‘Judge me? Why would you say that? Do I look like a criminal to you?’

They were still standing on the tiny pathway leading through the overgrown semi-jungle, while shadows lengthened. It had to be after five, Thea realised, feeling hungry. She was not inclined to answer the irritable question thrown at her. No human beings were anywhere in sight. ‘Do you know anyone at that business park?’ she asked, following one of many possible threads.

‘Will we have to go past it to get to your house?’ This 41was another oblique answer, but Thea assumed it meant, Yes and I don’t want to meet them.

‘Let me have a look.’ She unfolded the unwieldy map, and found an alternative route. ‘It’s a bit further,’ she warned. ‘And it involves walking through all this overgrown prickly stuff and then along a road. It’s very quiet, though. Is somebody looking for you?’

‘Possibly. I was hiding here all afternoon. They might have given up by now.’

‘Who are “they”?’

‘I’ll explain – perhaps. It’s not a very nice story.’ Her lips were then pressed tightly together, giving Thea to understand that no further information was to be forthcoming just then.

‘Come on, then. I’m hungry, although there’s not much food in the house. I’m more or less camping there.’

‘How strange.’

‘Not really.’

‘I won’t stay long. If you could find something to put on my shoulder, that would be really helpful.’

‘Is it hurting horribly? Have you been like that for long? Let’s hope it’s not dislocated, then – you’re supposed to get it dealt with as quickly as possible. The ligaments get tighter or something, and it’s a lot more difficult to put it back, if you leave it.’ She wasn’t altogether certain of her medical facts, but it sounded right. ‘I don’t think I have got anything for it, though. Possibly an Ibuprofen in my bag.’

‘You’re probably right that it’s less serious than I thought. Just a pulled muscle.’ She rubbed it gently. ‘I must admit 42I’m quite hungry and thirsty, as well. It’s been a hot day.’

They began to push their way along the path, in single file, Thea leading. They were going in a westerly direction, destined to meet the small road that formed the western edge of the village. It was all perfectly plain on the map, including something labelled a ‘field system’ on their left. ‘What’s a field system?’ Thea wondered aloud, thinking Grace might be ready to be distracted. But no answer was forthcoming, and when she glanced back at her companion, she could see that walking was proving uncomfortable. Her hand was once again gripping the damaged shoulder, as if to hold the joint in place.

‘Actually, I know this,’ Thea went on, aware that she was prattling to no good effect. ‘It means you can see furrows or lines where walls have been, if you know where to look. There are all sorts of Neolithic and Roman remains around here. I’ve always been keen on history, but I prefer something a bit more recent. Canals and old barns, for a start. And really old houses.’ She knew the woman wasn’t listening, but she kept on talking in a forlorn hope that the walk might seem shorter if they were engaged in conversation. Grace did not seem to share this optimism. She walked with a plodding determination that Thea found painful.