Gillard’s retired neighbours had kindly looked after Trish’s three cats during the many months she was in a coma. They were a pleasant couple devoted to their gardening, and had always been a good but not intrusive set of eyes and ears for the neighbourhood.

‘Is it about Lucretia’s disappearance?’ Gillard asked.

‘And about how much weight Napoleon has put on,’ Sam said. Napoleon was the neutered ginger tom which ruled the roost, and used all the gardens in the neighbourhood as a lavatory. ‘Rosemary came round here in tears at the things that Trish had said to her.’

‘She’s got a nerve,’ Gillard said. Harry and Rosemary had looked after the cats at their own expense, refusing offers of contributions. They had been mortified when Lucretia disappeared and posted notices all round the neighbourhood, even travelling up to the rescue centre on a couple of occasions. After changing and having a shower Gillard went round to visit his neighbours, who remained shocked and upset at Trish’s accusations. After offering many apologies for the behaviour of his aunt, he was floored by Rosemary’s final comment: ‘Trish said that Sam reported to her that we had neglected Lucretia.’

‘That is simply not true,’ Gillard said. ‘We both know that you looked after the cats extremely well. I must apologise for my aunt. She’s had a difficult life, and doesn’t have the sweetest temperament.’

‘She’s a murderer,’ Harry said. ‘I looked up the case online.’

‘She was cleared,’ Gillard corrected.

‘Hung jury,’ Harry said. ‘After some of the things she said we’re thinking of moving house.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear that.’

‘We just don’t feel comfortable here anymore.’

Gillard shook his head. ‘All I can do is apologise. Neither Sam nor I would want you to have been upset in this way.’

It was gone ten by the time Gillard sat down at home to some toasted cheese on crusty bread in front of the TV. Sam was upset to hear the tales that Trish had been making up about her, and once again raised the possibility of them too moving house to get away from her.

‘Do you really think we should run away like Harry and Rosemary?’ Gillard asked.

‘I don’t know, Craig. But she’s only been back from hospital a few days and is already such a malign influence.’

He didn’t have an answer for her, and after taking his dish back into the kitchen, checked the message that had just come up on his mobile. Thames Valley Police had a witness sighting of the camper van in Oxfordshire and a description that matched Crystal herself. But no sign of Ozzy.

Chapter Fifteen