‘Shall I make you a hot drink?’ Chris asked as they went in.

‘No, thank you.’

‘So where’s this film?’

He was standing next to her as she pressed play on her phone. She watched his face, but it gave nothing away. ‘Hmm,’ was all he said. ‘It’s rather dark.’

‘But you can see them, can’t you?’

He nodded.

‘Well? Who or what are they?’ she asked, and played the video clip again.

‘I’ve no idea. I could ask Camile if she has any idea.’

‘Ask Camile!’ Jan exclaimed, astonished. ‘Why are you trying to normalize what clearly isn’t normal at all.’

‘I’m not. I’ve no idea what you saw.’

‘And what about that person in the background?’ Jan said, her anger growing. She stopped the video at that point and showed Chris.

He looked more closely at the image. ‘Perhaps it was Bill Smith from the village. He sometimes wanders after dark and could easily have come down your sideway. Let me have another look.’

Jan passed him the phone and watched his expression as he studied the image. Tinder was still barking.

‘I’m going to take it to the police tomorrow,’ Jan said.

Chris nodded. ‘That’s your choice, but can you let Tinder out now? He’s getting very distressed up there.’

Jan went upstairs, annoyed by Chris’s reaction. Here she was, showing him evidence of something incredible and he was trying to rationalize it! She opened her bedroom door and Tinder shot out and downstairs. By the time she returned, Chris was in the hall ready to go.

‘I can’t tell if it’s Bill or not,’ he said, handing back her phone. ‘I’ll check on him on my way home. If he’s not in, I’ll let the police know. It’s a cold night to be out. Are you all right to stay here tonight?’

‘Yes. Shouldn’t I be? I’ve nowhere else to go at this time.’

‘You can stay with me if you like, I have a spare bedroom.’

‘No, I’ll be fine,’ Jan replied stiffly.

‘Give me a ring if you change your mind, and I’ll speak to Camile tomorrow. I’m sure there’s an explanation and there’s nothing to worry about.’

Once he’d gone, Jan closed and bolted the front door.