‘Best left to heal in the open air, but be sure to keep it clean.’ He made some rapid notes. ‘You don’t need to go for any check-ups at the hospital, because if you had concussion, it’d have shown by now. But the police are right: I can now become your expert witness, if I’m needed. Your attacker must have been rough with you, from the bruising.’

‘That’s why I divorced him.’

‘One of those, eh?’

As they walked outside, she yawned and stretched her arms above her head. ‘Well then, home, James, and don’t spare the horses.’

He smiled. ‘Yes, milady.’

‘I think it’ll be quickest to go up the street before Peppercorn. It’ll get us to the rear entrance near Saffron Lane. If Angus is still around, we’d better let him know I’m OK.’

‘Fine by me.’

‘And Adam, I’m very grateful for your help tonight. If you hadn’t—’ She stopped and shuddered.

‘I was glad to be there for you. Come on, let’s get you into my car.’

An hour or so before dawn, three youths wearing hoodies climbed over the wall of the parking area where the council vehicles were kept, laughing at the useless barbed wire on top of the surrounding wall as they covered it with an old quilt and got inside without a problem. All were wearing black and they took care not to expose their faces to the two old-fashioned CCTV cameras as they checked out the vehicles.

‘I wonder why that guy suddenly wanted us to wait till this time to do the job?’ Sevvy asked.

Raff led the way across to the trucks. ‘How the hell should I know? Maybe he knew something we didn’t. As long as he’s paying so well, he can give me orders.’

‘Something must have happened to make him change the time of our job, though, and he should have told us what it was. For all we know, the police may still be hanging around the town centre. We’re both over 18 now and—’

‘Aw, shut your face and let’s get on with it. You want to attract the attention of the fuzz once we get out of here, remember. Drive your truck past a few CCTV cameras, the ones people bother to watch.’ They sniggered because they both knew which ones were imitation cameras. ‘Ditch the truck as soon as you’re sure you’ve got them following you. Don’t stay in it for too long.’

‘Yeah, yeah. You’ve told me that three times already, Raff, and I know exactly where I can run it into a garden without a wall and get away quick-smart down the side of the house. Now let’s get these trucks started.’

By then the third youth had undone the locks on the big gates. He pushed them open before running across to cover the CCTV cameras and then join the others. ‘There you are.’

‘Yeah, yeah. I’ve got eyes.’

‘Where’s my money, then?’

Raff passed him two banknotes and he kissed them before running off.