Muriel’s house, Anna appeared in the doorway.

‘I didn’t think you were coming,’ she said, her voice lowered so Lizzie could barely hear her. ‘You said you’d call when you were on your way.’ Anna closed the front door cautiously and stepped outside.

‘Sorry, I was distracted, didn’t realise the time,’ Lizzie said. Which was true. Her walk with Billy had taken longer than she’d anticipated. ‘What’s so important?’ she asked. Lizzie felt a pang of unease as she looked at Anna’s pale face – worry had etched its lines across her forehead.

‘Follow me,’ she instructed as she marched down the side of the house. Lizzie gave a furtive glance around, then followed. She wondered where Muriel was. It seemed Anna didn’t want her involved. This sneaking around, trying to catch her before Muriel saw her set alarm bells ringing.

When Lizzie caught up, Anna was disappearing into a garden shed. She assumed Anna wanted her to go inside. Something caused her to hold back, the uneasy feeling she’d had a moment ago doubling in intensity. But, bearing in mind she’d just spent two hours with a convicted murderer, she weighed up the risk this petite, boring teacher-type woman posed and decided she’d be safe. For now, at least.