‘Where’d you hear that?’ says Dee. ‘Some 1950s parenting manual? Liberty’s not a child. She’s a sixteen-year-old whose mother is stalking her Facebook profile and harassing her friends. She’s been locked behind these high gates most of her life and it still happened. The thing you were most afraid of. Maybe it’s not about keeping Liberty safe from her father. Maybe it’s about empowering her to look after herself.’

‘Liberty’s been away all night and now most of the day. The police will do nothing.’

‘What can they do?’ says Dee. ‘No crime has been committed.’

‘Are you seriously saying that to me?’ I demand. ‘You were there. You know what he did.’

‘I wasn’t there, Lorna,’ says Dee. ‘I know Michael was controlling and you were too vulnerable to stand up to him. That’s the only thing I know for sure.’

‘You don’t believe me about Annalise?’ I say. ‘Is that what you’re telling me?’

‘I believe … something really bad happened that night. And seeing Michael, yes, I know he has a temper. For sure.’

‘Okay.’ Nick takes a step back. ‘This is all sounding way too paranoid. Does anyone want a cup of tea? Or an omelette?’

‘No, Nick, no one wants an omelette. Michael sent me this book. You think he did that for no reason? He’s telling me to come back. To sacrifice myself for Liberty.’

‘You get that from a couple of highlights?’ says Dee. ‘Highlights you might have made yourself? What if you’re wrong? You’ll be committing a criminal offence, going back there.’

‘Dee’s right,’ says Nick. ‘If you go back to his house and start trying to climb over the gate or something, the police will arrest you. And then what? You’ll be stuck in a cell, maybe overnight. What use will you be to Liberty then? Sit tight. You have to wait. Maybe I should go there, Lorna. I’m sure if Michael understands how upset you are—’

‘That’s very sweet of you, Nick, but forget it,’ I say. ‘Michael will play you like a fiddle. You won’t stand a chance. You’d just come back telling me what a great guy he is.’

‘I’d never do that. I like my balls where they are.’

Dee snorts with amusement and I glare at both of them.

‘I’m going back there,’ I say. ‘Neither of you are getting it. The police won’t be there this time. Michael’s as good as told me to come back. I lived with him for a long time. I know how he works. If I don’t do what he wants …’ I close my eyes and take deep breaths. ‘Oh God, I hope Liberty is okay. Please let her be okay.’