‘No,’ she replied, standing up, sending the chair falling back onto the floor. ‘Why won’t you listen to him, Ben? This thing is following us! It’s not going to go away because you don’t fucking believe in it! How do you suppose it appeared outside my house? Can you explain that?’

‘I don’t know. He could have followed us. They’re obviously not as backward as Alec here thinks they are. Maybe he hid in the trunk? We did throw our bags in the back seat, remember? Or what if he was under the car the entire time? Or who is to say that the Tír Mallachts don’t own a fucking car?’

Sparling’s grotesque little smile grew on his face like larvae. Ben balled up his fists. He had never thrown a punch in his life. He wasn’t sure if he knew how.

‘Mr French,’ the doctor said collectedly. ‘As convincing an argument as you make, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the creeper doesn’t need a vehicle or whatever it is you’re alluding to in order to find his victims. He appears. It’s really that simple. And he will appear to you every night from here on out, waiting to be seen.’

‘What can we do?’ Chloe asked.

A bell sounded through the room. The grandfather clock tolled up the hours. Two o’clock, three o’clock, four o’clock, and there it rested. Night was steadily approaching. The October days never held the sun aloft for long.

‘You’re welcome to spend the night here,’ Sparling said, his shark eyes turning to Chloe. ‘I can have Lara prepare a room. Given its modifications, my home is the safest place for you right now.’

Had this been his plan all along? Ben had kicked around different theories as to why the man was so intent on terrorising Chloe with horror stories. Why else would a grey-skinned hermit go to all that trouble?

‘She’s not staying here with you,’ Ben said.

‘Mr French, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. The only reason I—’

‘Give us our money,’ he interrupted, ‘and we’ll be gone.’

‘Ben,’ Chloe said, ‘can’t we just—’

‘Chloe, please,’ he said, softening his tone, ‘trust me. We’re getting out of here.’

‘Tell you what, Mr French,’ Sparling said. ‘If you wish I can pay you the fee we agreed on right now. You and Ms Coogan can leave, and you and I will never speak again. However, I have another proposition for you – take the original fee now or I can pay you both double that amount on Monday. Of this you have my word. You know where I live and we do, of course, have a contract together. What do you say?’