When they reached the office door, she tried it, hoping that it might be unlocked but it wasn’t. Jason had disappeared around the corner of the building. She tried the handle again, just in case, and then followed him. Here, the shadows of the farm buildings loomed with gothic intensity as a lone security light created hollows and dark pools and the slash of rain was almost silver. Wiping the water from her face and pushing aside her wet fringe, she blinked at Jason who had turned on the torch on his phone. She saw his teeth, white and grinning like dayglo dentures.

‘Here you go.’ He pointed to the window, and the open bottom sash. ‘No point making life hard for yourself. Always check the windows first.’

‘I’ll remember that next time,’ said Hannah, her heart pounding a little at the enormity of what she was about to do. Although she wasn’t stealing anything, breaking in somewhere was still nerve-racking. Crossing her fingers inside her pockets, she prayed that they wouldn’t get caught.

Jason had no such qualms and had already slipped inside. Glancing around quickly, guilt wrapping itself round her like a boa constrictor, she took a deep breath and clambered awkwardly over the sill.

‘What you after?’ asked Jason, suppressed excitement in his voice. Up to this point he’d been remarkably uncurious.

‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’

‘Always was a bit of a thrill. Not so much if you get caught, mind.’

‘If anyone comes, you get out. In fact, stand by the window just in case.’ She didn’t like to point out that someone was just as likely to come in through the door.

‘Don’t be daft. They’re all out having a good time. They won’t be back for ages.’

Hannah wasn’t so sure. Didn’t Niamh have school in the morning? God, her hands were shaking.

She switched on her own phone’s torch function and cast its dim light over the walls at the shadowy pictures.

‘You after a painting?’ asked Jason.

‘Not to steal it,’ she snapped.

‘All right, keep your knickers on.’

‘Sorry. I’m a bit edgy.’

‘Stands to reason. Smart bird like you. The first time’s always the worst.’

‘There isn’t going to be a next time. I’m looking for a map. I want to check something.’

Jason shone the beam from his phone on the opposite wall.

‘Like that one?’ he asked with a cocky drawl.

‘Yes,’ said Hannah. ‘Brilliant, that’s it.’ She crossed to the wall, shining the light on the old map. ‘Hell. I can’t see properly.’

It was much larger than she’d expected and a little too high on the wall for her to get a clear view. ‘Damn.’ She glanced over at Jason.

‘I’m going to have to take it down. Would you mind helping?’

‘Sure. You got gloves?