Steph considered what Sonia had told her and she had to admit, she found Harry difficult to read herself. She wasn’t always entirely sure what he was thinking. Sometimes he hid his true emotions and thoughts behind those pale blue eyes of his. What Sonia had said wasn’t far off what Harry himself had said about Conmere. Steph knew he didn’t feel at home there and he certainly didn’t feel comfortable about being back, but why was this? Was it just because of the unhappy memories it stirred up, or was there guilt?

‘What do you think Harry feels guilty about?’ Steph asked.

Sonia gave a half-laugh. ‘What do you think? Either directly or indirectly, he played some part in Elizabeth’s death. And if he wasn’t responsible, then he should have protected her, he was her husband. He should …’ she paused to wipe away a tear ‘… he should have loved her more.’

Steph didn’t know what to say so she simply reached out and gave Sonia’s hand a comforting squeeze, allowing Sonia time with her own thoughts and emotions.

Steph took the road at a steady pace – she wasn’t familiar with this part of the Lakes and was relying on her satnav to guide them back to Kendalton Station. She looked in her rear-view mirror as a car came up fast behind them.

‘Bloody hell,’ muttered Steph. ‘Does he want to get in my boot?’

Sonia immediately turned in her seat to look at the car behind, and then back the way they were going. ‘He’s very close,’ she said and Steph could detect an apprehension in her voice.

‘I’ll pull over when I can and let him by. He’s obviously in a hurry.’

She alternated her gaze from the road ahead to the rear-view mirror. The car following them was a black Audi but apart from that Steph didn’t know what sort. The sun visor in the Audi was down, partially obscuring the top of the driver’s face, while a pair of sunglasses and a scarf hid the rest of it. Steph couldn’t even tell if it was male or female but the driver was edging the Audi closer and closer to her. Steph scanned the road ahead for a passing spot, but there was nothing. Suddenly, there was a crunching sound and her car jolted forward.

‘He’s bumped us!’ exclaimed Steph, touching the brakes. ‘What an idiot.’ She began slowing down but the Audi bumped them again. ‘What the …?’

‘Don’t stop!’ yelled Sonia. ‘Drive faster!’