Get a hold of yourself, Eve. I knew I’d have a wobble in the days before, but I didn’t anticipate wanting to turn and run. Could I go through with it? The plan I’d researched and thought about. Spent hours trying to consider every minor detail. The one that in my head was so clear, but the thought of making it a reality terrified me.

My stomach churned with nervous energy and my bladder announced the need to be emptied. I had to get home. The trouble was, I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was going on. Not Susie, not Ben, and Jane was leaving the country in less than a week. I wanted it to be over, to be rid of the months consumed by nothing but thoughts of Ian. I longed to be free of him and there was only one way I could do that, but first I was willing to give the police one last try.

When I got home, I shut myself away in my room and dug out the business card given to me months ago, wedged into my bookcase.

‘Emmerson,’ stated a weary voice after a few rings.

‘Hi Detective Emmerson. It’s Eve, Eve Harding.’

‘Hi Eve, how can I help you?’

‘I just wondered if you had any updates at all.’

I heard her sigh faintly.

‘No, I’m afraid not. I’ve got nothing to report. It’s still an ongoing investigation and we are looking at other assaults of the same nature in the vicinity.’

‘The attack on Sophie Whitaker. Do you think it’s connected?’

‘Did you go and visit Miss Whitaker in hospital?’ Emmerson cut me off.

I remained silent. My attendance had obviously been reported by Mrs Whitaker.

‘Please don’t get involved, Eve, leave it to the police.’

‘But do you think it’s connected?’

‘There was no sexual assault, so, no, I don’t think it’s connected.’

Shows what she knew. Emmerson wasn’t aware that a frustrated Ian left my house minutes before Sophie was beaten to within an inch of her life. She didn’t know that her assailant spoke the same words to her that he had to me. Was I going to tell her? Make her believe that I knew who the predator was? It was the last chance before I took matters into my own hands.

The silence between us stretched out and I heard Emmerson sigh. Perhaps annoyed I wasn’t on the same wavelength? Or that I wouldn’t roll over and agree? It was on the tip of my tongue. Just say it. The person you are looking for is Ian Shaw. But before I could get the words out the silence was broken.