Hi Tom. I see you’re on the early shift. Me too! What a sweet idea! I’d love to help. I’ll have to have a dig around though, so give me a while. I’ll let Mads know. I talk to her from time to time. And tell Alice to get in touch! It’s been too long. In fact, I’m going to send her a message. But I’ll wait until after her birthday so I don’t ruin the surprise! Nellie xxx

Excellent. Alice would love to see the photos. He was interested too. Her past was a bit of mystery to him, so finding out some more about it would be welcome.

Joanna started to cry again. He smiled at her. She had her hungry face on.

Time to eat.

Alice

Tom was feeding Jo at the table. He got a lot of pleasure from feeding her, moving the spoon like an aeroplane and landing it in her mouth.

Or near her mouth. Whenever he fed her half the food ended up on her face, with the other half on the table. It was cute, in a way, but it was also irritating. It didn’t need to be so messy or such a production. For her part, Alice found it a bit tedious – just another task to get done – and thought Tom’s approach a touch infantile.

‘Morning,’ she said. They had not spoken much the night before and she was expecting an awkward tension between them. Instead, he smiled warmly.

‘Morning. Sleep well?’

‘As well as ever.’

‘Let me feed Jo and I’ll make you some breakfast.’

She sat on the chair next to him. ‘You’re in a good mood.’

‘I had a chat to my dad yesterday. About you keeping on with the Crucifix Killer stories.’

‘What did he say?’

Tom spooned the last of the baby food into Joanna’s mouth, then started to wipe up the mess. ‘He said it’s a great opportunity for you – too good to turn down – and I should get behind you.’

‘Really?’ Alice said. ‘I’ve always liked your dad.’

‘He suggested finding a way to make it work for both of us. Maybe adding some extra locks to the doors and windows, and make sure the police are close at hand in case anything happens.’

‘So are you saying you’re OK with it?’

Tom nodded. ‘That’s what I’m saying. We’ll find a way to make it work. After breakfast I’ll go and buy some bolts.’

‘The detective, Wynne, is coming over to talk about the letter. She’s coming with Nadia.’

‘Do they need me here?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Alice said. ‘We should be OK.’

‘Then I’ll let you handle it.’ He stood up and took Jo’s bowl to the sink. ‘Maybe you can ask them for some extra protection. An officer nearby, that kind of thing.’