“Bugger.” She jumped up and placed the sketchpad on her desk atop a pile of papers she’d never quite got to, several files and a bunch of magazines. First thing in the morning it would have her full attention. Absolutely.

Without bothering to flick on the desk lamp, Megan dragged a brush through her hair, applied a dash of powder and a sweep of her favourite red lipstick—thank goodness that was back in her life—then locked up.

Outside it was still and quiet. The nearby shops and the estate agents were in darkness and the drizzle fluttered past the glow of the lamp.

Megan pulled her light jacket around herself and scanned the shadows. It was so silent. Different to the day when there was always someone coming and going along the narrow street. Now it was empty—the rain and the damp had pushed everyone inside.

She took several steps forward, her heels clicking on the cobbles. A shiver went up her spine and the light rain dusted over her cheeks.

A quiet bang to her right caught her attention. She stopped and turned. A deep door recess to her left was in pitch blackness. That was where the noise had come from.

She stared at it, hoping her eyes would adjust.

Her heart raced.

Another bang and movement. An arm perhaps, moving in the shadows?

Adrenaline flooded her veins. There was someone there, she was sure of it—lurking, hiding and definitely up to no good.

Her legs were twitchy with the need for fight or flight. She tightened her grip on her purse strap over her shoulder and took several quick steps backward, closing the distance between her and Frank’s Bar.

Safety.

“Who’s there?” she called.

Nothing. No reply.

Had she imagined it?

She turned and hurried into the bar. The warmth and the soft lighting embraced her, as did the familiar scent of cologne and beer.

She moved through the room, glanced at the door again and narrowly missed walking into a table.

Would she be followed? Was the thing that was lurking going to come in here? God, she hoped not. It had seriously freaked her out.

“You all right, Miss? Look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m fine.” Megan turned her attention to the bartender who’d spoken to her. He was regular staff, she’d seen him before. “Just glad to be in here, out of the dark and the rain.”

“Yeah, it’s horrible out there. Usual?”

“Yes, please, make it two large.”

He smiled. “Blimey, you are glad to be here.”

Megan grabbed her purse and managed a tight smile. “They’re not both for me. I’m meeting someone, a friend.”

He nodded and reached for two glasses.