‘Me too.’ Fortunately, none of the airbags had deployed, although the engine had cut out. ‘Do you want to get out for a moment? I need to inspect the damage.’

Steph walked round and examined the car. Both the door and the rear panel were crumpled where she’d come into contact with the Audi. A big gouge ran from one end to the other and the wing mirror was smashed. Her boot was damaged too. ‘Ouch,’ said Steph. ‘My poor car.’

‘Is it still drivable?’ asked Sonia, standing alongside Steph.

‘I think so. If we can get back onto the road, we should be OK. Are you sure you’re not hurt?’

‘Just shaken up. I told you someone was following me. You being here has definitely got someone worried.’

Steph looked around; the road was deserted and there was no sign of the Audi. ‘We should leave as soon as possible,’ she said. ‘Do you want to go to the police?’

‘No!’ Sonia almost shouted the word. ‘No, not the police. I don’t trust them.’

‘But this …’ Steph gestured to her car. ‘This is at least intimidation and dangerous driving, and at worst attempted murder.’

‘The police won’t want to know. They never have.’

‘But there might be different officers now.’

‘No, we can’t take that risk.’

‘Are you saying you think the police are involved somehow?’ Steph shivered at the thought, knowing the implications of this.

‘I don’t know but I don’t want to go to them. Not yet, anyway. Look, I can pay to have your car fixed so you don’t have to claim on your insurance.’

Steph did appreciate Sonia’s offer, but at the same time she wasn’t entirely comfortable with accepting it either.

‘Please, I insist,’ said Sonia, as if understanding her reservations. ‘Get it to a garage, get a quote and let me know. I’ll transfer the money into your bank account and you can get it all done.’

‘It’s really kind of you,’ said Steph.

‘It’s the least I can do and it’s a small price to pay for my peace of mind, knowing that we must be getting close to finding out the truth about Elizabeth. If there was nothing to hide, then none of this would be happening.’

Steph couldn’t deny Sonia had a point and it was one she had been sifting through herself while she was standing there. ‘OK, let’s see if I can get the car back onto the road. Fingers crossed it will start.’

It seemed the damage was to the bodywork only, as the Fiat started on the first turn of the key, and after a tricky bit of manoeuvring to get out from between the trees Steph was able to drive the car up the bank and onto the road, where Sonia once more sat in the passenger seat.