I send Shandy a quick message to ask her how exactly she got those marketing numbers and where the name ‘dreamhacker’ came from. By now the pile of messages is jostling for my attention. Lots from clients, nothing from O, but one from Meera and three in quick succession from Muz, of all people.

Meera’s says simply: Come to my lab asap. We need to talk in person.

She’s as bad as O. She hasn’t mentioned anything about Bernard’s death, but she must know by now. Everyone must know. Well, her message was left several hours ago and there’s no way she’s going to be in her lab in the middle of the night.

I pick up Muz’s messages.

6.10 p.m. At Princess Grace Hospital. Got dizzy, had a fall. Come over when you get this.

I’m confused. Why is he telling me he’s in hospital? Is he trying to reach O? I wonder if she’s switched off her connections again . . .

I get out of bed and open my door. I’ll have to wake her up. Then:

8.32 p.m. No head injury, probably low blood pressure. OK but bruised and weak. Keeping her in for observation. Can you bring toothbrush, nightclothes, etc.?

He’s talking about O! I knock on her door, then push it open. The bed is made. No sign of O or her wheelchair.

8.34 p.m. Never mind, Jez is on it. Call me when you get this.

I Spacetime him but he’s offline, so I leave an apologetic message and then Spacetime Jez, who is wide awake.

‘Oh, hi, yeah, she’s OK. Well, not OK but not at death’s door. Apparently she’s anaemic and has low blood pressure, and when she tried to get up she fainted. She’s a little bruised but not complaining.’

This is bad. This is very bad.

‘Are you sure she fainted? She wasn’t . . . erm . . .’ I’m trying to think of a way to ask whether O could have been sleepwalking without bringing Jez in on all the developments. ‘Did anyone else see it happen, or is this just her memory of what happened?’

‘No, Lorraine was there. She said O was having a kip in her recliner and for some reason took it in her head to try to stand and walk across the room, which of course was a bad idea. Lorraine couldn’t catch her in time, apparently.’

‘Oh no.’ It’s everything I’ve been afraid of. And now, looking back on the wrist injury O just had, I wonder if I got the full story on that or not. It feels too coincidental.