‘Lorna,’ she whispers back, not sure why she’s whispering too. He gives her a strange look.

‘It will be with you in ten,’ he says, as he ends the call.

‘Thank you, I’m so grateful –’

‘Got to go, my lift’s here,’ he says, jogging towards a Fiesta that has just pulled up. She watches his car drive off, aware she’s completely alone now.

Thankfully she doesn’t have to wait long before the taxi arrives. She sinks into the back seat, with relief. It takes just fifteen minutes to get to Beggars Nook. ‘What number?’ he asks, as he drives through the village towards Saffy’s cottage.

‘Nine Skelton Place. Just up here somewhere,’ she says, waving vaguely. She can’t remember exactly where it is on this hill. She pays and gets out, the taxi driving off into the distance, the rear lights winking then disappearing as it rounds the bend, leaving her in total darkness. She feels she’s being swallowed by it. Why are there no streetlamps? She begins walking up the hill. Yes, it’s not far, she tells herself. There’s the lane that leads to the woods and the postbox. It’s two houses up from that.

She hears footsteps behind her and the back of her neck prickles. There was nobody around when she got out of the taxi.

It happens so quickly. A hand reaching from behind and over her mouth. Another arm clamping her chest, like a steel safety bar on a fairground ride. And she’s thinking that this can’t be happening in a little rural village like Beggars Nook. She can’t even scream – his hand is pressed down too firmly on her face. She tries to kick out but his arm tightens so that she can barely breathe.

He drags her backwards towards the lane. Towards the woods. She tries to fight against it, to dig her heels into the pavement, but he’s too strong. The heel on her sandal snaps and comes off. She’s so frightened she wants to pee. Stay calm, she tells herself. Stay calm, stay calm.

They’re in the lane now, between two houses hidden behind high hedges. Nobody will be able to see her.

‘Listen,’ he growls, his breath hot against her ear, ‘if you do what I say I won’t hurt you.’

He’s going to rape me, she thinks. As long as he doesn’t kill me. Don’t kill me, she silently pleads. She can’t leave Saffy. She’s about to be a grandmother.

‘I need information on Rose Grey.’

She’s so shocked that, for an instant, she forgets to be frightened. This isn’t some random attack. He knows her mother. She recognizes his voice.

She can only nod.

‘You need to ask her where she’s buried the evidence. It’s important. If you don’t ask her I’ll hurt your daughter.’