I shrink back. ‘You did it,’ I say. ‘You poisoned him. At breakfast, or … when we were in the music studio.’

‘You really are sounding crazy, love, saying things like that,’ says Michael.

‘You were carrying guns. I saw you.’

‘Now you’re sounding really crazy.’

‘Just let me out.’

‘Listen, Lorna will be here soon. You’ll stay here until then, won’t you?’

‘I need to get my dog to a vet.’

‘God, Liberty, I mean, all the vets’ offices will be closed by now, won’t they? And is he really all that bad?’

‘Of course he’s that bad. He’s barely moving. There are out-of-hours services. For emergencies.’

‘Well, listen, I can’t take you anywhere now, not with Lorna on her way. I hope she hurries along. When she gets here, we might be able to do something for your doggy. Okay, love?’

‘We need to go now.’

‘We can’t, love. Sorry.’

‘Is this what you did to Annalise and that other girl? Lock them in?’

‘What other girl?’

‘The German girl. The one who went missing after your show.’

Michael’s head flicks towards me. ‘You’ve been reading too many newspapers. They’re full of lies. Don’t believe a word of them. A girl went missing. What’s that got to do with me?’

‘Two girls going missing? Don’t you think that’s a big coincidence, considering you’re clearly a psychopath? What – did they both starve to death up here?’ I start to cry.

Michael pushes his sunglasses into his shaggy white-blond hair. I see cold, hard, dark eyes within a puffy, tanned face.

‘Liberty. I’ve just brought you a meal. You’re hardly likely to starve to death. This is all sounding very dramatic. And no one’s locking you in. The door handle gets stiff, that’s all.’

‘Skywalker could die.’ I start crying. ‘He’s just an innocent animal. What did you give him?’

‘How do you know he’s been poisoned, love?’

‘It’s happened before. He ate chocolate. He had to have his stomach pumped. He nearly didn’t make it.’

‘Maybe he ate something out in the woods,’ says Michael. ‘Animals can be dumb, can’t they?’

I stand, and Michael places himself between me and the door.

‘Remember your doggy now,’ he says. ‘You can’t leave without him, can you?’ Michael scratches at his black and white stubble. ‘And even if you did, I don’t think you’d get too far. I’d have to come after you. I’ve got a few all-terrain bikes out there; I’d catch you in no time.’

‘Why are you trying to hurt me like this?’

‘I’m not trying to hurt you, Liberty. I think you’re being a little full of yourself. It’s Lorna who’s going to get hurt.’

‘Why?’