From the path its owner whistled impatiently, waiting for the normally obedient dog to return, but Flo the collie didn’t much feel like obeying orders today. The scent she had lucked upon was far more exciting and, nostrils flaring, she followed her large black nose deeper into the undergrowth. Her owner worried the dog was about to roll in a cowpat, left by the cattle that roamed the common every summer.

‘Flo! Flo!’ The woman, jogging on the spot, keen to get on with her run, called the dog repeatedly. When it became apparent that the dog was not listening to her, she stopped jogging and stomped towards the undergrowth, cursing to herself.

Standing in the low morning light, it was difficult to see much in the woodland on Stourbridge Common. A low mist hung over everything and the place was strangely still.

‘Flo?’ The woman spun on her heels when she heard the crack of a twig to her right, but the dog was nowhere to be seen.

Gingerly, the woman stepped deeper into the trees, being careful not to snag her Lycra running leggings on anything, but more aware of the damage that could be done to her ludicrously expensive trainers.

Her heart was beating hard and sweat sprinkled her brow as she pushed her way further into the thicket. She stopped for a moment to listen and could hear barking in the distance. Following the sound, she went deeper into the woodland, suddenly feeling very alone.

Through the mist she could make out Flo’s tail wagging furiously, making the mist particles dance around like fairy dust.

‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ The woman ranted, relieved to have found her dog but frustrated by her behaviour. The collie still wouldn’t come to her, so she found herself clambering over wild shrubs to reach her.

Flo sat patiently, and waited for her owner to come and join in the discovery.

There, in the clearing, was a woman’s body. Her hair was a mess and she was lying on her front, quite still, among the small red flowers. She was naked and bruised, and her head was caved in like an eggshell.

The woman stumbled backwards in horror and tripped over a large log, landing on the ground with a thud and cutting open the palm of her hand on a rock, as she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

1

5.25pm 21 June

As Toni stepped out of her immaculate home onto the pristine lawn, she tucked her phone into her fake Gucci bag and smiled to herself. She stroked the side of the faux leather designer handbag with her nails – long, manicured and painted beige – and trotted away from the red brick bungalow, across the lawn.

Her curled, highlighted hair bounced with enthusiasm as she pulled her large sunglasses down over her deep brown eyes. She smelt good, she looked good and she knew it.