Leticia caught herself, making excuses for a woman who might well kill her. Even now, she didn’t want to believe the worst of anybody. Anton had said he liked this quality in her, but right now it looked like it was going to cost her her life.

Verity would have her phone. It was locked, so at least she wouldn’t be able to tamper with her messages. The police would be able to trace it, but only if someone reported her missing quickly. She had no resources and she knew it. She was entirely at the mercy of her captors. She wanted to cry, and she could feel the tears welling up. But she couldn’t afford to feel sorry for herself. She had to think, to put her brain to use. Right now, there was no one to rely on but herself. And that meant she had to keep it together.

At the same time a few miles away, Anton was hard at work in the restaurant kitchen trying to coordinate hors d’oeuvres for a late booking of a table for ten when Saskia, from front of house, came to the kitchen hatchway.

‘Anton, is Leroy around?’

‘No. I’ve not seen him tonight.’

‘There’s a woman asking for him. He said he would be here, apparently.’ Saskia gestured to a tall pale woman with hair the colour of weak tea. She was wearing a raincoat with the collar up, as if she was cold, despite the warm evening.

‘I can pass on a message. Who is she?’

‘She said her name was Verity.’

Anton was suddenly totally focused. He wiped his hands on a tea towel and emerged from the kitchen. He’d never met Leticia’s boss but she matched the description, with that prim moue of superiority. He’d had no idea she knew Leroy, though he could guess why.

‘Hi. I’m the owner, can I help?’ The image of her vomiting into her leaving gift, so graphically described by Leticia, fired a smile that threatened to turn into a chuckle. He quelled it by thinking of the other story Leticia had told him, about the spectacle frame. Anton had in his early life known quite a few people capable of killing. This pallid stick insect was not one of them. Surely the only thing she could justifiably murder would be a steak and kidney pudding.

‘I was looking for Leroy. He said he would be here.’ Her big green eyes roamed the restaurant as if her contact was somehow hiding there.

‘I can text him for you,’ Anton said.

‘It’s okay, I’ve already done so.’ She looked behind her, and to either side, still apparently not believing what Anton was saying to her.

‘I’m Anton,’ he said. ‘I think you know my girlfriend, Leticia. Nice to meet you.’