She slipped on a pair of Converse, intending to take the Tube to the office this morning to save time. No doubt Charlie was already there with Simeon’s phone and she was desperate to know what was on it. Georgie took a moment to check what the weather was like through the window. She could see over the Victorian terraces in the next street and to the river beyond. The sunlight was dancing off the grey water until it was disturbed by a rowing team, hauling their way through the early morning air. Her eye line was drawn back to the foreground, to the road running past her flat and the cars parked illegally along it – still, they had no choice because it was either that or park . . .

Georgie wavered – stared out of the window, to the street below. A feeling of panic seized her. Could it really be . . . ? She moved to get a better look, and there it was. Below her. A figure in a hooded coat – looking up at her window. She couldn’t see the figure’s face in the poor light but it was familiar. She knew that was . . . could it be?

Martin.

She had an urge to retreat further into the bedroom, climb under the desk, hide; but she couldn’t move. He stood on the pavement on the other side of the road, hands thrust in his pockets, just looking up at her window. How long had he been there? Was he waiting for her to look out?

How did he even know where she lived?

She tore herself away from the window, staggered back and fell onto her bed. As she lay there staring at the ceiling, the memory of his hand on her throat as he had pushed her into this very position and prised her legs apart with his knee came flooding back.

It isn’t fair!

In a rage, Georgie jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. She leapt down the stairs, towards the front door, her hands balled into fists and her heart pounding. How dare he come here! She hit the exit button, heard a click and thrust the door open, spilling out into the fresh air, feeling the biting cold on her face. She ran around the corner of the building to the stretch of road outside her window where she knew he would be standing, looking up, goading her.

Except when she rounded the corner, all she saw were parked cars and street lights. She whirled around. A woman coming towards her walking a dog eyed her suspiciously, the dog barked. A lorry was reversing into a driveway.