Leticia was twenty-eight and had last done any serious athletics at half that age. Hurdling had been one of her worst disciplines at school though she was a decent enough runner. An hour a week on a treadmill or an exercise bike was all she managed these days.

But nothing steels the body for action like fearing for your life.

She scrambled her way over those gates in a couple of seconds, landing in a heap on the other side. The short drive led to a curved suburban residential street of tired-looking semi-detached homes, many of the front gardens paved over for parking. As she stood, she heard the rattle of wood, and behind her the looming form of Gary, attempting to reach over the gates for her.

She jumped away and sprinted down the short drive.

‘You promised me you wouldn’t try to escape,’ he called after her.

A car had just stopped ten yards away to the right, and she pelted towards it, sensing rescue.

She was wrong. Verity Winter emerged from the vehicle, sunglasses balanced on her head, car keys in hand, a big suitcase on the back seat. She hadn’t seen Leticia at first and froze.

Leticia ran straight at her former boss, targeting the keys. Verity hid her hand behind her even as Leticia grabbed. The two struggling women smashed into the side of her car, where the driver’s side door was still open. The creaking of wood and some male shouting signified that Gary had clambered over the gates and was now lumbering down towards them at the kerbside just thirty yards away.

Time to abandon the fight. Leticia shoved Verity, who fell backwards against the car, then began to run. She didn’t recognise the area at all. She sprinted around 200 yards to a suburban T-junction. She was looking for a rescuer, preferably a solidly built one. One old gentleman working his garden and an elderly lady pushing a shopping trolley didn’t quite fit the bill. However, a beefy middle-aged man in rugby shirt and jeans did. He was just getting into his Audi when Leticia basically threw herself onto the bonnet.

‘Please, please help me,’ Leticia pleaded. ‘Call 999.’

The man emerged from the car and saw the bulky figure of Gary Tilling lumbering up the road towards them.

‘He after you?’ the man asked as Leticia got to her feet.

‘Stop her,’ Gary bellowed, having stopped some distance away. ‘She’s a thief.’

The man looked from one to the other and then said. ‘Not many thieves would ask to ring 999. Get in the car, love. I won’t let him get at you. We can sort it all out when the Old Bill arrive.’

Chapter Thirty-three