Owen stood up too and righted the chair. He indicated for Elizabeth to sit and walked round to his side of the desk, taking the opportunity to pick up the telephone and pens he’d knocked over in his temper. Elizabeth took a moment to study him. The fight had definitely left him. The coward had frightened himself. She judged it safe to sit back down and resume their discussion.

‘Not sure how I’m going to explain the bruising to my neck,’ she said.

‘Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something,’ said Owen, with no trace of remorse.

He was probably only sorry he hadn’t finished her off, thought Elizabeth. She cleared her throat. ‘You know what needs to be done and it needs to happen by next Friday, otherwise I’ll be sending a copy off to everyone; that includes the press and anyone you know on social media. So are you going to do it or not?’

‘Doesn’t look like I have much choice in the matter.’

‘No, it doesn’t.’ Elizabeth stood up. ‘Mind you don’t lose that memory card, now.’ This remark sent Owen into a panic as he tapped his pockets and frantically scanned the floor before swiping up the device from under his desk. Elizabeth gave the most saccharine smile she could muster. ‘See you later, Owen.’ She couldn’t resist waggling her little finger at him again.

‘Fuck you!’ shouted Owen.

Elizabeth slammed the door behind her to deflect the paperweight Owen had thrown after her. It hit the door with a thud. She poked her head back round the door. ‘Temper, temper.’ Then this time, leaving the door open, she sauntered back across the yard to the house.

Chapter Twenty-One

Conmere, Sunday, 12 May, 1.10 p.m.

Steph took a quick shower and, once dressed, packed the rest of her clothes into her suitcase. Although she didn’t have to be out of the room just yet, she wasn’t taking any chances by leaving her possessions unattended again. She just didn’t feel comfortable in the lodge now, despite the change of locks.

As she hurried along the path towards the car park and rounded the corner of the main house she glanced up, and saw Pru Sinclair standing at the French windows that opened out onto the lawn. Pru smiled and waved in her direction and Steph returned the gesture. As she did so Harry appeared at the windows next to his mother. He gave a small frown and nodded towards her case.

‘I’ll be back later!’ she called. Without breaking stride, Steph carried on out of range of the watchful eyes and into the car park. She had just loaded her car and put the keys in the ignition when Harry appeared at the driver’s door. Steph let out a small yelp of surprise, before opening the door.

Harry put his hand on top of the door. ‘Changed your mind?’