‘But you can’t be sure of that,’ Annie replied. ‘We both know the man’s a psycho, and he hates your guts. You’ve said yourself he’s probably killed more than a few people over the years, and I don’t want you to become one of his victims. But I’ve told you so many times that it’s not just about him. I don’t feel safe here any more. The streets are full of knife-wielding nutters. The traffic is unbearable, and so is the noise. I’m stressed out most of the time, which could be why I haven’t conceived. And if we do eventually get lucky, this is not where I want to raise a child.’

James let out a breath. He’d heard it all before, and the issue had put a strain on their relationship. Annie’s mother had died eighteen months ago, leaving her the four-bedroomed family home in Cumbria, and since then Annie had been trying to talk James into moving out of London.

Of course, he had given it serious consideration, even to the point of discussing with her the possibility of joining the Cumbrian force and basing himself in Kendal, which was only about twenty-five miles from the cottage in the village of Kirkby Abbey. But James enjoyed working for the Met and, at thirty-nine, was still climbing the career ladder. It didn’t help that his extended family – with whom he was close – all lived in North London.

Annie didn’t have any strong ties to the capital. Both her parents were dead and she had no siblings, her only relative an uncle who lived in Penrith. And as a supply teacher she could work anywhere – including the small primary school in Kirkby Abbey.

As the evening wore on, James tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, but Annie was having none of it. She continued to express her fears as they got through another bottle of wine and a couple of ready meals heated up in the microwave.

It was 10 p.m. when she finally decided to call it a day. Tired and frustrated, she stood and announced that she was going to bed.

James hauled himself to his feet and started to help her clear the coffee table. But they didn’t get to finish the job because at that moment a large object came crashing through the living room window.

Annie screamed as they were both showered with shards of glass.

The object – a brick – smashed into the side of the TV before landing with a thud on the carpet.

James instinctively stepped between Annie and the broken window as they both stared out into their small front garden.

‘Who’s out there?’ Annie yelled. ‘Can you see anyone?’

‘It’s too dark,’ James shouted back. ‘Stay here while I go and check.’

Fear spiralled through Annie as James rushed out of the room. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the brick on the floor and she noticed that there was a sheet of paper attached to it by elastic bands. Her hands shook violently as she reached down to pick it up and read the note.