‘More of the same,’ Alice said. ‘Wynne thinks the letters are unusual.’

‘She’s not wrong.’

‘Unusual even for a serial killer,’ Alice said.

‘Why so?’

‘Because they’re focused on me and not on the killer. She finds that strange.’

Tom drilled another set of holes. ‘The whole fucking thing is strange.’

‘That’s what I said. She also thinks the killer’s not interested in hurting me – or us.’

He gestured at the bolts. ‘So all this is a waste of time?’

‘No. Not if it makes you – us – feel better.’

‘Did you ask about more protection from the police.’

‘We talked about it. They’ll make sure there are officers in the vicinity, and they know to get her immediately.’

‘Is that enough?’ Tom said. He stepped off the chair. ‘Couldn’t we have someone here?’

‘I don’t think we need it.’

‘I do.’

He studied his wife. He’d known she was stubborn, but this was different. He was beginning to wonder whether she was the person he thought she was.

Perhaps, he thought, she was beginning to wonder the same.

‘Tom,’ she said. ‘We’ll be OK.’

Ambleside, July 2013

Alice

It was time to pack up and return to normal life.

Specifically, to Ned, and the inevitable fallout from what had happened. He would not give up on her easily, but he was going to have to.

Before that, though, she had to actually pack her rucksack, which was proving a lot more difficult than it should have. It was already full, but next to it were a pair of jeans, two T-shirts and a pair of sandals, all of which had fitted inside when she had packed to come here.

She had not bought anything else, so how did they not fit?

Brenda sat on the bunk bed and grinned.

‘That always happens,’ she said. ‘Things expand.’

‘Not to you,’ Alice said. Her rucksack was packed; there was even a space at the top for the small day pack she used.

‘Yeah, but I’ve got more experience than you, mate,’ Brenda said. ‘I’ll let you in on the secret.’ She reached into her pack and pulled out a shirt. ‘Roll, don’t fold. Then you can stuff them in. You also don’t get creases. Try it.’

Alice studied her rucksack. She didn’t want to unpack it and start again, but it seemed she had no choice. She needed everything in as they were going to have to carry their rucksacks on their walk. They had to check out of the hostel, and then go straight to the train.

‘I’ll give it a go,’ she said.

‘I’ll grab some breakfast and bring it back,’ Brenda said. ‘We have to get moving if we’re going to catch the bus we need.’