The flat was empty when I arrived, Ben had already left for work. I tried to call Jane, but her phone was switched off; she must be on the ward. I left a message asking her to call me back. I wanted to hear a friendly voice. The flat felt like it was shrouded in a blanket of silence. The air was thick with it and even the television didn’t fill the void. I stared at the screen, not absorbing the cookery programme I’d put on. It was something to fill the time before bed. I’d missed lunch at work so indulged in a big bowl of pasta, leaving some leftovers for Ben when he got in. It was nice to return the favour.

My phone rang, and I scooped it up, hoping it was Jane. Unknown number flashed on the caller display. Normally I wouldn’t answer, but if someone wanted to waste their time trying to sell me double glazing, it was fine by me.

‘Hello?’

‘Hi, is that Eve?’

I replied it was and Detective Emmerson announced herself.

‘I’m in the area. Are you home? Do you mind if I pop in and give you an update?’ I agreed, eager for news and company.

Fifteen minutes later she arrived, and I set about making tea. We clutched our mugs and I sensed from her downcast expression, her day had not been a good one.

‘I wish I came with better news, but I’m afraid we’ve hit a stumbling block.’

I frowned. How was that possible? I remained silent, willing her to continue.

‘Your clothes came back negative for any DNA. I’ll return them to you when the lab sends them back.’

I shook my head. ‘Please get rid of them. I don’t want them back.’

Emmerson nodded. ‘Of course. We’ve managed to locate some footage from a resident’s CCTV. The image is grainy, and we cannot identify him from it, but I’d like you to view it at the station when we run through some suspect photos, just to confirm it’s the same man.’

‘I’m sorry I washed him off me,’ I said, my voice cracking and tears erupting from my eyes.

‘It’s okay, Eve. I completely understand the compulsion to get clean after what you went through.’

I hung my head, shame eating me up from the inside out. Emmerson squeezed my hand for a second, but she looked defeated, her expression grave. How could I have been so stupid? I gave away their only chance to find him.

‘Has anyone come forward from the incident boards? I saw one at the entrance to the park.’

‘No, I’m afraid not; no information that has given us any leads.’

‘So, we have nothing?’ It sounded more like a dead end than a stumbling block.

‘We have the tape, but it doesn’t help to identify him currently.’