After I filled up with petrol I got back into my car, feeling brave and determined, and drove through the familiar streets, feeling free for the first time in years. Since university, in fact. Since the day before my twenty-third birthday, when I first met Tom in a bar. I’d immediately fallen in love with him. I’d learned to blame myself at my mother’s knee; Tom had merely taken over the baton. It had taken years before I realized what he was really like. I knew that journey of discovery wasn’t going to end just because he was dead.

This time I parked on the driveway. Tom’s car was still there, so I had to park behind it, but still. I can’t begin to tell you how significant that was. The last time I’d parked up there had been the day I’d left Tom, but before then . . . well, I couldn’t remember a day when I’d been allowed to do it.

When I got out of the car, it was as though a weight had lifted from me. I felt lighter. Hopeful. The sun was shining brightly and I lifted my face to the rays. It was the beginning of August and the day was hot and sunny. It was a perfect summer’s day. Perfect in all sorts of ways. I thought I might sit outside for an hour or two with a gin and tonic and a book, and enjoy my garden again. Count my blessings.

I opened the door and let myself in. I leaned back against the front door and looked at my home. My home. I looked at the top of the stairs, where we’d had that fight, and then at the black-and-white tiles where traces of his blood still lay. I turned away and saw the mirror where I’d seen Emma’s face, then hastily looked away from that, too. The coat stand held only Tom’s coats. I took off my jacket and slung it on a hook, then stopped.

Something in the air was different. When I breathed in I sensed the change. I could feel it on my skin, too. I rubbed my arms vigorously, but my skin prickled again immediately. I held my breath and stayed very still. I could see nothing wrong. I could hear nothing at all except the drumming of my own heart.

But I knew. I just knew.

Someone was here.

CHAPTER 76

Ruby

Slowly I took my phone out of my bag and gripped it tightly. I picked up my car keys, too, so that I could get away if I needed to.