Ignoring him, Courtney walked to the window and looked outside, fiddling with her bracelet as she did. They weren’t meant to have brought jewellery with them on the trip, but it had been a birthday present from Bradley and she wasn’t going to leave it behind. I think someone’s out there.

Bradley joined her, peering into the blackness. There’s nobody. You’re imagining it.

There is! What if someone followed us?

Nobody followed us. It’s fine.

She shook her head. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. What if we get into trouble?

Bradley put his arm around her and kissed her temple. Come on, it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve done this. What’s wrong?

I just feel strange, she replied. Like someone’s watching us. I don’t like it.

Kissing her again, Bradley reached up and stroked her hair. It’s okay, I’ll protect you. You know I won’t ever let anything happen to you.

I know, she replied, letting her body sink into his. I just … I can’t explain it.

Taking her hand, Bradley led her over to where he’d laid down the blanket. Let’s sit here for a while, okay? We don’t have to do anything.

She nodded, looking back at the window. The shadow of a tree moved in the wind, setting her heart racing, but she tried to ignore it. She was sure Bradley was right. There was nobody there.

Hey, Bradley. She nudged him and pointed towards the window again. It’s snowing.

Chapter 28

Sunday 2nd December

I hadn’t had much sleep when the door buzzer went off the next morning. My mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that Mike was back, but when I answered the intercom it was Singh. He smiled at me but there was a worried cast to his expression too.

Letting him in, I shook my head. ‘I’m so sorry. Mike was drunk when he turned up last night and Anna thought we’d need help getting rid of him. He went away on his own in the end.’

He squeezed my shoulder, and I thought he was holding himself back from hugging me, trying to stay professional. ‘Don’t apologise for someone else’s behaviour. He was the one who was in the wrong. And I wanted to come, because I think it’s about time you told me the truth about you and Mike.’

He gave me a probing look and I nodded, knowing he was right.

‘That’s why I asked you to come round this morning. You deserve to know.’