‘It’s the same one Camile buys from the village store.’ She paused. ‘Chris, what animals live in the woods behind the cottage? Do you know?’

He stopped drinking his coffee and lowered his mug. ‘The usual. Why?’

‘I’ve never lived in the country before, so I don’t really know what is usual.’

He was looking at her carefully. ‘Grey squirrels, rats, mice, voles, birds.’

‘No, I mean larger animals.’

‘Why, have you seen something?’ he asked.

‘Not exactly. But Tinder hears something outside this window.’ Without realizing it, she’d cupped her hands around her mug as if drawing warmth from it, although the cottage was heated.

‘Like what?’ Chris asked.

‘I don’t know, but something has been coming up to this window at night, after dark when the curtains are closed. Tinder hears it and gets very agitated to be let out. Last night I saw something disappear through the hedge at the bottom of the garden and into the woods. I don’t know what it was, but it seemed quite large.’ She stopped. She’d decided not to mention that she’d thought it could have walked on two legs because she’d more or less discounted that after seeing the picture of the leaping fox. Neither was she going to say that Tinder had arrived back with cooked meat on his fur. Sitting here with Chris in daylight, it sounded weird, as if she was becoming paranoid being alone in the cottage after dark.

‘Perhaps it was a fox or badger,’ Chris suggested, taking another sip of his coffee. ‘Or it could be a dog or cat from the village. Occasionally they get lost and stray this far, but not often.’

‘Has Camile ever mentioned anything to you?’ Jan asked.

‘She might have done, I really can’t remember,’ Chris replied easily. ‘But it’s nothing to worry about. Forest animals are hungry at this time of year. They get brave and approach houses looking for food when they wouldn’t normally, especially foxes. I have to keep my chickens cooped because of them.’

Jan nodded. ‘Yes. We have foxes in the town. They’ve lost their fear of humans and can be seen in daylight foraging in bins. Some even go into people’s homes.’

‘But you didn’t see whatever it was that came here?’ Chris asked.

‘No. It’s a pity that motion-sensor light outside isn’t working. It would light the patio.’ She nodded to the window behind her.

‘It stopped working some time ago,’ Chris said. ‘I don’t think Camile used it, otherwise I would have taken a look at it for her.’ He drank the last of his coffee.

‘Would you like a refill?’ Jan offered.

‘No, I’d better be going. I’ve got a few jobs to do.’ He stood and took his mug to the kitchen, placing it in the sink as he always did.