Two days later, I found an announcement in the ‘Birthdays’ section, placed by Max Parkinson. HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY to Hillier Parkinson, with love from all the family. Xxx. It was not a hard code to crack. ‘Max’ was a version of Maxine’s already-probably-fake name. ‘Second’ meant in two days. ‘Hillier Parkinson’ was the park on top of the hill. ‘Xxx’ signalled 3 p.m.

Two days later, at three in the afternoon, I walked through a small park at the top of a short hill. Few people came to this quiet place. Although close to the centre of town, it was hidden from view and not on a direct path to anywhere the tourists would want to get.

The park was in the shape of an octagon, bounded by ornamental trees and shrubs. A gravelled path skirted the perimeter, with offshoots leading towards the centre, which was laid with tiles. The tiles were painted with botanical designs.

At the park’s outer edge were benches. I aimed myself towards one and sat down on what was essentially a slab of concrete supported by blue bricks, putting the bag of delicatessen treats I’d bought a few minutes earlier onto the seat beside me. There were honey-roasted cashews, a salad of olives, sun-dried tomatoes and pasteurised feta, sourdough bread with fresh herbs, and chocolates stuffed with hazelnut praline.

I was still waiting for my heart to slow down from the effort of walking up the hill, when an old woman entered the park from the opposite side. She hobbled slowly until she reached my bench, then lowered herself onto the other end.

I’d brought my phone, not wanting to draw Zac’s attention by leaving it behind again, and banking on the fact that there was nothing about a shopping trip and stroll through the centre of town to alarm him when he checked whatever tracking alerts he’d installed.

I was about to say a polite and neutral hello to the old woman, to test a theory that she might not be an old woman at all, when my phone rang. I was not surprised to see Zac’s name flash across the screen. I hit accept and said hello.

‘Where are you?’

As if you didn’t know. I made an effort at hyper-cheerfulness and told him the truth. ‘I’m sitting in the park. The sky is all clean and washed by spring, the primroses are out, and your baby girl is doing somersaults.’ I’d checked with Milly before I left, and she confirmed he was at the hospital. ‘Everything okay at work?’

‘Fine. How did you get there?’

‘I walked. Even pregnant women need regular air and exercise. As a doctor, you know that.’ I was very aware of the old woman, though she was studiously ignoring me.

‘You shouldn’t tire yourself.’