Jan closed the window and began dressing. She had met Christopher – or Chris, as he liked to be known – a few times since she’d moved in. A friend of Camile’s, he called on her from time to time, ostensibly to check she had everything she needed. Jan suspected there was also an element of making sure she was looking after the cottage and Tinder, which she didn’t have a problem with. After all, Camile had entrusted her home and dog to a complete stranger.

Running a brush through her hair, Jan checked her face in the mirror. It would have to do. She liked Chris, but suspected he was more than just friends with Camile. Although he’d never said as much, she’d noticed a warmth creep into his voice whenever he spoke of her. But Jan liked his company and was grateful for it, especially now after the worries of the last few nights.

She went down the narrow cottage stairs, thinking she might ask him about the animals that inhabited the woods. He had lived in the village most of his life so knew the area well. He was an electrician by trade.

‘Come in,’ she said, smiling, as she opened the front door. The sunlight flooded into the small hall. ‘It is a nice day. Are you not working?’

‘It’s Saturday,’ he reminded her.

‘Oh yes.’ She laughed. ‘I’m losing track of the days here.’

‘Camile says the same when she’s home for more than a week,’ he said, following her to the living room. ‘She usually goes into the village each day to buy a paper or something as part of her routine.’

‘I get news alerts on my phone,’ Jan said, and opened the living-room curtains.

‘But you don’t get the local gossip,’ Chris pointed out with a smile.

‘That’s true.’

Chris opened the door to the kitchen and Tinder rushed to greet him, tail wagging.

‘He’ll be wanting his breakfast,’ Jan said, joining Chris in the small kitchen.

She picked up Tinder’s food bowl and scooped in a measure of dry dog food. Chris placed the box of eggs in the fridge. He was at home here and knew where most things were from all the years he’d known Camile. Jan refreshed Tinder’s water bowl and then filled the coffee machine. One thing she, Chris and Camile all had in common was their love of decent coffee.

‘So, is everything OK here?’ Chris asked, as he always did when he visited.

‘Yes, fine, thanks.’

‘You’ve got plenty of coins for the meter?’

She’d told him about her scare when she’d first moved in.

‘Yes. I won’t do that again. I keep plenty.’

‘You can always phone me if you have a problem. You’ve got my mobile number.’