‘I know he does. But he deserves better.’ Archer feels a build-up of tension and rolls her shoulders to try and ease it.

‘You look like you could do with a glass of wine yourself,’ says Jamie.

‘I will if you will.’

Jamie pours them a glass each and smiles, his gaze lingering on her face. Archer feels a warmth spread throughout her body. She takes both glasses from him and sets them on the table. She moves closer, losing herself in the pepper-and-citrus tones and the pleasant red-wine tang of his warm breath. She kisses him gently and he wraps his strong arms around her. His lips are soft and relentless, as if he is hungry. She unbuttons his shirt, fingers clambering for skin and feels him hardening as she presses against him. Jamie’s hands slide under her sweater and she feels her skin tingle to his touch.

Archer hears a creaking noise on the stairs. She stiffens and meets Jamie’s gaze. His expression is a mix of disappointment and amusement. She hears footsteps descending the stairs and pulls away from him, fixing herself as he buttons his shirt.

The living-room door opens and Grandad appears, dressed in his pyjamas. Archer feels an ache in her chest. He seems so pale, small and frail. His watery eyes fix on her. ‘I thought I heard something,’ he says.

‘Hi, Grandad. I just got home.’

He stares blankly at her and doesn’t seem to be aware that Jamie is with her.

‘Grandad, are you OK?’

He trembles. ‘I had a terrible dream.’

‘Come and sit down.’

Archer crouches beside him and holds his cold papery hand. He squeezes hers.

‘I dreamt about him.’

‘About Dad?’

He shakes his head, his eyebrows knit together and he seems suddenly so much older. ‘No . . . him . . . that monster.’

Archer feel’s Jamie’s gaze and swallows. ‘He’s gone now, Grandad.’

‘I dreamt he came back, Grace. He came for you again. I could feel him, his anger, his rottenness. I chased him . . . I wanted to kill him . . . crush him like a cockroach, but he just kept tricking me.’ Tears stream from his eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, Grace. I couldn’t protect you then and I can’t protect you now.’

‘Hey, it was only a dream,’ she says in soothing tones.

She can see Jamie move slowly across the room. ‘I should go,’ he mouths.

Archer nods and Jamie makes a phone sign with his hand. She nods and smiles as he lets himself out.

It isn’t long before Grandad begins to fade. Archer helps him to his room and into bed. Closing the door quietly she goes back to the living room and calls Quinn.

‘Klara found more footage of Armitage manhandling Elaine Kelly near Infernos,’ he tells her. ‘Looked like they were having some sort of row.’

‘What do you mean “manhandling” her?’