‘Have you still got that detective’s card? We should call him, make a complaint. Get the bastard arrested.’

‘Simon, I don’t think …’

‘Why not? Because he’s just a kid? Down on his luck? He’s threatening you, Beth. Stalking you. What do you think happens next?’

What does happen next? If she calls the police, they won’t do anything, not over one threatening note, even if they can prove it was him. She’s listened to enough true crime podcasts to know the police need to see a pattern, with plenty of proof to back it up. They might have a word with Mark, but he’ll still be free, and probably angrier, more determined to see her suffer. And more than that, she’ll be connected to the vile teenager for even longer. No, she needs to keep her head down, ride the storm. She’s navigated angry young men before, and she can do it again. But first, she needs to convince her husband.

‘I don’t want to give him more ammunition to hate me,’ she says. ‘He’s just sad about that old man and has nothing better to do than take it out on me. He’ll get bored eventually.’

‘And until then?’ Simon demands, not ready to accept her logic.

‘I’ll be careful.’ Beth tries her smile again, begging her facial muscles to obey.

‘I’m supposed to fly to Dublin tomorrow. How can I go now?’

Beth pauses. She hates the thought of Simon leaving her for three days, but she can’t ask him to stay after downplaying the threat Mark poses. ‘I’ll tell Saskia what’s going on,’ she offers, while inwardly grimacing about what that will require, forgiving Saskia for her thoughtless MyNeighbour post for one. ‘She sees everything on this street. And I won’t go out on my own.’

‘How can you be so cool about this?’ Simon asks, his voice incredulous. He has no idea how tough her life used to be. How she’s learned to cope with pervasive fear. She watches him pick up his phone, slide his thumb up the glass screen, stare blindly at the matrix of apps. His tick is so endearing; she thinks she might cry. She turns her back on him, blinks, hides her shaking hands as she reaches for the wine bottle, tops up her glass and takes a long swig. When she twists back, his phone is by his side and he’s looking at her again.

‘It’s only three days,’ she says. ‘And I promise I’ll keep myself safe.’ Then she takes another gulp and hopes it’s a promise she can keep.

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Mark