Georgie looked down at her lap. She knew that Li was going to raise the matter of Martin with her again. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable talking to Li – her flatmate was too easy-going for that – but with Li there came a certain unpredictability; she had meant it when she remarked that something should be done. What did that mean? Whatever it was, Georgie was sure that what she regarded as doing something differed from what Li regarded as doing something. Li hadn’t been explicit but the elephant in the room was clear enough: Li could make things happen. Her mysterious pimp, Mrs White, was a very powerful lady and Li made her a lot of money. If Li wanted something done, it would be done.

Georgie shivered. A part of her wanted retribution. But that was different from revenge.

‘Sorry,’ said Georgie. ‘I’ve had a lot on with work. People keep dying in terrifying circumstances and I’ve had to do a lot of overtime.’

Li laughed again, assuming Georgie had made the comment in jest.

‘It’s fine,’ she said. ‘When you’re ready. I’ve got some ideas.’

I’ll bet. ‘Thanks, Li. I think I’ve managed to get over a lot of it, though.’

‘Right.’ Li nodded like she didn’t believe a word of it, bringing another flush of red to Georgie’s cheeks. ‘That’s why you still sleep with the light on.’

She was about to protest when she realised that Li was right. Don’t be afraid of the dark. But how could she not? In the dark, things happen. Bad things. Georgie pulled her coat closely around her shoulders and huddled up against the side of the car. She hated the dark. It was ridiculous. But then sometimes the dark can come alive and eat you.

*

The Norfolk Records Office was, as Li had predicted, a dimly lit library with a central area comprising four desks squashed together, from which back-to-back bookshelves stretched out in a pentagon shape interspersed with various smaller cabinets and units. The curator, who identified himself only as Vern, was an elderly chap with a hefty frame and red, blotchy skin. He seemed annoyed to have to plod through the otherwise empty hall with Georgie and Li to show them the records from 1989.

‘Here you are,’ he said in an unenthusiastic Norfolk accent. ‘For all the good it’ll do you. School project is it?’

Li cocked her head to one side and looked as if she was about to give him an earful so Georgie jumped in. ‘We’re students,’ she said pleasantly. ‘It’s just research.’

‘Aye. Keeps you off the streets, I suppose.’

With no further words of encouragement, Vern turned and hobbled off.

‘Well, how rude,’ Li remarked when he was still in earshot.